I've noticed a surge of interest in Joe Biden

[PatSeg]

this past week and it isn't just at DU. There are a lot of undecideds and independents who have been relatively quiet until now and I sense that more will follow.

I went to another board that has a Biden thread. It is usually relatively quiet and the same people posting. After last night's debate, new people popped in with a fresh perspective about Biden. I've even encountered a few disillusioned republicans crossing over because Joe Biden represented their idea of an honest and competent prospect for president.

I think this is snowballing in spite of the media's constant focus on the candidates with the most money and star power. I think people are unwilling this time to let the media pick their candidate and I'm anticipating some surprises in the next few months.

[jillan]

1. I am hoping this surge will lead to lots more $$$$$ and higher poll numbers.

After what he accomplished in the Senate yesterday, he deserves it.

[PatSeg]

2. Ah yes

Money tends to follow the poll numbers!

Which leads to the age old question: Which comes first higher poll numbers or money? We'll see shortly.

[ribrepin]

5. Go Biden

Money's tight in my household...you know, that great Bush economy; but I'm going to try to donate a few bucks.

[gateley]

7. Well I'm pretty much flat broke and I send in the most embarrassing teeny

amounts when I can, and I have faith that if enough of us do the same, we're going to make a difference.

I know your 'few bucks' will be greatly appreciated.

And thanks!!

[murbley40]

35. small amounts add up

and the campaign will appreciate whatever you send. I do the same thing.

[jillan]

9. $5, $10 donations add up when enough people send it in.

And the number of donors means alot too.

[gateley]

13. Agreed and agreed. nt

[gateley]

3. I think the more people get a chance to listen to him and hear his plans, the

more they're realizing what a viable candidate he is. He inspires trust.

It occurred to me after last night's debate that he's about the only one who REALLY let's his personality come through. A nod to Gravel here, too, on that score. He's not afraid to show his feelings and emotions. For the most part, the others present their "presidential candidate" persona.

With Biden, you know what and who you're going to be getting -- no surprises.

I think that authenticity comes across.

Whatta guy!


Edit. Proof before Posting. Proof before Posting. Proof before posting.

[PatSeg]

4. So have you decided who you're going to vote for???

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[gateley]

6. Bwah! nt

[ribrepin]

8. I've listened to Ed Schultz for years

But today he really pissed me off...talking about how there were only three candidates in the Dem race. He said Gravel should get out and implied everybody else should too except Hillary, Obama & Edwards.

I guess Ed's decided who the worthy candidates are.

[jillan]

10. Well I can't wait to hear him eat some crow when Biden wins the nomination.

I am feeling very optimistic today :P

[gateley]

14. He's to be pitied for his lack of comprehension regarding the truth. Poor Ed. nt

[PatSeg]

26. He seems to be leaning toward Edwards

I really expected more from him. Very disappointing.

[pa28]

11. He's a worthy candidate.

Biden is intelligent, charismatic and articulate. I hope he sticks around and I'm surprised he's what the media has categorized as "second tier".

[jillan]

12. I keep waiting for his poll numbers to move.

I'm not giving up. The more that people get to know him, they will come around.:thumbsup:

[gateley]

16. Don't forget last night's pre and post MSNBC voting -- his 'after' positive

rating rose significantly. That ripple will make it's way to and be reflected in the polls soon. I'm just feeling it.

[PatSeg]

27. I can hear the pundits now

"In an expected surprise surge, Joe Biden defies all odds..........."

We won't be surprised, however!

[mrigirl]

38. I'm not expecting much from the polls now

I think when the Iowa and NH results come in Joe will poll much higher then the media anticipated. Only then will the media give him the coverage. They'll ignore him until then. And then when he wins Iowa believe me- they'll be shocked!!! He'll be the hero. (Or then again if he really beats Hillary the media may hate him even more. You never know how they'll spin it.)

