Vice President Joe Biden gave one of his best interviews since he has been in the White House on Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC program, where he expressed why progressives need to get energized about this election, “Our progressive base, you have, you should not stay home. It, you better get energized. Because the consequences are serious for the outcome of the things we care most about.”
Here is the video from MSNBC:
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Biden explained in clear terms what is at stake for the Democrats this November, “So, I think they’re gonna– I think– we’re gonna take it very, very seriously. It’s a big mistake not to take it seriously, number one. Now, number two, what I’m doing, I’ve been in to over 80 congressional, and Senate, and gubernatorial races. And one of the reasons I want to be on your show is to tell the progressives out there, you know, get in gear, man. First of all, there’s a great deal at stake. I’ve been around the Senate a long time. We fought to regulate tobacco. We fought for hate crime laws. We fought to make sure that kids get insured. We fought for all the things that we finally got done in one year.”
The Vice President explained to progressives why this election is so important, “And they’re all at risk. If they take over the House and the Senate, don’t kid yourself, they’ve made it really clear. Pete Sessions said they’re– excuse me, Congressman Sessions, when asked what would they do if they took over the House, he said we’d have the exact same agenda. And look there– there’s a lot at stake here. And– and our progressive base, you have– you should not stay home. It– you better get energized. Because the consequences are serious for the outcome of the things we care most about.”
Biden is sure to raise some progressive anger by daring to mention that this administration has actually accomplished passage of real live legislation, “And I didn’t mention half the stuff we’ve gotten done. You know, look, it’s– I think when Barack got– and look, this– this is one exceptional public figure. I mean, Barack Obama, this guy is amazing. But think about it. I think there was– he– he did so well, won so big, I think a lot of people thought, “Well, man, it’s just gonna like fall out of the sky. What he brought out of the sky, down to earth, were really significant progressive goals that have been met. More to do. More to do. And so, I think it’s time for our base to say, “Hey, man, take a look. This opposition is for real.”
Blue Collar Biden also hit GOP on their hypocrisy on the social safety net, “And as you’ve even said on your show that Biden seems to be swinging a lot out there. Now, I’m– I– I’m ready for this fight. And what I do when I go into these districts where these Congressmen, Republican Congressmen vote against this health care. I say, “Look, the choice is clear. I want Republican So-and-so, Congressman So-and-so, explain to the people in his district, who lost their jobs through no fault of their own, because of the financial chicanery of Wall Street. Because of this– this Ponzi scheme they had masquerading as a policy. Tell them why they should not get unemployment insurance. Every district they say, “Oh, no, no. We’re not– we’re not against unemployment insurance. We’re not against it. We’re not against making sure that there’s COBRA or that they have health care. We’re not against it.” When you press them, they’re not against it.”
Even though most progressives are allergic to discussions about tax cuts, Biden explained why the issue of the Bush tax cuts is critical to the middle class, “Here you have Mitch McConnell offering– talk– talking about the deficit. Offering a tax bill that the Washington Post said today, if it were to be passed, tax cuts for the very wealthy and, if it were to be passed, would create a hole in the deficit bigger than the Recovery Act and the health care bill combined. Let me put this in perspective. We want a middle class tax cut. If you’re making $50,000 a year and you’re a family of four, you get $2,100.”
He continued, “That’s the difference between being able to have meat a couple times a week. Being able to pay your utility bill. Making sure you keep your– $2,100 matters. You know where 50 percent of the tax cut for the top bracket go? And that’s $350 billion? The people whose average income is $8.3 million a year. And they’re gonna get a $350,000 tax break. What are they gonna do with that? That they couldn’t do already? But yet, somebody, a family of four, making $100,000, they have two kids in school. They get a $4,100 tax break. It matters to them. It matters. I want this fight. I want this fight. “
This was one of the best interviews that Biden has ever done, and the credit in no small part goes to Maddow, she asked questions that allowed the Vice President to go into depth, but she did not let him wonder off topic as he is prone to occasionally do. After reading this transcript and watching this video, if Democrats still don’t get why it is important to go out and vote this November, then they truly are completely clueless.
I know that the media narrative has been that Democrats are not going to vote this November because they are angry at Obama. This is a nice story line, but it is not true at all. The answer for Democratic apathy is that the victories in 2006 and 2008 have left many Democrats stuffed and satisfied. Nothing makes a base hungrier than losing. Democrats are not angry. They have grown lazy and complacent. This is not uncommon. In fact, it is predictable. Political parties and their supporters in both parties usually grow disinterested after winning.
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Bill Michtom
Sep. 16th, 2010 at 1:31 am
The idea that this regime would tell progressives–the drug using idiots–that we have a lot at stake, is disgusting. The entire country is at stake as Obama gives the country to the financial industry, the medico-industrial complex, the death merchants. And it wants our support?
Why didn’t they think of that when they were passing a mandated-30-million-new-customers-getting-very-little health “reform” bill?
Maybe they should have considered returning the US to the rule of law rather than “looking forward.”
Perhaps, stopping the invasions and bombings of multiple countries would increase our national security.
Possibly, investing adequate money in jobs programs would make progressives more enthusiastic about voting for Dems.
Just thinking on pixels here.
