Vice president gets warm welcome during Beloit visit
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BELOIT — Seventh-grader Oscar Martinez-Cruz wanted to make sure he looked good for the vice president of the United States, even if it meant a last-minute shopping trip the night before.
The Aldrich Middle School student dressed in a blue shirt with a black tie and coat, complete with a lapel pin, to see Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign stop Friday morning at the Beloit middle school.
“I was excited to see him,” said Oscar, who had hoped to get a picture with Biden.
Beloit firefighter Steve Warn introduced Biden to more than 1,100 people who packed the gym.
Biden reviewed the administration’s accomplishments from ending the war in Iraq to creating jobs.
“And yes, we did rescue the automobile industry,” he said to cheers and applause.
“The American people, they have such a clear, clear choice in what direction they want this country to move in this election,” he said. “There’s never been a starker choice in my lifetime.”
Biden, dressed in a blue shirt and blazer, spoke for a half hour from a teleprompter in front of a large American flag, flanked by American and Wisconsin flags. A giant “Forward” sign hung over the top of one set of bleachers, while a hand-painted Obama/Biden sign was taped to the wall above the other bleachers. The gym scoreboard lit up with 20:12 on the clock and the score at 11-6.
The visit was Biden’s sixth to Wisconsin this year.
Penny Perkins of Beloit said she had a hard time sleeping the night before because she felt like she had won a Willy Wonka golden ticket.
She supports President Obama because he’s “for the little people,” she said. “I can see what he’s done every day.”
Biden had U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin join him at the lectern, introducing her as the next Wisconsin senator. Baldwin is running against former Gov. Tommy Thompson.
“We need help in the Senate,” he said. “Go get ’em!”
Boos filled the room when Biden brought up vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan of Janesville. Biden discouraged the booing, saying Ryan is a decent guy but someone he fundamentally disagrees with.
The vice president stuck mostly to script. When he mentioned he talked with Obama on Thursday night, one man in the crowd yelled, “Tell him we love him!”
Biden responded, saying not a day goes by that he’s not proud to be Obama’s vice president.
Elections come down to character, he said, because character is the most important ingredient to lead the nation.
“It’s clear who has character, and it’s clear who doesn’t have character,” he said.
Obama doesn’t mislead, and “says what he means and means what he says,” Biden said to a fired-up crowd that stood during much of his speech. Romney and Ryan are desperate and will say anything to win, he said.
“Folks, we need you!” he said. “Together we can win Wisconsin. If we win Wisconsin, we win this election!”
On their way outside, Beloit College sophomore Olivia Canizares and her friends couldn’t contain themselves after shaking hands and receiving kisses on the cheek from the vice president. Canizares was so excited she started dialing her mom on her cellphone to share her big moment.
The group got the last three tickets and eventually made it to the front of the standing crowd on the gym floor. Seeing Biden was amazing, Sara Sherrard said, noting his focus on women’s rights as being especially important.
The way Biden speaks makes his points clear, Sophie O’Connor said, and the way he “intellectually” defeated Republican talking points scored points with her.
Karen DePold of Janesville was excited when she heard about the local campaign stop. She wore a navy blue sweater with the letters USA across the front. She said she’s been on Facebook “pounding and pounding” her support for Obama and Biden.
“They’re probably tired of me on Facebook,” she said with a laugh.
“We’ve got to have these guys four more years,” she said.
The campaign provided about 100 tickets for students, Beloit Superintendent Steve McNeal said. Other students attended with their parents.
Students did not participate in the program, and school officials said the district takes no position on which candidate or party should be endorsed. A permission slip went home with the selected students to give parents the option to have their students not attend the event.
For many students, the visit was a tease as classes continued during the event.
“Can we pet the dogs?” one student asked security officials in a hallway before the speech.
Students clamored against classroom windows as Biden’s motorcade left the school.
A handful of protesters from Pro-Life Initiative in Rockford, Ill., waved anti-abortion signs with a graphic photo on the sidewalks. At least one woman shouted at the protesters, saying children shouldn’t have to see such a photo.
Nov 5, 2012 at 9:53 p.m.
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+1 trucks.....the gazette's reporting of biden's response and his actual response were two very different things. I realize that biden's blatent stupidity is something that is understood and simply brushed aside at this point, but if a specific response is made, I would expect a journalist to print that response accurately.....
Nov 5, 2012 at 7:58 p.m.
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Biden said "there's never been a day in the last four years I've been proud to be his vice president, not one single day." The gazette says "not a day goes by that I'm not proud to be his vice president "
Nov 5, 2012 at 3:29 p.m.
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trucksrus, what did the the Gazette change?
