Biden engaged a large South Lounge crowd for over two hours
by Abby Rapoport
Joe BidenÕs favorite word is ÒliterallyÓ. Literally. And his event would have, quite literally, been a disaster if he werenÕt so good. Let me explain.
As well over 200 people crammed themselves into a South Lounge initially set up for 80, the campaign announced that ÒJoeÓ was late for the 6 p.m. talk. To entertain us in his stead would be his sister, Valerie Biden Owens.
It was, as one person said, like going over to a friendÕs house when theyÕre not home, and getting stuck talking to their mom. At first itÕs okay. Stories of overcoming adversity (ÒIt was absolute anguishÓ) and telling us to give her brother a look (ÒJoeÕs just one of the bicycles you can take to get where you want to goÓ) offered a sweet sense of a younger sister supporting her sibling through thick and thin.
But as the minute hand began to approach seven oÕclock it steadily went downhill. Weak and vague attempts at discussing policy were bad enough, but when she resorted to asking students if anyone had parents in elected office, I heard a whisper behind me of ÒSo awkward!Ó
In one last ditch effort to save a crowd that, by some miracle had largely waited an hour, the campaign announced they were ordering pizza.
Suddenly applause rose up as Joe Biden briskly walked into the room. ÒIÕm the late Joe Biden,Ó he said with a smile as he apologized to the crowd. ÒDonÕt leave, pizzaÕs coming.Ó
His sister, staff and all those involved in the awkwardness seemed to disappear.
His speech was quick and detailed, and the entire audience seemed rapt with attention. In less than thirty minutes he managed to combine rhetoric with detailed policy. He mentioned the binary of experience versus change. ÒThatÕs the debate that the two candidates with money talk about,Ó he said amidst laughs.
Biden emphasized his extensive history in foreign affairs, his voice ranging from loud and passionate to quiet and controlled. He was particularly eloquent when discussing torture. ÒTell me where it says in the gospel that torture is alright,Ó he thundered.
He ended his talk on a decidedly personal note. The senator told his story of losing his wife and infant daughter at 29, leaving him a single parent, and his recent health problems.
And then came the single most impressive partÑmore than ninety minutes of questions. People ranged from broad questions on why Republicans should vote Biden to details on the Blackwater scandals.
When the pizza arrived, Valerie magically materialized to tell Biden to let us eat. ÒIÕll tell you what IÕll do,Ó he said. ÒI donÕt want anyone to think I wonÕt answer their question, so IÕll stay here.Ó
Biden took his time with each answer, at one point going on a four minute tangent on fissile material before addressing the question on global warming. Normally when a politician goes on a tangent, they get lost, or use it to avoid the actual question. But Biden just seemed eager to tell his audience the breadth of the issues.
Finally, at close to 9:30 p.m., he told everyone he had to go. His sister and his staff reappeared suddenly and he asked them if there was any pizza left. When he heard no, he shrugged to the crowd. ÒThatÕs what happens when you have eight million dollars instead of 100 million dollars,Ó he said.
But Monday night, despite initial hiccups, the audience forgot about BidenÕs long-shot status and lack of funds and found themselves in a real conversation with a presidential nominee.
http://web.grinnell.edu/sandb/caucus/v124i11-caucus-3.html
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