What was Vice President Joe Biden referring to when he said, "there’s still a 30-percent chance we’re going to get it wrong." President Obama said he couldn't remember. "Not surprisingly," the president said to laughter.
(LARRY DOWNING/REUTERS/FILE)Photos (1 of 1)
Obama on Biden: I don’t know what he’s talking about
By Jimmy Orr | 02.10.09
Come on, is this anyway to treat your wingman?
Would Maverick do this to Goose? Maybe to Iceman. But to Goose?
Top Gun references aside (although they are timely, as Val Kilmer wants to be New Mexico’s governor), when Barack Obama had a chance to clear Joe Biden’s name last night – in front of the whole nation – he passed. Some would say the president threw Joe under a bus.
Prediction
Last week we told you about Joe Biden’s really candid remarks to House Democrats that “If we do everything right … there’s still a 30-percent chance we’re going to get it wrong.”
He was discussing challenges facing the administration. Frankly.
Linkage
It was a catchy sound bite, sure. But it wasn’t getting much traction until CNN’s Wolf Blitzer incorrectly said the vice president was specifically talking about the economic stimulus package.
Playing the video clip to Obama adviser David Axelrod, Blitzer said, “That’s not very encouraging. A one-in-three chance that even if the president gets everything he wants, it’s still going to be wrong?”
Axelrod had no idea what Biden was talking about and quickly shifted the conversation.
Video everywhere
Although the conservative blogosphere took great delight in Blitzer’s conversation and quickly posted the video everywhere, most of the mainstream media held back, including the Washington Times.
But, just like the urban legend of waking up in a bathtub full of ice only to discover your kidneys have been removed, the idea that Biden was predicting a 30 percent failure rate for the economic stimulus bill is what stuck.
Question
FOX News reporter Major Garrett asked the president last night what Biden was talking about.
“Can you at least reassure them it wasn’t the stimulus bill or the bank rescue plan – (laughter) – and if in general, you agree with that ratio of success, 30 percent failure, 70 percent success?” he asked.
Answer
Here’s the chance for the president to set the record straight. To vindicate the vice president. After all, as Rod Blagojevich said, “The truth will set you free.”
Instead, the president offered, “You know, I don’t remember exactly what Joe was referring to,” he said to laughter. “Not surprisingly.”
“But let me try this out,” the president said valiantly trying to come up with something. “I think what Joe may have been suggesting, although I wouldn’t put numerical – I wouldn’t ascribe any numerical percentage to any of this – is that given the magnitude of the challenges that we have, any single thing that we do is going to be part of the solution, not all of the solution.”
Hieroglyphics
What?
Exactly. Quotes are far less inflammable when they can’t be deciphered.
Will the VP follow suit? Probably not. Unless, just like the campaign, they forbid him to ad lib.
To be continued…
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4. MIke | 02.10.09
According to the Senate Banking Committee, the Bush administration paid $254 billion last October for bank stock worth $171 billion on the dates of purchase. That’s $78 billion worth of air.
Where is Homeland Security when you need them?
5. lawrence | 02.10.09
Why don’t you phony press people go away. Totally out of content, misrepresented blown up and stupid. Go back to smelling chairs.
6. rickl | 02.10.09
So Joe says we have a 30% chance of getting it wrong. Even if this is just a gut feeling, instead of based on “math”, I appreciate the candor. I would be interested to hear what personal confidence the Republicans have in their proposals.
7. marie | 02.10.09
This is the problem with Obama choosing Joe Biden instead of Hillary. Biden cares more about how white his teeth are that day than watching the words that come out of his mouth. He’s a loose cannon, always has been, but once again, we girls aren’t allowed to play in their little reindeer games, so Hillary was pushed to the back of the bus, and the pretty white guy gets the job. This is just getting started. I still think Michelle had a lot to do with keeping Hillary out as 2nd fiddle….hope she’s happy with her choice.
8. RHarrisonScott | 02.10.09
This incident reminds me of the time Dwight Eisenhower was asked if he thought Richard Nixon would make a good president. His response? “Give me a week to think about it.”