[gateley]

15. We're trying our hardest to help ensure he sticks around and his star will shine

brighter and brighter.

You nailed it with the charismatic -- he truly is although I've never heard that attributed to him. He's also got a killer sense of humor!

I think the media classified him thusly because the"top tier" burst on to the scene with lots of money and the excitement that this was the first time in our history there was a woman and an African American with a very real chance of winning the election, and Edwards was the acceptable white guy -- young, energetic, rich. And they may have automatically relegated Biden to the second tier because his first run for the White House was unsuccessful and it could be they assumed it would be the same this time around.

They'll end up eating their words. I just know it.

[mrigirl]

40. Me too! I can't believe he's considered 2nd tier

that's ridiculous to me. Especailly w/ his career and the amount of experience he has.

[gateley]

17. K&R nt

[Steve_in_California]

18. Most of your Biden supporters missed this.

Most of you missed this in all the excitement of this past Wednesday. An Iraqi named Muhammed joined the group. I had posted to their website information about the BBB amendment and provided a link to this site. I think Muhammed’s comments say it all and will bring a deep sense of gratification to all who support Senator Biden. I will now copy to this entry comments made on the Biden for President blog as the BBB amendment was being voted on.

…….

Steve Fallon Says:

September 26th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Anyone watching C-Span2 right now? The senate is voting on BBB amendment.

Steve Fallon Says:

September 26th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Biden-Brownback-Boxer passes Senate with 78 “aye” votes. This is a watershed moment in American history. Congratulations, Senator Biden, and thank you for all your hard work for this country.

Mohammed Says:

September 26th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I can’t believe it! This is true right?

Jim Says:

September 26th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Yes. Well, 75 aye votes.

Mohammed Says:

September 26th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
The first realistic decision ever made in the West in regard to Iraq! Thank you Sen. Biden for doing your homework and understanding the history of my country.

[Jillian]

19. Steve - you are right - I did miss that.

Gateley - another Bidenite - posted about some woman from that part of the world that was also thrilled that Biden's amendment got passed.

[PatSeg]

28. That gave me chills

It really brings it all home for me.

[Jillian]

20. tsegat - I love ya - but ---

did you have to use 'surge'?

[PatSeg]

29. Couldn't resist it!

Of course we all know it is really an "escalation"!

[Awsi Dooger]

21. If I had been in a coma for 40 years and didn't know anything about the candidates

I would assume Biden was the frontrunner. He can say more with few words, always a unique trait.

True, sometimes those words tend to boomerang.

And when I take the online candidate matching tests, Biden inevitably winds up on top in my list.

[PatSeg]

30. The boomerang effect

is what happens when someone takes chances and speaks honestly. If a candidate is the real deal, they usually can survive it. Meanwhile, the frontrunners tend to be too cautious, measuring every word. The voters can sense that and start to read between the lines. It becomes exhausting trying to figure out what they really mean.

Meanwhile, Biden has a long history in government. One can take his words and compare them to his background, and make a clear decision.

[cascadiance]

34. Will Joe help us fix and undo that horrid bankruptcy bill he helped put through for MBNA...

... and the other banks that help him and other DLC members get elected?

I don't think so. That's one other reason why I don't think he should be someone we should favor. If I'm looking that far down the chain of candidates, I'd much rather have someone like Kucinich.

[lyonn]

44. The bkcy. bill was a bummer, but

he certainly wasn't the only Dem to vote for it. If he is in the bankers' pockets, why are they not contributing to his campaign, his treasure chest is small.

[goodgd_yall]

47. Biden was one of 16 Democrats to vote for Bankruptcy Bill

25 Democrats voted against it, including Dodd. Dodd, to me, seems like someone we should be looking at more closely.

[w4rma]

22. It's too bad that Biden has spent his entire Senate career selling out Americans to big banks and

credit card companies. He's awful on economics.

[jberryhill]

24. It's too bad those banks are Delaware's largest employer....

....and showed up in the late '80's, which is hardly Biden's entire career.