Nov 5, 2012 at 12:55 p.m.
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Hope Joe is out of a job on Wednesday. That will give him more time to go to the pool hall and play with his cue balls.
Nov 5, 2012 at 11:42 a.m.
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"donnaw
Nov 4, 2012 at 5:07 a.m.
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Biden reminds me of a Cheshire Cat who has had a lobotomy.
funny - Still think JOKER- just need some face paint.
Nov 5, 2012 at 11:36 a.m.
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IF the motto is "Forward "why is it just starting now? Why after 4 years have you decided NOW is a good time to move forward? Your late motto was "change" yep thinged changed didn't they- no better
Nov 5, 2012 at 7:55 a.m.
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Seriously wondering why the Gazette felt it was their duty to change Biden's words?
Nov 5, 2012 at 7:41 a.m.
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I am so sick of hearing Osama is dead and GM is alive. Al Queda is alive and well Benghazi that little issue Obama doesn't want to address proves that, he hasn't been pressed on it because he goes on the View or Letterman or calls morning Zoo radio shows... embarrassing. And GM is not saved if it is then sell back the shares the Government now owns in GM stock... oh that's right it would be sold back at HUGE loss of billions and billions because the stock isn't worth anywhere near where it was. One has to question wether it was bought at a legitimate value to begin with or was it just another example of crony capitalism... and yes Dems participate in that as well.
Nov 5, 2012 at 7:14 a.m.
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Clueless Joe was welcomed by his supporters, the CLUELESS. I suspect everyone there was supporting his and Obama's continued handouts. Take from those that have worked and give to the ones that would rather not work and let others support their pathetic lives. Real sad testimony of today's Democrats.
Nov 4, 2012 at 5:54 p.m.
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Apparently Biden's IQ slipped a few more points. In addition to saying he was in Iowa when he was in Ohio, then saying President Clinton when he meant President Obama, then getting Slovania mixed up with Slovakia. The funny part is the Dems in Ohio to whom he was speaking didn't even react to the fact that he thought he was in Iowa. Kinda gives idea of their IQ's too.
Nov 4, 2012 at 3:28 p.m.
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Mr. "Smirk" Biden.
Nov 4, 2012 at 1:57 p.m.
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This race is not as close as the left would have you believe. Media, I feel is trying to project it that way so the left will get out and vote.
To keep them engaged and to keep the right thinking it's over.
But really, they are no match for our outrage of Obama's miserable presidency. Mostly us women who have been so insulted in this campaign by the left. 2 More Days.
Nov 4, 2012 at 11:51 a.m.
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The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Ohio Voters finds Obama and Romney each with 49% support.
CAN YOU SAY ROMNEY LANDSLIDE?
Nov 4, 2012 at 11:48 a.m.
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WHAT? MINNESOTA ALSO MOVING TO ROMNEY? WHAT WILL THE LEFT DO IF THEY LOSE MN TOO? NOT EVEN REAGAN COULD DO THAT!!!!
Obama's 3-point lead in the Star Tribune poll is within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The poll was conducted from October 23rd through 25th.
The Star Tribune noted that Obama had an 8-point last month but said Romney has cut into the president's lead among women and has picked up support from voters that were previously undecided.
....Women and independents!
Nov 4, 2012 at 11:42 a.m.
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OH NO LIBERALS LOSING GROUND IN MICHIGAN TOO?
Dead heat for Romney and Obama in latest Michigan poll
Republican Nominee Mitt Romney 46.86%
President Barack Obama 46.24%
Can you say Romney Landslide?
Nov 4, 2012 at 11:40 a.m.
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WHAT IS THIS?
A Tribune-Review poll showed the race for Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes locked up at 47 percent in its final week. Romney was scheduled to campaign in the Philadelphia area on Sunday.
Can you say Romney Landslide?
Nov 4, 2012 at 11:35 a.m.
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46 vs 28? Let's measure Obama's lies when he's off the teleprompter. That's were we get our best indication of his true hatred for the American way.
Nov 4, 2012 at 11:25 a.m.
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mjoshep: If your links and quotes are correct that Romney lies 42% of the time and Obama lies 28% of the time, HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT OR VOTE FOR EITHER ONE OF THEM? I can't.
Nov 4, 2012 at 11:23 a.m.
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“There’s never been a day in the last four years I’ve been proud to be his vice president,” Biden appears to have told the crowd. “Not one single day.”
And the zombies in the crowd clap and cheer because they aren't even paying attention. Obama's voting base.
Nov 4, 2012 at 10:02 a.m.
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Since when is it a crime to be successful?
Where is the disdain for Herb Kohl, or John Kerry, or any of the Kennedy family?
