Joe Biden Excites Tacoma, Washington, Crowd

Tacoma, Washington -- On a slightly overcast Sunday afternoon, more than 12,000 people crammed in Cheney Stadium to see and hear Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Joseph Biden. Joining Biden on stage was Governor Chris Gregoire, Senator Patty Murray, and Senator Maria Cantwell.

On the morning of a key endorsement from former Secretary of State Colin Powell was announced, Biden seemed energized and confident saying, "The endorsement is proof Obama is ready to lead."

Biden cleverly talked about irony of being at Cheney Stadium saying, "I want to thank you for making this stadium today, temporarily changing the name from Cheney stadium to Obama-Biden stadium for the day. He then threw a jab at vice president Cheney saying with a big smile, "If it was Cheney's stadium, we'd be at an undisclosed location, and you wouldn't be able to find us."

On Saturday, Republican presidential candidate John McCain likened Obama to the socialist leaders of Europe, saying Obama wanted to "convert the IRS into a giant welfare agency, redistributing massive amounts of wealth at the direction of politicians in Washington."

Biden in his speech quickly addressed McCain's comment by saying in a harsh tone, "John McCain has been a party to the most significant redistribution of wealth in American history and it has been all the wrong way," Biden said. "There's not one fundamental economic issue that John McCain disagrees with George Bush on."

Biden also spent time talking about McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, for a comment this week during a fundraiser in North Carolina that she loved visiting "pro-American" parts of the country. Biden very animated tossed his hands in the air and shouted, "One-hundred-and-one of this state's soldiers have given their lives, have died for their country, so don't let anyone, not even indirectly, imply that there's one more patriotic part of the country than another part of the country," Biden proclaimed. "It doesn't matter where you live, it doesn't matter your color, it doesn't matter your religion; we're all Americans."

The crowed responded, cheering and chanting. Biden later spent time on the main talking points, universal health care, alternative energy, and tax cuts for the middle class.

Outside the stadium supporters awaited in line patiently. Vendors and Obama volunteers walked around selling shirts, pins, stickers, also handing out campaign signs.

Being that Washington is military oriented, I asked veterans supporting Obama what their opinion is about reports of General Petreaus and many other top military officers not voting, meanwhile encouraging their troops to get out and vote. Also asking them if Obama or Biden should say something about it? I was disappointed to learn that most veterans I spoke to weren't aware of this, even thinking I was making it up. It took me showing them a clip from a special report by kcal channel 9 Barbara Starr. The reactions were priceless.

Army Veteran cook, Charles Tademu of Tacoma said, "I think it is an injustice to the whole constitution process. I think they need to vote. They need to set the example for the troops and also for those in Washington. They need to be able to sit behind a table even if they are in disagreement or agreement with who ever. I think they would get more respect that way. The funny thing is the only way someone will know what you voted is if you tell them. Obama campaign should talk about it.

In contrast, I spoke to Retired Navy Vietnam veteran Steve Stevenson, who said "I believe any general or anyone in that position should be apolitical, basically neutral. The reason for this is because it will keep politics out of the military, just like the judicial system. I believe the people in power should be neutral. Obama campaign is doing fine with bring that issue up.

The over all sentiment of those standing in line after learning of this news most were shocked and disappointed, wondering why there hadn't been more covering on this. Most supporters thought the Obama campaign should bring it up, while other said that getting a true star general endorsement, referring to retired Gen. Colin Powell makes things balanced out.

At this time Obama is leading in the polls in Washington, but as in any race things can change in heart beat. There are only two weeks left till we find out who will be leading our country, do the right thing and get out and vote for who you believe will get the job done.