Just returned from a Biden luncheon of sorts and he was great!

[Frustratedlady]

I had pretty much heard the speech before, but it was great to see him interact with the people. AND, he had several members of his family present. His granddaughter took a few days off from school to travel with the family, Hunter, the younger son who is one handsome and personable young man, and his wife who is darling and very easy to talk to. It sounds like most of the family will be in Iowa this weekend.

There were some very good questions and he did a great job of explaining the situations and reasoning behind why they aren't impeaching, his ideas on assistance with college education, etc. He has a way of literally touching people with his whole being, whether it be eye contact or one-on-one interaction. Everyone was listening closely to what he had to say, which was another indication of his campaigning abilities and techniques.

When he finished, I had the opportunity to give them the bag of homemade breads and I also included a note to remind him to check out Democratic Underground. I passed on your good wishes and he was SO pleased.

The question I had for him following his speech, was, "Would you explain to the people in one of your upcoming stops or in an interview what is going to happen to Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater, et al., when their "enablers" or benefactors are no longer in office? Why is Blackwater opening these huge training camps if they will be leaving Iraq?" I also told him that people are apprehensive that this administration will not leave office at the end of their term and Joe acknowledged that he was aware of that fear. They are going to send me papers on this subject with his thoughts. (He was long overdue for the next stop and an interview or meeting of some kind.)

In the end, I got a hug and a kiss! Doesn't get any better than that!

[AX10]

1. K/R!

It has to be Biden!

[K Gardner]

2. Thank you for the report.. please keep us updated ! Congrats..

[gateley]

3. Thanks for the report! I bet he REALLY appreciated the homemade bread.

GREAT questions about Halliburton and Blackwater - There are so MANY issues, and so many aren't addressed. Thanks for asking him those!

[K Gardner]

19. It gives me hope that at least the people in Iowa are asking and learning

about how the candidates stand on these issues. Because out here in "the heartland", we aren't hearing chyte about anything but the Campaign Game. I should be able to find out anything I need about a candidate from one of our 24 hour news channels.. I mean, they have 24 hours a freakin day to cover this.. but all I get is garbage. I'm grateful to the Iowans for paying attention and jealous that they actually have access to our candidates.

[Frustratedlady]

21. We had to laugh at one woman who asked Joe if he'd do her a favor...

Very seriously, Joe leaned forward to listen to her concerns. She told him she had lost her civil rights and the last she heard, they were locked up in the White House. If he became our next leader, could he find them and return them to her?

He was all over that one.

[K Gardner]

27. LOL... that is priceless ! n/t

[Frustratedlady]

20. Yes, they all did. His daughter-in-law was hungry...

and was contemplating whether to eat a sandwich at the luncheon or hope that they stopped along the way for something hot. I told her I had a bag of homemade breads and they ended up teasing over who would get possession of the bag. I could have spent all day with them.

There were 70 or so signed up, but more kept coming in. Another woman and I were bringing out more chairs and people were standing after the speech began, so I would say there were close to 100.

Joe didn't appear to be ill. His dil said it was hard to keep up with him. They left the hotel at 7:30 and wouldn't be back in until after 9:00 tonight (last speech at 7:30). Family members will be spread out over Iowa all weekend.

[1corona4u]

4. You lucky thing!!

Glad you took them some treats!

Thanks for sharing!!

[democrat2thecore]

5. When I was in Iowa in October....

I had the chance to meet Valerie, Joe's sister. She has run every single campaign of his since his first run for city council. She was very sweet, as was her youngest daughter (Joe's niece - probably 24 or so), I can't remember her name, but she has been working hard in the campaign in Iowa. What a family. Hey, Republicans, you want family values? The Biden's are the poster family - not without struggles and heartache, but they stick together, help each other through thick and thin. Impressive in this day and age.

[LSparkle]

6. Just imagine what a Biden "State of the Union" speech would be like

That's something I'd actually look forward to. He'd be interesting, straight-talking, and would infuse it with a big dose of heart.

[gateley]

9. It would be the first State of the Union Speech I ever actually listened to! nt

[PatSeg]

26. Welcome to my fantasy world

Joe Biden giving the "State of the Union" address is something I daydream about. I would schedule my life around it.

[jlake]

7. Wow! Thanks for the report.

What an amazing time! And I love your questions to him....very important issues we do not hear much about.
We desperately need Biden, and I feel hopeful that he has a chance.

[David Zephyr]

8. What an upbeat, joyous post!

I wish I could be in Iowa. What an exciting time for all Democrats.

[Tashca]

10. very good!!

I love your report and your question was great!!!!
My wife and I are planning on seeing him tomorrow. I am still thinking of one question to ask him. If I do it like usual I'll decide at the last minute.....and one fitting for the time.
Thank you for the report.
I have been reading his schedule and that guy is superman....he has got this thing rocking and going to make a difference!!!!