9. James B | 02.10.09
Jimmy Orr: This is news? This is blog worthy? This is even worthy of our attention? Hardly. A press that finds this sort of thing relevant is useless to the American people. As has been said, please go sniff chairs.
10. John NYC | 02.10.09
“But it wasn’t getting much traction until CNN’s Wolf Blitzer incorrectly said the vice president was specifically talking about the economic stimulus package.”
If there is a story, it is in how much of our time the press wastes by continually interjecting false assertions into all these debates. The stuff is complex enough without the incompetence and fiction.
11. jay from TN | 02.10.09
This is the most biased, one-sided, closed minded “news” site I have ever seen. It is clear that this entire site panders to the large number of ignorant, closed-minded (and possibly racist) conservatives who are angry that a black man is President. Grow up and realize that sometimes listening to an alternative opinion can lead to great advancements for society.
13. Start Loving | 02.10.09
Biden may in fact be our new, #1 National Security Risk. I wonder if he has Turrets Syndrome - he cannot or will not resist shouting out whatever stupid thing comes into his mouth. This mistake, Biden, should be put on notice, and fired when it happens again. His is a responsible job. If he can’t or will not do it, for National Security he must go. Fast.
14. .357 Magnum | 02.10.09
Not only does Obama not know what Biden is talking about, Biden doesn’t know what Biden is talking about; Obama doesn’t know what Obama is talking about, and I don’t know what any of them are talking about.
The “stimulous plan” will serve only to help the banks, and in the long run it will collapse. Bad paper is bad paper. Just ask the Washington Compost.
15. Grover Domingus | 02.10.09
dottydo said “In the photo attached to this story, Biden looks like an American President, and Obama looks like a person who suffers from N.P.D.”
You know who looks like a real American president? Tom Cruise. Are you gonna vote for him in ‘12?
17. jeffb | 02.10.09
What is 30% ‘wrong’ defined as? If it turns out something else might have been better in retrospect? I would be truly impressed if 30 % of any of the plans or even individual elements worked. With difficult decisions with many possible outcomes, I don’t think 70% of what i decide works out 100% the way I hoped and might be viewed as ‘wrong’.
18. David | 02.10.09
Hypocrites are so amusing. Personally I find it refreshing when each side of the political spectrum takes on a little heat for their own stupidity. Everyone makes mistakes, speaks out of turn, stumbles and bumps their head…and the press is there to let us know when it happens. For 8 years we heard of the stupidity of one side…now we get to hear about it from the other.
19. To Marie | 02.10.09
Marie, but remember the VP position is not much of anything. Hillary has a REAL job & power to go with it, not just a prop for O bla bla bla ma.
20. F. Peña | 02.10.09
A lot of interest in some off hand comment.
Where was the press analysis when Dick Cheney was lying for the past eight years?
And Bush wouldn’t dare hold a press conference where real questions were asked.
At least this President has the fortitude to face the press.
21. hammer | 02.10.09
Hey 357 Magnum, it’s spelled stimulus. Nice try. You are doing really good today. Keep up the good work.
22. sambo | 02.10.09
This kind of idiocy must be addressed before this Nation becomes a third rate banana republic. Impeachment will help slow down the bleeding.
23. DR | 02.10.09
Start Loving said:
“This mistake, Biden, should be put on notice, and fired when it happens again”
“for National Security he must go”
Biden says their is a 30% chance that Obama is going to fail on something, and suddenly he is a national security risk who should be fired? Get a grip on yourself.
24. Membery | 02.10.09
Some things are complicated in life, economics being one. If you’re one of the people out there who doesn’t understand economics, then don’t bother trying to understand the stimulus package. If you want to understand it, Google “Keynesian economics”. Some don’t agree with the theory, but it is at least an approach that may work. You have to understand that NO ONE and I mean NOBODY has any real proven way of getting us out of this mess.
25. Put a bullet in my brain.. | 02.10.09
..Most of the comments on this article are absolute proof that the human gene pool has scraped the bottom of the barrel too much, and now we’re scraping the barrel itself.
