Iowans are talking about Biden

[jillan]

An increasing number of Iowa Democrats are saying that Mr. Biden's strategy — spending more time in the state than his competitors and securing 14 endorsements from state lawmakers who tout his decades of experience — might just yield him a third-place or better finish on Jan. 3.



Such a surprise showing would earn the senator invaluable free press coverage, a fundraising boost and the potential to translate an Iowa blessing into the presidential nomination


But Mr. Biden has yet to yield major results on paper. His numbers are marginally increasing in the polls, although he ranks far behind Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.



Still, voters in all parts of the state are increasingly dropping Mr. Biden's name as their preferred candidate. Unprompted, most cite his foreign-policy credentials as superior to the senators leading the polls.



In northern Iowa at a Clinton event, it was Howard L. Larson: "I'm leaning towards Joe. He's a good man with an awful lot of experience."


After the candidates all spoke during the Jefferson Jackson Dinner, it was Molly Clause of Winterset: "Joe Biden stood out because my top issue is Iraq and I like his experience."

"Too many people are looking for an American Idol," says Marge Himes of Sioux City. "I trust Joe Biden to get us out of this mess."



Mr. Biden also is able to connect more directly with caucus goers in part because his events are intimate. In Iowa City this past summer, he gripped a woman's hand and looked her in the eye while answering her question about regime change. He has a habit of touching foreheads with voters when he's trying to make a point.



Voters also laud him as a straight shooter, something he trumpets before every audience. He told a group of Hispanic voters this fall that he would always speak his mind because "win or lose, I'm going to do this on my own terms."



http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/NATION/112080052/1001&template=nextpage

[1corona4u]

1. I see that.... eating grin at the bottom...

PS. I think Joe will be peaking at the right time...

[Lucinda]

2. Very good to hear! Thanks for posting it.

[stray cat]

3. my relatives in Arkansas like Biden over any others

[jillan]

4. That is great to hear!!

[stray cat]

5. I was pleasantly surprised how well he was liked

If people thought he could win the nomination I think things could change pretty quickly. The people I've spoke to like him because he seems like a straight shooter rather than a politician.

[1corona4u]

6. Exactly...

I'd take that, over anything else currently in the offering.

[Progress And Change]

7. that is why i like biden

[1corona4u]

8. I think he would be so cool as prez...

-comes out to give the state of the union address; "hey look man, we gotta get this straight"....LOL total up front, no BS, no sugar coating it...

[Progress And Change]

9. haha i just got a big grin when i read that

If anyone would do that it would be Biden! :clap: It is a shame $$$ are so important in the process right now but I think even despite that if Biden can get to 3rd in Iowa he will have a shot. Wasn't Gephardt the front-runner in Iowa at this point in 2003? He wound up fourth so perhaps one of the top three, especially given the Clinton-Obama attacks, will falter and give Joe an opening.

[1corona4u]

10. Yeah, and I spend a lot of time...

looking at what Iowan's are saying....more than what the polls say, and I think he might just do better than I originally thought...heck, he may even come in 2nd. He's really building the support there...

[Progress And Change]

11. the polls will be key for him

He would have a lot more support if he was viewed as electable (in the primary) by more people and the way for him to rectify the problem is to reach the double digits in Iowa polling, which he seems on his way to doing. I bet he is the second choice for many Iowans who are holding back because of the "wasting your vote" issue.

[1corona4u]

13. Exactly...

I said it a long time ago, he can win, people just have to stand up for him. I know he could beat ANY republican, and anything they try to throw back at him, could be slammed right back into the dark holes they dig it out of. and, obviously, since he has always worked across the aisle, he'd get a lot of republican votes. One of the things I like best about him too is, he is not polarizing at all.

[Steely_Dan]

22. He is currently...

at 10% in SC. A good sign of things to come.

P

[jillan]

12. Ladies and gentlemen, as my grandmother used to say .....

The truth of the matter is.....

It would definitely be one entertaining Sotu!

[ronnykmarshall]

15. My parents, like me are hard core Hillary supporters.

But Joe Biden impresses them and me as well.

He's my second choice and that's happened over the last few months.

Obama was my #2, but he and Edwards are probably tied for #3 at this point.

[ronnykmarshall]

14. I'm tellin' ya Biden is catching fire.

I think he's going to move up. I don't think that Iowa and NH will prove anything.

There's more to come in down the line.

[1corona4u]

16. Yeah, it's just a matter of him hanging in....

after Iowa though...the money was coming in gang busters over the last week, but now seems to be a steady 20K every 24 hours...I am doing my part...kicking it up to $200.00 a week on Monday..

[ronnykmarshall]

17. Good luck to you and Joe.

If my girl drops, I'll be proud to join Joe's team.

[1corona4u]

19. Thanks, and right back at ya!

[gateley]

18. If only people would give him a listen, a real listen, they'd be impressed. nt

[greenman3610]

20. my initial impressions of Biden were formed 20 years ago, when

I thought he was a blowhard.
Last year, a friend who is a Wash Post reporter said,
"Watch out for Biden.', I thought they were nuts

Every time I've seen him this year, I've been terribly impressed.
Maturity is a great thing.

[1corona4u]

21. Isn't it though.

;-)

[Steely_Dan]

23. He is definitely NOT...

the same man he was 20 years ago. He has matured and kept his ego in check. I'm proud to be a supporter of his.

-P

[jillan]

24. He talks about that too.

About how before he was so full of himself, and that's why he ran for President the first time.

Now he wants to be President because he believes he can get this country back on track.

[monmouth]

25. He's very popular amongst senior voters, the ones who actually go to the polls..n/t

[PatSeg]

29. In the SC poll, Biden got 40% of the 18-29 year olds

He crosses all lines easily.

[surfermaw]

26. Wonder if they have heard, he wanted Kerry to nominate joe trader LIeberman for VP.

[K Gardner]

27. You need to get your facts straight with the other poster... was it Lieberman or McCain?

Which was it, and can you substantiate it? Because Biden-bashing, or bashing anyone, with rumor is really quite pointless. Just throw something out there and HOPE it turns out to be true? Give me some facts and I'll give you a debate. Give me a rumor and you get nothing but disrespect.

[1corona4u]

28. The maturity level on this board is

unbelieveable, isn't it? Hard to believe these people are adults.

[PatSeg]

30. Hmmm, how did this post get on the Oprah/Obama board?

:shrug:

[adapa]

32. Best laugh all day....Thanks!

[PatSeg]

34. You're most welcome

Got home from work and the first thing I usually do is go to DU. I thought I was in some alternate Universe! I come here to escape people like Oprah. God I hope Dr. Phil doesn't endorse anyone. Then I'll know the end is near.

[maximusveritas]

31. Washington Times? Really?

I guess you've got to find good news where you can find it, but that's one place I would not go to.

[adapa]

33. Waiting for him to pull in front of Richardson

I noticed Biden JUST got listed in the NH polls on the real Clear politics site

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/nh/new_hampshire_democratic_primary-194.html