[gateley]

12. Don't forget to report back -- we non-Iowan Bidenites live vicariously through you! nt

[Tashca]

13. I will

I've never started a post before....I'm sure I can figure it out. I have the camera charging and will do the best I can to tell about it. I hope I can do nearly as well as the above post.

[gateley]

14. You'll do just fine! Have fun!! nt

[youthere]

15. If you get a chance Bellator remind him...

to take care of himself! Especially since the weather's so nasty and he already has a cold!

[Tashca]

18. Absolutely

I will tell him of the concern I've heard expressed!!!

[WheelWalker]

11. Sounds like you were a great ambassador for DU and all his

supporters here. Great work, and Thank you for a super post!

[Frustratedlady]

22. I figured he wouldn't remember the name Democratic Underground..

if I told him, so I wrote a note in a Christmas card, asking him to visit the site and read his support...AND, that people sent their love and good wishes. So, even if he might not be that savvy to find the DU site, one of the kids can. He was pleased when I told him more and more people were showing their interest and support.

I had signed up to work as a precinct captain, last week, but they weren't too organized. They will be opening an office in a couple days, so I will have the opportunity to help them out, when needed. Obama, Dodd and I think Richardson have offices in town. I would think Edwards and Hillary also have them, but I am not aware of their location.

[1corona4u]

28. Oh, I think he's pretty savvy...

[youthere]

16. I'm jealous.

It would appear I'm one of the few DU Bidenite females who hasn't gotten one planted on her by one of the Biden males. DAMMIT!

[Frustratedlady]

23. Well, you sure have a good looking group to choose from.

Hunter is SO warm and friendly. He also has THE BEST handshake of all. Very firm. I was quite impressed with him. When we were talking about Halliburton, KBR and Blackwater, I asked if I had heard correctly that one of the Repugs had a former Blackwater person working for them. I had just read that this morning. Hunter said it was Romney (I was thinking Romney or Huckabee, but my memory wasn't the best with all that was going on) and I believe the first name was Coffin or something like that....maybe a secretary of state? I didn't get to pursue that subject, as Joe came back through to gather everyone up and say good-bye.

Man, I'd love to have the opportunity to visit with them for hours. They are open and willing to comment, which is refreshing...no canned responses.

[livvy]

25. It's Cofer Black...

Black was the United States Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism with the rank of Ambassador at Large from December 2002 to November 2004. The point man for the U.S. government's international counterterrorism policy in the first term of the Bush administration, he resigned shortly after George W. Bush was elected to a second presidential term.

Since February 2005, Black has been Vice Chairman of Blackwater USA, a US-based private security firm which is the State Department's biggest security contractor. Black is also the chairman of the privately owned intelligence gathering company Total Intelligence Solutions, totalintel.com.

On April 26, 2007 Black was chosen by Mitt Romney, a Republican candidate in the 2008 United States presidential election, to head his counterterrorism policy advisory group.<21>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cofer_Black


I envy you! I would love to meet him. Great report...brought a big smile to my face! Thank you!

[mrigirl]

32. Hey me too, don't forget!

I was contemplating blowing off work to meet him on Monday (decided that I really shouldn't)in Boston and my husband told me not flirt w/ the man too much! He was kidding of course but thought Joe would like having some support from a younger girl!

[CrispyQ]

17. Wow, a hug & a kiss!

You can't be very frustrated now!

Great question about Halliburton/Blackwater. I'm especially glad you addressed the fear that many have that the thugs won't leave office. Please share with us when you hear back. I have wanted to raise that question but it sounds so tin-foil-hat, but more & more I hear people expressing that concern.

Great post & thanks for sharing!!

[Frustratedlady]

24. I hesitated about asking in front of the group, and decided I'd best do it in private.

I didn't want people to gasp and have to explain. It's hard to remember that not everyone gets into these subjects like some of these blogs. Trying to explain that subject would definitely give one a tinfoil appearance.

Joe and Hunter didn't pause with their responses and weren't shocked when I asked. In fact, I didn't even have to get too far into the question before they knew exactly what my concerns were. That was scary. I'm hoping it comes up as a campaign issue and wakes up the public.

I kick myself for not typing up a list of items I am concerned about...God knows we have plenty. I may do so and leave it at the local office...not so much for an answer to each, but as points to talk about in his speeches.

[jillan]

29. You told him to check out DU?

Biden - I love you!!!!

[1corona4u]

30. LOL me too!!

Pirhana, check pm..

[Frustratedlady]

31. Yep! I figured he surely had access to a laptop and could see his support.

So, let's support!