#3 If Biden’s boss is an idiot, and his boss is the American people, what does that make you? Don’t think about it too hard, I wouldn’t want you to damage your last brain cell.
#7 Hey idiot, Hillary Clinton is the Secretary of State. /dingdingdingding
#13 Have you forgotten about all the quoteworthy things that our last president said? Were you whining for him to be removed from office as well?
Please, just put a bullet in my brain. It isn’t worth living knowing there are so many people like you three geniuses on this planet that are passing on your diluted, worthless genes.
26. johnnyr51 | 02.10.09
OK…If Obama and Biden are idiots, please, then what are Bush and Cheney…
Master mega idiots?.. Please, smell the **** that 8 years of Neo-conservatism has gotten us into….It would be miraculous if Obama solved 70% of the legacy
Bush has saddled this nation with. Miraculous.
27. gabe | 02.10.09
Not only does Obama not know what Biden is talking about, Biden doesn’t know what Biden is talking about; Obama doesn’t know what Obama is talking about, and I don’t know what any of them are talking about.
The “stimulous plan” will serve only to help the banks, and in the long run it will collapse. Bad paper is bad paper. Just ask the Washington Compost.
hey jackarse, the last stimulus bill wnet toward banks, you know the one under bush, and how much of that went into CEO bonuses. This stimulus is geared more towards public project spending. schools, roads, etc… surprising republicans dont like anything to do with the public good or education. republicans argue that the money should be spent more on “creating jobs” i.e. giving it to banks so they will lend to small businesses. but that just doesnt work. the idiot republicans got us in this mess with 6 years of terrible leadership. the last 2 years of democrat controlled congress was spineless groveling to the now obsolete GOP. at least Obama is trying to reach across the board something the reps have never done. time for you to watch and learn.
28. Blue Hen | 02.10.09
As natives of Delaware actively involved in local politics, my family has had many dealings directly with Mr. Biden over the last 30 years and comments like this make me shake my head. If you knew him like we do, you’d be ashamed of yourself. Why don’t you come out from behind your ideology and actually try learning more about the real Joe, instead of making a stupid, knee-jerk comment like this? Mr. Biden is a lovely, kind, honest man, and a political rarity in that he does speak the unvarnished truth, which tends to make a lot of sheep nervous. I’d rather have the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable–the last eight years are proof enough.
+++++++
3. onemilmhz | 02.10.09
Joe Biden is an idiot. But then, so is his boss.
29. J Rome | 02.10.09
Just remember who asked the question. FAKE news!!!!!!! If President gets 70% of what we need to get out of the mess left by the bUSH/chaney gang, and only suffer 30% loss of the constitution rights we had before bUSH took them away.
30. .357 Magnum | 02.10.09
Dear Gabe and Hammer:
Who read the column and comments to you?
I always keep up the good work; all of my work is always good. Sometimes a type here and there, but no one’s perfect, except you and your retromingent behavior.
I’d rather go shooting with Dick Cheney than driving with Ted Kennedy.
The stimulus plan will fail, but not as bad as the failures you two are.
32. david z | 02.10.09
We all know that there is a 30% percent chance at least, that this thing could fail… we just didnt want to hear it so candidly. We are in unprecedented times. A 70% success rate sounds great in these circumstances.. lets take it!
34. Eric | 02.10.09
Does anyone have any proof the stimulus plan won’t work, or will work? I feel we would be saying the same **** about whomever is in the presidents chair, regardless of political stance. Is it not our job to keep our leading politicians in check? I see nothing wrong with questioning motives, but trying to find what reporters claim is “news” is getting quite old. Anything to sell a newspaper, or click a link. I just wasted my time with this article, but hopefully not this comment if “they” decide to post it.
35. Mary | 02.10.09
For F. Peña who said, “And Bush wouldn’t dare hold a press conference where real questions were asked. At least this President has the fortitude to face the press.”
