Chicago Sun-Times Washington bureau chief Lynn Sweet told a Chicago radio duo this morning that Sen. Joe Biden was not referring specifically to Barack Obama in his now-famous comment at a fundraiser that the Illinois senator would be "tested" by a crisis in the first six months of his administration. (h/t e-mail tipster Rose Wagner)
From the October 22 Don Wade & Roma Show on WLS 890-AM in Chicago (audio here, fast forward to about 2/3rds way through):
LYNN SWEET, Chicago Sun-Times: It turns out that the Republican National Committee spent more than 150,000 [dollars on Gov. Palin's wardrobe].
DON WADE, co-host: Wait a minute. It's hard to focus on a story like that when Joe Biden is warning that we're going to have an international crisis if Barack Obama is elected and nobody wants to talk about that. Nobody's asked Joe Biden what do you mean by that?
Story Continues Below Ad ↓SWEET: Actually, I think he was asked for a follow-up on that.
WADE: He was?
SWEET: That's certainly a meaty subject too.
WADE: Meaty?! I mean, he says that Barack Obama's response to the international crisis is going to be perceived as wrong and we're going to need your support within the community because the polls are going to go into the toilet, we're going to need your help because he's going to respond wrong. What does he mean by that?
ROMA: What do think he's predicting?
SWEET: Okay, what do I think Biden is predicting?
ROMA: Yes.
SWEET: Well, I think whoever is the new president will probably have-- I, I think this is not Obama-specific.
WADE: Oh yeah, it is. He specifically talked about the 47-year old.
ROMA: A young, 47-year old-
SWEET: Yeah, I know he said, but that's what I thought, I don't think it's Obama- or McCain-specific.
WADE: Wow. Gee, Lynn, that's-
ROMA: It was to his supporters. Did you read the verbatim of it?
SWEET: Yeah, actually, I'm one of the few people that posted the whole thing on my blog so people could read the whole point on it. I'm not saying it isn't worth discussion. I'm just-
WADE: Well, how did he get the insight into what Obama's response would be that would be perceived as wrong? What would be that response, I mean he must know something, right? That's what it would indicate. I dunno. Well, we'll read more about it.
SWEET: Right. And this one, I don't want to conjecture here. Ask me about something more about that I am used to talk about, money, politics.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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Comments Policy
Is she emplyed?
October 22, 2008 - 13:12 ET by The DistributistSWEET: Right. And this one, I don't want to conjecture here. Ask me
about something more about that I am used to talk about, money,
politics.
Or shopping... The woman is a lying liar. Or abysmally stupid.
"Modern man is staggering and losing his balance because he is being pelted with little pieces of alleged fact which are native to the newspapers; and, if they turn out not to be facts, that is still more native to newspapers." -GKC
Do you ever wonder if Biden
October 22, 2008 - 13:22 ET by MillerTimeWarpDo you ever wonder if Biden says things cause he got stuck "touring" with the Clintons ? If you ever listen to him, its one of two things: He's either incredibly stupid and says whatever comes to him, or he has a deep hatred for his position right now. At one rally, he said Hillary was better qualified to be VP than himself.
I would rather be a Conservative nut job, than a Liberal with no nuts and no job
Biden's been the dimmest
October 22, 2008 - 13:33 ET by HockeyKidBiden's been the dimmest bulb in the Senate's chandelier for three decades now--why should he stop now?
...but even the dimmest of
October 22, 2008 - 13:50 ET by MillerTimeWarp...but even the dimmest of bulbs, eventually cracks.
I would rather be a Conservative nut job, than a Liberal with no nuts and no job
I wonder if he's out to sabotage the election.
October 22, 2008 - 16:40 ET by RoverWe conjectured before Obama secured the Democratic nomination that Hillary would rather see McCain win that Obama, because with McCain in office she could run in 2012.
I've been wondering for a while if Biden, who's said she'd be a better candidate, isn't secretly dropping these bombs intentionally in order to throw the election.
If so, I wish he'd do a better job.
Or, of course, he really could be this stupid.
At any rate, "journalists" are trying to spin his gaffe by pretending he said something different from what he said.
Rover
What a bunch of B as in B,
October 22, 2008 - 14:00 ET by motherbeltWhat a bunch of B as in B, S as in S!
If he meant that, he would have said "like new Presidents are tested."
Biden specifically said he would be tested "like young John Kennedy."
He meant because of who and what he is, not just because of being the new President.
He also said "brilliant 47
October 22, 2008 - 14:37 ET by Chris NormanHe also said "brilliant 47 year old senator" - geez, I think he was referring directly to Obama.
McNotObama '08
Let's not let anyone forget
October 22, 2008 - 17:17 ET by RoverLet's not let anyone forget that JFK REALLY dropped the ball, internationally, for the first couple of years. First the Bay of Pigs. Then Kruschev took him to school in a summit meeting. Giving the Soviets the impression they could put missiles in Cuba and JFK would not have the courage to order a forceful response. Leading us as close to nuclear war as we ever came.
Let's hope brilliant, young President Obama is smarter than JFK. I doubt it.
Rover
Biden's International Crisis vs. Palin's Clothing Cost
October 22, 2008 - 14:19 ET by RpeggioSo obvious and unbelievable how biased the MSM is now...they don't even try to hide the bias anymore.
#1 Biden made another huge gaffe by saying what he said and #2, what he said is very true and should be reported by the MSM and #3, it should be a serious consideration when folks vote for President, take Biden on his word and vote for McCain to avoid an International Crisis generated for the 47 yr old inexperienced Obama.
Obama = Carter = 12% Inflation, 8% Unemployment if not worse...
I don't get Liberals.
October 22, 2008 - 14:20 ET by mrbucketI don't get Liberals. They claim how great Barack and Joe are, but then have to reinterpret and rexplain nearly every single word or action that leaves the Messiah 2008 camp.
Seriously, when was the last time I had to be explained what McCain or Palin ACTUALLY meant? Gaffe or word of wisdom, generally speaking, whatever McCain or Palin says - is what they mean to say.
START building your Bomb Shelter
October 22, 2008 - 14:24 ET by TWOTIMETUNAThe Government is the Enemy
Hey Joey!
October 22, 2008 - 14:27 ET by MightyMouthEveryone knows you were trying to equate Obama to Jack Kennedy! But like the doofus you are, you screwed up yet again!
What a pathetic campaign that has to have the MSM run interferance for the man who could be 1 heart beat away from the Presidency!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Biden's comment
October 22, 2008 - 14:47 ET by GOPG8RWhat I don't understand ... Biden not only said Obama would be faced with a crisis but he then went on to talk about their response to such a crisis. THAT is where the GOP should be targeting their message. Yeah, we know the next President will be tested. But Biden is already talking about how Obama will respond to it - and that it will be an unpopular response. What the hell is that about? Still a "hypothetical" test?
It's obvious what Biden is saying
October 22, 2008 - 15:29 ET by Smoking HotHe's threatening America. If America elects Obama, Biden is guaranteeing an international crisis. Just exactly what Biden is planning to do internationally that will cause a crisis he is not willing to share, and that's the scary part. How can we possibly protect ourselves from such a diverse set of threats? Almost anything is possible, from Biden leaking nuke secrets to Iran to Biden puking on the prime minister of Japan.
Maybe the key word here is "test." Test, test what? Nuclear test? Test cricket? Test.org is based in Germany. Obama spoke in Berlin. Oh, I think we're getting somewhere...Who can help with the next piece of this puzzle? Our lives are depending on breaking the Biden Code!
Or not.