Nov 4, 2012 at 9:27 a.m.
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There is nothing wrong with carrying some debt, as long as you are living within your means. Most people people at Biden's age are better prepared for retirement with less debt. The difference for him is he will get a government pension to live on. Also, he won't be on Obamacare, like the others in DC that will stay on their precious governement plan. Nothing like living off the taxpayer. How can anyone Democrat or Republican think that is ok?
Nov 4, 2012 at 9:13 a.m.
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FARMIN - Don't worry about the Biden money - take a look at Romney and his offshore accounts.
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2012/...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/19...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/elec...
Nov 4, 2012 at 9:09 a.m.
Nov 4, 2012 at 8:44 a.m.
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Farmin- If anyone has a mortgage, car payments, credit cards, etc. and not much in the bank, they too are backwards economically. Does that mean 2/3 of the American people loaded with debt are therefore untrustworthy too? Just wondering with your statement.
Nov 4, 2012 at 8:14 a.m.
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Politicians tell voters what they what to hear. I think their actions speak more than words. Wonder why our trillions of debt keeps growing? Check out the personal finance side of Obama and Biden. Interesting that at age 69, Biden is loaded with debt and a net worth of just $215,000 (assets minus debts). This guy can't manage his own finances, why should he come near our government's. Obama does not have the best situation either. Check it out - http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archiv...
Nov 4, 2012 at 7:46 a.m.
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Glad to see that DonNAW supports Mitt. You deserve him 100%! You are one of his Lemmings that follow regardless of his stupid statements and fabricated information. The most recent comment by MITT shows how out of touch he is. He still does not get it - Just like you.
Hurricane Sandy - duh mitt comment
MITT SAID ---> "CLEANING UP HURRICANE SANDY IS LIKE CLEANING UP AFTER A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME" - Without a doubt the words of someone that does not have a clue how serious this is and DONNAW suports someone like this...lol
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-d-ro...
Nov 4, 2012 at 7:41 a.m.
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WLSLady-
You are still saying Obama lies more than Romney, when fact checkers have proven the exact opposite: ROMNEY LIES MORE THAN OBAMA. Not surprising that you don't provide any source for your false claim.
Politifact proves that ROMNEY HAS LIED 42 PERCENT of the time while Obama has lied 28 percent, when comparing their latest comments.
So, ROMNEY IS THE BIGGEST LIAR! Case closed!
42 percent of Romney’s comments were lies.
28 percent of Obama’s comments were lies
(Total of all Mostly False, False and Pants on Fire rulings)
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
We can't trust lying Mitt Romney!!!!!!!!!!
Nov 4, 2012 at 7:37 a.m.
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Romney Can't Be Trusted, as Republican leaders, media and experts agree!
Gen. Colin Powell, a Republican and Sec. of State under President George W. Bush:
“I’m not quite sure which governor Romney we would be getting with respect to foreign policy.”
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/1...
Politifact: 42 percent of Romney’s comments in recent months have been false, much higher than Obama’s comments.
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
Salt Lake City Tribune, largest daily paper in Republican and Mormon-led Utah: “Romney (is) willing to say anything to get elected.”
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/550...
Rick Santorum, former Republican Senator: “This is someone (Romney) who doesn’t have a core. He has been on both sides of almost every single issue in the past 10 years. “
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av3q7-a-a...
FactCheck.org: “Romney distorts facts on Jeep, auto bailout.”
http://factcheck.org/2012/10/romney-dist...
Brit Humes of Fox News: “Republicans do not trust Romney”
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2...
Washington Post Fact Checker: ‘Four Pinocchios’ Ruling to Romney on Chrysler and China Ad
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact...
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an Independent:
“(Romney) had abandoned positions that he once publicly held. “
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/nyregi...
Nov 4, 2012 at 7:37 a.m.
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carlitosway
it is you who has "nothing but sadness" ahead.
If Obama gets another 4 years to totally ruin America, do you think you will be happy?
I will survive just fine, if he does. We have enough republicans who will make sure Obama answers to the American people for his mistakes and lack of concern for ALL people, not just democrats or union workers. Polling has consistently shown that about 50% of the American people oppose what Obama has done, is he going to only work for the 50% who agree with him?
Whether he survives this election or not, Obama and his administration will be undergoing continued hearings and probes. Not only the ones going on now, but numerous others. He has not been held accountable, but he soon will be.
Obama promised to "bankrupt" the coal companies, that is one promise the American people will not allow him to keep. Coal provides 87% of our energy, and Ohio coal miners will take it to the polls. Thousands of coal miners have been put out of work by Obama.
Nov 4, 2012 at 6:09 a.m.