Oh really? Check out this little factoid: “…it was interesting to see President Obama call on reporters from a list of predetermined correspondents that included left-wing blogger Sam Stein from the Huffington Post and just missed liberal radio host Ed Schultz, who had a front row seat last night. Throughout George W. Bush’s presidency, this practice of using a crib sheet was also exercised; however in Bush’s case, the liberal media elite lambasted him for it.” You can read the rest at http://tinyurl.com/cm43te.
36. David | 02.10.09
The right-wingnut would only be satisfied if President Obama were to resign tomorrow… even then they would complain that’s he’s being arrogant about it.
Just have to write-off these nutters as dead-enders in a dying party.
The more leadership President Obama shows the angrier these people will become.
I’m frankly worried about our President’s safety.
37. earl yates | 02.10.09
the President should have discovered Biden is a loose cannon before he selected him as VP. Now he has to figure out a way to plug the hole.
38. feudi | 02.10.09
President Obama has been ridiculing Joe Biden since the election…makes one wonder why he ever picked the guy. I guess Biden has served his purpose and **** spend the next four years in Europe.
39. John S. | 02.10.09
onemilmhz said:
“Joe Biden is an idiot. But then, so is his boss.”
But onemilmhz, YOU are his boss (along with the other several hundred million of us), right?
40. The Rodentman | 02.10.09
«The more leadership President Obama shows the angrier these people will become.»
I’m still waiting for any leadership at all.
41. F. Peña | 02.10.09
Sorry Mary but your link, like your ideology does not work.
http://tinyurl.com/cm43te is 404 - not found
I am amazed how people can still defend an administration full of traitors.
From outing an active CIA agent and her contacts, to pillaging our treasury to getting us into an unjustified war while abandoning the pursuit of the true villains.
Now their spokesman, Rush, in a moment of honesty wishes for the failure of this administration, and by extension millions of poor and middle class Americans. Absolutely shameful.
How can you sleep with this ideology in your head?
43. Alice | 02.10.09
With a name like dottydo I can only expect rude comments on important issues instead of sound thoughts. I think we are blessed with better odds than 70% if the politicians in Washington will look at the big picture and work for the American people as Obama is inspired to ask instead of thinking we work for them. I don’t think Obama is ridiculing Joe Biden at all. I just don’t think we have to jump up and down everytime the VP makes a comment out of context and especially when, as media admitted, we don’t even know to what he was referring.
44. Ed Mertex | 02.10.09
Yeah, Obama definitely gave the wrong answer.
My candidate, Cynthia McKinney, is looking better than ever.
The republicans and democrats are both ill.
Is it too late for the green party to save our souls?
45. Refmentor | 02.10.09
For all the Americans replying to this question, keep in mind that all things done in process of getting bills passed. HAS TO GET THROUGH THE HOUSE AND SENATE. BOTH PARTIES GOT US HERE, ITS NOT A DEM OR REP PROBLEM, ITS A (((US))) PROBLEM. Quit pointing fingers and get it right, if this does not work then those that voted for Obama will blame Bush, and visa versa. But remember who you sent to the House and Senate, that has not done their jobs for more than 16 years. ALL of them are rich so what do they have to worry about. SO WE BLAME THE ADMIN IN POWER FOR THE SCREW UPS. Ha Ha they could care less.
46. Saint Peter II | 02.10.09
Biden is refreshing and the people who trash him either are so used to hearing spin that reality threatens them or they are already starting the water boarding of Obama. Thirty 30% chance of getting it wrong is a low estimate when we consider that Obama’s regime consists of the usual beltway suspects of whom it’s fair to ask, when was the last time this crew got anything right? see picture of the new train at Union Station, the Wall Street Treasury Building Shuffle at http://www.saintpeterii.com
47. mike | 02.10.09
70/30 is optimistic and it doesnt matter who is in charge at this point. If the gop has ideas beyond ‘vote no’ lets hear it. Then again we heard it for 18 months during the campaign didnt we. then we voted.
We are down to ‘govt spending’ as a fiscal tool and when times were Good we were in a big hole from the war. Now we are truly hosed and the world is hosed with us. Be nice to the chinese they are going to own the rest of us soon.