[goodgd_yall]

46. Agreed n/t

[harrison]

23. A fewe weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Joe

Biden in person. He was impressive to say the least as he handled questions with great honesty, passion and aplomb. Out of all the candidates I have seen, he seems like the adult in the room. He has largely been ignored by the MSM which for some strange reason who has been all agog with Hillary/Obama. But Joe Biden is the real deal. And Joe Biden is electable. Despite Hillary's numbers I am not yet convinced she is electable.

At this point in history, we need someone with the experience of Joe Biden to get this country back to the rule of law and to reach out to the rest of a the world.

[PatSeg]

31. That's the same media

that is all agog with OJ, Britney, and Lindsay! We can't trust the media to pick our candidates for us.

[jillan]

42. Thanks for sharing that!

[saltpoint]

25. Experience and brains count for a lot after 6-8 years of clueless

stupidity and cruel incompetence.

Bush and his cronies have a lot to answer for. Biden is one of the uniquely qualified souls with many of the answers.

It would be a waste not to have Biden's brains and experience attendant on the crises we face as a country.

Whether as president or as Sec. of State -- whatever it might be -- he's imminently qualified and is owed voters' consideration.

Iowa caucus participants strike me as an informed, motivated, dedicated bunch. I believe they will have Biden on their radar shortly and that his polling begins a steady climb into the firt snowfalls.

[PatSeg]

33. Iowans are less inclined to pay attention

to the MSM. They watch the candidates "up close and personal". They often see things that the rest of the country misses.

[rucky]

32. The Iraq plan going through will be a big push for him.

Wait until the next round of polling.

[Mass]

36. After 6 years of ignorance, it is good to listen to an adult.

I have some issues with some of Biden's positions, but, when he speaks, you get the feeling he knows what he is speaking about and not just pandering to the crowd or trying to say the least possible.

Dodd and Kucinich are still my favorites and I wished they did better, but Biden at least gives the impression that an adult would be at the bar.

[PatSeg]

39. I've heard that before

People are ready for the "adults" to step in and fix the mess this administration has created. I think we all have issues with all the candidates positions, except for those who don't seem to really take any positions, always playing it safe politically.

We need an "adult" who can make tough decisions, listen to expert advice, work with congress for positive change, and negotiate with foreign leaders. We need more than rhetoric and campaign promises.

[murbley40]

37. K&R

[Forkboy]

41. I've noticed an organized surge in his suppoprters, too.

And I don't mean that as a knock on them.

I've also noticed that for the most part the Biden supporters are among the most civil and thoughtful out there.There's a refreshing lack of arrogance and sense of entitlement that's nice to see.

[jillan]

43. Actually we didn't organize. We just kinda found each other and

obviously hit it off.

Thanks for the compliments.

[PatSeg]

48. Thank you

What a nice thing to say.

As Pirhana said, we sort of found one another and it keeps growing. Fascinating phenomenon. I'm still stunned.

[goodgd_yall]

45. I'm not happy with 2 of his votes. One being for DOMA.

The other was his bankruptcy law bill. He voted against a constitutional ban on gay marriage, but then even Republicans voted that way. I'd want to hear him discuss the reason for his vote and admit it was a bad vote before I would support him.

[Jillian]

49. I bet if the DOMA vote was today he would vote against it.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Joe_Biden_Civil_Rights.htm

That was 10? years ago, he has changed on that issue.

That bankruptcy bill? I won't defend him on that one. I understand why he did it.
But still wish he wouldn't have.

[PatSeg]

50. Anyone who has been in the Senate or House

for many years has voted at one time or other for bills we may not agree with. This should not discount their entire body of work. Anyone who has only served a short time has a very limited record to scrutinize and often are given a free pass. It is easy to say "I wouldn't have done this or I would have done that.", but we will never know.

[demommom]

51. kick

[demommom]

52. kick