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Shiva (Moderator)
Sep. 16th, 2010 at 11:31 am
“Obama gives the country to the financial industry, the medico-industrial complex, the death merchants. ”
I find it most interesting you would use that interesting piece of writing. Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and others state most emphatically that Obama is totally anti-industry and anticorporate. And I wonder why you think the progressive would be drug using idiots?
The health reform bill reduces the deficit and allows millions to have insurance who didn’t get it before, or couldn’t get it before.
I find it interesting you bring up jobs, with the Democrats are fighting hard to get Republicans to vote for small business loans. I think you should also read the CBO report on Obama stimulus initiatives that have created millions of jobs.
You aren’t related to Jamie are you? he says a lot of things that don’t make any sense too.
Although I do agree with you concerning stopping the bombings. I suppose that’s important to you now that a Democrat is in office.
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Piter
Sep. 16th, 2010 at 2:19 am
Do more than pray, get everyone you know to register – and then make sure that they all vote on November 2nd.
If everyone on reddit that cares about politics does this, the dems will win. That’s all it would take in a mid-term election.
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Serra
Sep. 16th, 2010 at 2:20 am
Believe me I am. You may have seen my posts. I certainly have seen yours. You post some good ones. This is not an election of issues. If it were the dems would win hands down. The republicans won’t even say what they are for. They have no plan. At times I have been disappointed in Americans. Not because of what they believe, but because of why they believe. The history of McCarthy age is repeating itself. I rememeber in grade school asking myself how could people be so stupid to believe this crap. Now I have my answer. It’s called fear.
I am glad to see the dems are finally fighting back. The one issue they can’t pass up is what they need to start refering to as the “Obama middle-class tax cuts.” Stop refering to them as Bush tax cuts. Obama has had to take ownership for all of his blunders, it’s about time he start getting credit for the successes.
But they have to be stead-fast in presenting them only for the middle class. If they get fillibustered, it will republicans doing it. Then all of them will expire…, which in reality wouldn’t be all that bad. But the GOP will take the blame.
Anyway, you got me into campaign mode so I’ll shut up now.
Keep up the good work!
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Anne
Sep. 16th, 2010 at 9:23 am
?Some of us became complacent after the 2006 Democratic wins and after Obama won the presidency in 2008. What a lot of people didn’t think about was the determined obstinacy and obstructionism of the Party of No, aided and abetted by a few Democrats. Even as a minority, they have managed to sidetrack a lot of important legislation. The last 2 years have been instructive in demonstrating the importance of each and every vote, and that one man cannot do it all alone. I, for one, don’t need to be “enthusiastic” in order to vote for my best interests. For all the rhetoric about how being a Washington “outsider” is an automatic plus, as opposed to being an “insider” being a deficit, that depends on a lot of factors. If a long-term politician has been acting in the best interests of his/her constituents, that’s a plus. If an “outsider” shows an ignorance of national and national issues, as well as a propensity for being divisive, that’s a negative. In any case, both the VP and Ms. Maddow have been explicit in explaining just how much is at stake. We can either vote in our best interests and continue or improve onthe good that this administration has done, or we can slip back into an even more untenable position than the Party of No has already placed us in.
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dani
Sep. 16th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Biden rocked tonight. No matter what issues you have with the dems they are fighting for us financially and they are fighting for human rights. Only whiny children would stay home this fall and not vote. The country needs all of us to vote Dem.
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Shiva (Moderator)
Sep. 16th, 2010 at 11:35 am
it’s very clear that the Republicans are just saying no even on issues they agree with. The whole healthcare plan was one of their proposals from some time back. How could they possibly be against it? One of their own people proposed it.
If there were truly political differences here I could understand the Republicans saying no when it is appropriate for them to do so. But the fact that they are saying no on everything and trying to undermine everything in the government by using Fox news and other outlet’s it is obvious that they have no concern for the governing of this country.
Mr. Biden’s interview was excellent, I watched it twice on Rachel’s show and I was very impressed with him. Very calm and to the point
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Julia Kay-Grace
Sep. 18th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I suggest that the issue of unemployment should be re-framed. The problem at hand is that the national need for infrastructure that is repaired and modernized is critical. Also, we urgently need to replace fossil-fuel dependent electric power with solar and wind power; also the grid, itself, must be improved. Our transportation modes must be improved so that many fewer private automobiles are on the road and many more seats on affordable and efficient public transportation and roadways for bicycles are available.
Repair parts for automobiles (including “American-made” ones) aren’t made here! We’re dependent on China to manufacture the largest part of our electronics, computers, clothing, and automobile repair parts.
Many generic pharmaceuticals are not made in the good old US of A; they’re made in other countries, some of which are in the Far East.
Neither the private sector, nor the public sector is stepping up to get these jobs done for our beloved country. Nobody with any sense is interested in, “make work” that mimics the “New Deal” whose aim was to put people to work (doing anything) in order income into consumers’ hands. So, the problem is not, “to create jobs.” The problem is to, “get ‘er done!” And getting the work done will employ people.
Also: last week a couple of “Op Ed’s” (and Thom Hartmann) referred to the fact that the second-in-line to Rupert Murdoch at News Corp/Fox News is Saudi Arabian investors! How is it possible that anti-Islamic kant is being shouted out through the mouth of Fox News, unless it suits the diplomatic purposes of Fox’s investors?
Does anybody think that Machiavelli was joking?
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