48. jason w. | 02.10.09
Mr. Obama is pretty smart by choosing a dumb VP, so he looks smarter now. If he picked Hillary, he would look more like a VP himself.
49. Paul Stewart | 02.10.09
What a waste of time to discuss this petty issue. Both men are grown ups. Obama was just trying to defuse the kind of stupid talk that is going on here…. Biden was just speaking his mind, which is dangerous in politics because it gets people making it into something derogatory to suit their liking and attack lines…. What a waste, why don’t people get real and focus on the real issues. Biden had a point, Obama reinforced it and made it more subtle and less attackable by those inclined to make an issue where none exists…
50. MGump | 02.10.09
This website’s comment submission section, at the end of these comments, states: “Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.” I suggest that whoever is in charge of making the decisions as to which comments are published needs to review the phrase “personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published” and apply it to their publishing decisions.
There are many personal attacks included in these comments as well as in many other website comment sections. Attacking others opinions by name calling is counter-productive. It produces no solutions but serves to be divisive, muddies the waters and directs the discussion away from the original subject and any possible, productive resolutions or advances on the topic being discussed.
I applaud websites that refuse to publish comments that are vindictive and contain personal attacks on fellow commenters. If more websites would refuse to publish comments that use this kind of attack rhetoric then maybe people would learn that submitting personally degrading comments is fruitless. Those people who choose to degrade others intelligence through the use of such language need to learn to be civil and express their differences of opinion in more constructive ways. It is fine to hold opposing views and I am all for expressing those views but would encourage all who do so to explain their viewpoint and support it with rational arguments or offer sensible reasons why they disagree with another’s point of view.
51. LoriLou | 02.10.09
I think the SNL skit was right…a lot of you Hilary supporters are liberal bigots…your rhetoric is telling…Joe is being Joe…about time we had some reality in the WH. Obama is distinctly presidential in poise, in knowledge and in communication excellence.
52. Dan | 02.11.09
To comment on what # 7 said
I certainly believe that one of the most powerful people in the world that can have a very positive impact on this country and world politics is the secretary of the state. And Obama actually got it right putting her in that position.
54. Len M | 02.11.09
OK, I have earned a PhD (admittedly, neither in political science nor oratory), so let me try to decipher this for the pea-brains in media whose physical attractiveness evidently is far more important to their corporations’ bottom line than their analytic capability. Ever hear of chaos theory, idiots? No, probably not - that’s much too much of an intellectual challenge. So let me parse Biden’s statement for you: No matter how much we plan, no matter how well we plan it, no matter how thoroughly we think we may understand the complexities of the situation, there’ll be something we DIDN’T take account of that’ll screw things up. Maybe not screw things up in their entirety (as in, for example, the bail-out package fails, period), but enough to have setbacks.
After 8 years of Bush, including “mission accomplished” and “misunderestimation,” having a politician tell us that we have to face reality is refreshing indeed.
By the way: every time you get in the car to go shopping (or walk to the stores, for that matter), there’s a finite probability that you’ll end up as a fatality. That thought won’t deter you from shopping for this week’s groceries, will it? Managing the political economy is much more fraught with uncertainties. But someone’s got to do it and, fortunately, the right team is in place, one that will not be deterred by uncertainties - even if these are as large as 30%.
55. waste of time | 02.11.09
people. reach down right now and feel that big seat cushion you’re sitting on. well guess what, it ain’t a cushion so get up and get back to work !
56. awed | 02.11.09
Gee Len, so you didn’t say what you got your PhD for. And oh, thanx so much
for your breakdown of the situation and we all appreciate your “its Bush’s fault” analysis Well done Len, you are obviously an intellucual of the highest order.
57. dottydo | 02.11.09
When Obama reacts to Biden, his complete lack of experience transforms into anger and lack of power. Abusive is a good word.
When Biden reacts to Obama, his number of years in Government and service to the people rises taking on a tough bulldog bite smile, with a clench on Obama’s rear end. He is just waiting for Obama to hand him the Country on a platter.