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yada...your far left wing sources are laughable!!
Nov 4, 2012 at 6:07 a.m.
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"Who's the Bigger Liar Romney or Ryan"
Obama takes the prize!
Nov 4, 2012 at 6:04 a.m.
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Regarding Comment by CARLITOSWAY ON-->"lie after lie then go listen to Romney and Ryan" - yes - they have a HUGE problem telling the truth.
"Who's the Bigger Liar Romney or Ryan"
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heat...
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/article...
http://bluemassgroup.com/2012/08/ny-time...
Nov 4, 2012 at 5:55 a.m.
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DONNAW - You are really naive and do not know what is going on around you. If Mitt would be in office we would have to probably send our brave soldiers to ANOTHER Republican WAR - Romney = Bush with 15 of his FOREIGN POLICY ADVISORS BUSH.
http://www.policymic.com/articles/3662/w...
ROMNEY can't think his way out of a box and has hurt the American worker.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/us/pol...
http://www.seiu.org/2012/11/more-on-bain...
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/10/31/b...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/29...
ROMNEY OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/us/pol...
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2012/...
http://thehill.com/video/campaign/236661...
A N D - - My favorite MITTY dumb quote on the Hurricane. Mitt had to clean up one time after a high school football game so he compared that to cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy.
MITT ----> "CLEANING UP HURRICANE SANDY IS LIKE CLEANING UP AFTER A HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-d-ro...
Nov 4, 2012 at 5:44 a.m.
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Carlitup...and your buddy Harry Reid said that if Romney is elected he won't let the senate work with him on anything. You Dems have relentlessly criticized the Repubs for not working with Obama, even tho he had two years of controlling both sides of the legislature, but now lets hear you criticize Reid.
Nov 4, 2012 at 5:32 a.m.
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Donnaw that would be what you remind some of... You are so right winged it is pitiful. Wislady there is nothing but sadness for you, DO YOU EVER WATCH TRUTHFUL NEWS???? Prayers for both of you that you get the help you need. The truth be told is that the Obama/Biden backers are American People who know what candidates STAND WITH THE PEOPLE and those that stand with Jeckle and Hyde have not a clue as to VALUES, HUMANITY, AND LOVE OF THIS COUNTRY and the Hard Working Class that will not be bought. Biden has great messages for all to hear, IF THEY WANT TO HEAR TRUTH!!!!! IF YOU WANT LIE AFETR LIE THEN GO TO LISTEN TO ROMNEY AND RYAN.
Nov 4, 2012 at 5:07 a.m.
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Biden reminds me of a Cheshire Cat who has had a lobotomy.
Nov 4, 2012 at 5:06 a.m.
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What a slippery, stupid clown Biden is. You are right Kleej, our children and grandchildren will pay for this administrations failures and bad decisions.
Nov 3, 2012 at 10:12 p.m.
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He’s “for the little people"...?
Sure he is, raking in $380,000 a year. Probably just like Obama who also has financial holdings in the Cayman Islands and other offshore banks.
Nov 3, 2012 at 6:57 p.m.
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The kids made Biden feel welcome because they're too young to understand how he and his partner in crime are robbing from their future......
Nov 3, 2012 at 6:19 p.m.
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That was a great event, thanks for the reminder. Romney, Ryan, Walker, Priebus, Johnson, what a line up!
It was especially wonderful because of the Walker Recall Fail, and seeing our great governor enjoying the event!
Nov 3, 2012 at 5:58 p.m.
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Christ wislady when Rmoney came to Janesville you acted like it was the second coming of Jesus himself.
Nov 3, 2012 at 5:56 p.m.
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Wislady: Notice how Yada is not commenting on this. But he sure loves to repeat his current favorite statement which must be about 5 or 6 times by now.
Nov 3, 2012 at 5:27 p.m.
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my favorite Bidenism (this week)...
“There’s never been a day in the last four years I’ve been proud to be his vice president,” Biden appears to have told the crowd. “Not one single day.”
Joe Biden
Beloit, Wisconsin,
Nov 3, 2012 at 5:03 p.m.
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My favorite dumb MITT Quote -
"CLEANING UP HURRICANE SANDY IS LIKE CLEANING UP AFTER A HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-d-ro...
Nov 3, 2012 at 5 p.m.
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A great event and a fine speech from Mr. Biden. Excellent comments from those that attended.
Biden wins...
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-5753...
Some very interesting reading at many sites.
"Is Paul Ryan a Pathological Liar"
http://skydancingblog.com/2012/09/02/is-...
Mitt on why he won't...Toooo Funny
http://www.businessinsider.com/mitt-romn...
And...
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/081...
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