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Senator Joe Biden Stops in Ottumwa, Iowa

Emphasis is on Strengthening U.S. Leadership

Elaine L. Orr
Elaine L. Orr, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Aug 20, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Senator Joseph Biden met with about 70 local Democrats who gathered to hear from him as well as salute State Representative Mary Gaskill. In Iowa, it is far from unheard of for busy presidential candidates to support state officials in their reelection bids. Before moving on to national topics, he complimented Representative Gaskill and State Senator Keith Kreiman on the Democrats' actions in the 2008 Iowa legislature, noting it sure felt good to be in a state whose legislature had recently "switched from red to blue."

Biden spoke passionately about the need for the next president to restore the United States to the kind of leadership that President John Kennedy exhibited when he sent representatives to capitals around the world to brief leaders on the Cuban missile crisis rather than unilaterally announcing his planned actions. The senator also offered spending alternatives for the billions of dollars the U.S. spends on the Iraq war, such as providing health insurance for all children or catastrophic insurance for all, which would drive down the cost of other health insurance.

The informal setting of an Elks hall was matched by Biden's manner in interacting with the group. He grabbed a hotdog as he came in and walked among attendees as he spoke, noting that while he was the fourth longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate, there are 44 members older than he. Where else but the Senate? he asked rhetorically.

Each person had a nametag, and he often called questioners by name. Several had watched that morning's ABC News Democrat candidates' debate in Des Moines, and one complimented the senator on his response to a question as to whether prayer could prevent disasters such as the Minnesota bridge collapse or Hurricane Katrina. Biden discussed this a bit, noting that his mother had said that the thing to pray for is the courage to bear the serious crosses we all have to bear. Biden added that prayer had helped him handle the death of his wife and young daughter shortly after his 1972 election to the Senate, but that all the prayer in the world will not stop a hurricane; it will provide the courage to deal with the devastation one leaves.

After the serious discussions, Senator Biden stayed for nearly half an hour to mingle with attendees and answer a few questions from local media. As he responded to questions and posed for photographs his demeanor was more like that of a guest in someone's home than a presidential candidate in a hurried
campaign stop. Several attendees had also heard former Senator Edwards and former Governor Richardson speak in Ottumwa earlier in the week. Voters in few other states will have such opportunities in a single week. Go ahead and drool.

Published by Elaine L. Orr

Elaine L. Orr writes humorous essays and the Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series ("Appraisal for Murder," "Rekindling Motives," and "When the Carny Comes to Town"). Check out some of my writing on Amazon, BN.co...  View profile

  • Biden is the fourth-longest serving member of the Senate, but there are 44 members older than him.
  • Before JFK took action during the Cuban Missle Crisis, he sent emissaries to brief world leaders.

4 Comments

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  • US555881449/19/2007

    We need Joe Biden as our next President. Next year will be the most important Presidential election in recent memory.

  • Steve Campitelli8/22/2007

    The height of hypocrisy and arrogance.
    ...
    Apparently, even as she stands before the crowd, glowing with conceit, Hillary Clinton fails to realtize that, with Obama out of the picture, as she would have it, she will be hoisted on her own battard--after Obama, both she and John Edwards are the least experienced candidates! Hillary is actually making the worst possible argument for her own cause.

    The numbers don't lie: Let's list the candidates in the order of their experience in national or gubernatorial public office:

    1. Joe Biden (U.S. Senate, 34 years)
    2. Chris Dodd (U.S. Senate, 26 years; U.S. Rep., 6 years)
    3 Bill Richardson (Governor New Mexico, 3 years; Energy Secretary, 3 years; U.S. Ambass. 1 year; U.S. Rep., 14 years)
    4 Mike Gravel (U.S. Senate, 12 years; U.S. Rep., 4 years)
    5. Dennis Kucinich (U.S. Rep., 10 years)
    6. John Edwards (U.S. Senate, 6 years)
    7. Hillary Clinton (U.S. Senate, 6 years)
    8. Barack Obama (U.S. Senate, 2 years)

  • Jacob 8/21/2007

    Im a 6 year veteran of the Army and have served two extended tours in Iraq. Recently I have completed my obligations to the military and now plan on getting much more pro-active in politics. As of yet I havent heard you voice much of a position in respect to special interest groups like Halliburton. I want to know Mr. Biden, what are going to do to stop the exploitation of our troops, and the robbing of our tax paying citizens
    You speak about efforts to stop the privatization of social secutity, what then are your plans to curb the privatization of the government and the militay. It makes me sick knowing that civilians are making six times the ammount of money (tax free) doing much the same job as their soldier counter parts. Most of the time these so called professionals turn out a service or product that is substandard to what a G.I. fresh out of hugh school can provide.
    As far as retention issues: Whats to stop a war weary soldier from leaving the military, getting a raise, im

  • Tyler Mills8/20/2007

    Great article Elaine. Joe has a real amiable nature about him. I wish that more people would listen to what he has to say even if they don't support him.

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