Obama doesn’t understand who he is dealing with, yet Biden understands fully who he is dealing with.
Obama only recently learned there are 50 States in the United States of America. Biden knows that.
58. Oengus | 02.11.09
Actually the odds of getting something correct or not are always 50/50.
The concept of creating capital or the treasury increasing the money supply is dangerously inflationary. If it works you are guaranteed higher fuel costs. I would not expect your home to increase in value, your neighbor cannot afford it under low risk financing terms.
We have congress and the senate that have average intelligence, they rely on experts that have strong associations within power networks. They want the profit machines turned back on, they do not care if less people can get access, as long as they and theirs can.
They are not addressing the root causes, over valued housing and the huge overbuilt financial markets that did it. They are not addressing the auto manufactures that keep selling high priced low fuel economy vehicles and the huge pension obligation they have, not from this generation from the last.
They are avoiding housing, it is the bankers they are protecting.
If we are about to release capital, then do it to correctly value assets and lower priced homes are better than higher. The cost of construction is not the same as the cost after financing. A 100 unit apartment building would cost $6M to build, that $133.00 a month per unit to recover the costs over 30 years. That called a break even. Breakeven are ways to regulate inflation and keep banks honest. That a real number for 100 units at 600 SQ FT each at price of $100.00 per sq ft to build and easily done for less.
If the government spends money it should be recoverable, zero interest loans into the private sector. For 100 units of low cost housing, to produce a car that gets 30 MPG and costs less than 10K?
The banks should be able to transfer high risk debt, they should and they should shrink in size as they do.
The high risk debt should be evaluated separately by region, by parcel. Some could be refinanced and some may not. If people really cannot afford the home, they loose it. Then if low cost housing is available they come back in but only if they qualify and for what they qualify for.
Government does not offer low cost housing, they offer housing that is low income. The concept of income restrictions is self defeating. Subsidizations are inflationary, breakevens are not they are deflationary they can be used when shortages exist and lower prices. That reduces the costs of living, if done in good conscious it can reduce soft costs and define hard costs.
59. Salty Troubadour | 02.11.09
Call me dense, but somehow I don’t understand how one can suggest that the President threw “[the Vice President] under a bus.” Is it a possibility that he did not want to speculate on the precise meaning of a particular sentence the VP made in an address to Congress. Is this insightful political commentary?
Let’s pretend, for just a moment, that it was about a specific policy decision. In fact, lets even pretend VP Biden’s comment referred to the stimulus bill.
Now, Let’s try to figure out what this would mean. Does it mean that there is a “right solution” and he’s only 70% sure that his bill is that solution? Does it mean that the bill is the “right solution” but three’s a 30% chance that uncontrollable forces might stop it from working? Does it mean that the bill is imperfect and it’s success has a inherent amount of uncertainty? Why?
Here’s a harder question: What did he mean by “success”? Is slowing the acceleration of job loss success? Is returning employment rates to a specific level success? If so, how fast does that recovery of jobs have to be to call a policy a success? 4 months? 1 year? 3 years? 5 years? Would the VP call a stimulus successful if it resulted in an immediate increase in employment but created another problem that wouldn’t be realized for another 15 years?
Seriously were think even he got the number 70% from? There’s a 43.21% chance you’re right.
But, lets take a step back again from our little game. Wolf Blitzer made this up. There is no story.
Apparently, nuanced policy questions are not “inflammable” enough to be newsworthy. But that itself is hardly news. Please, continue with the celebrity news, bad metaphors, and insinuated ad hominem arguments.
61. LOL | 02.12.09
Hilarious. The same libs here that are all “offended” by putting the foolishness of Joe Biden in a spot light were the yo yo’s that constantly poked fun at Bush from morning ’til night for 8 years. As ususual, libs can dish out the dirt but can’t take any coming back their way.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. dottydo | 02.10.09
In the photo attached to this story, Biden looks like an American President, and Obama looks like a person who suffers from N.P.D.
Mr. Biden , save us from this whacky man and his ideas.