Wow, we've really come a long way

[PatSeg]

I just realized that this group is over a year old, one year in August. We sure have gone through a lot of changes in that time. After Joe dropped out, I never thought we'd be following him on the campaign trail again.

Where did that year go? I sure doesn't feel like that long. Must be the company!

[CrispyQ]

1. It's gone by so fast!

My dental hygienist shared this with me:

Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes!

:rofl:

It's true!

[PatSeg]

3. Very true

and very funny!

[Muttocracy]

6. !! =)

I already feel that way in my 30s - I expect things to be a blur soon...

[CrispyQ]

7. Oh my! You're not even half way through your roll!

:rofl:

[Debi]

2. 14 days - isn't that crazy? Looking back at the last 17 months (for us lucky Iowans) and it comes

down to 14 days?! *sniff* I truly hope that we get to talk all about VP Biden's achievements in 2009

:hug: <- to all you Bidenites/Bideniers/Biden Brigaders

[PatSeg]

4. I'm glad this phase of the journey is

almost over, but it will be hard to shift gears!

Thank god for good company along the way.

[WheelWalker]

5. I'll second voice that!

[PatSeg]

9. You make me SMILE!

[WheelWalker]

11. Here's looking at you, kid.

[jillan]

8. It sure has been a crazy road to get here.

Just think about all the things we have been through together.
We really thought Joe would come in 4th in Iowa -
Then Iowa happened. We cried, we said goodbye, we decided to stick around...
we stared for hours at a CNN camera that was set up outside of Joe's house...

And here we are.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have to keep reminding myself to breathe.
I'm trying so hard not to get optimistic.

I love you guys - you have become part of my life :grouphug:

[PatSeg]

10. Its still kind of surreal at times

When Joe dropped out in January, it was like a funeral. I had no idea it would hit me so hard and last so long. When Obama picked Joe for VP, it was like a rare 2nd chance.

Thank god you guys were all here. I would have gone nuts if I had to go through it all alone!

[WheelWalker]

14. That's just it....no one is ever alone. We are all one.

[PatSeg]

15. I know

It just doesn't always feel like it.

[WheelWalker]

12. Aw shucks, Sis...

:loveya:

[Jennicut]

13. I only really discovered Joe in August of this year though I have been watching him for years

He would be on Hardball and say something that made so much sense and slam Bush so hard and I would yell at my t.v. "Yes!". LOL...my husband would laugh at me. I guess I always like Joe. I am so glad Obama picked him as VP as he is such a great guy with a wonderful family. It must be really exciting for all you guys here who have followed him so long to see that he is almost hopefully VP! Funny, I always seem to really like our VPs, I loved Al Gore for years. I think I just like rooting for the second bananas.

[PatSeg]

16. Joe is that rare politician

where the more I learned about him, the more I liked him. I'm so glad he wrote his book, as it really gave me better overall picture of the man and his life.

[chiefofclarinet]

17. I would be considered a "newbie" by just about every standard, but it's been long for me

I've only been watching Joe Biden since about November of 2007, after I decided Bill Richardson, my original first choice, had good ideas but couldn't explain them. Joe had great ideas and could speak them eloquently. I think it was Joe's jab at Giuliani that got my attention, and I started reading about his tenure in the Senate, and his style, and I was hooked. I am one of the minority of young voters that wanted a wise and experienced politician cleaning up after Dubya's residency in the White House. I still love Barack Obama, but I really wanted Joe Biden to get it.

I volunteered for the Biden campaign a little bit in Iowa, and was the Biden precinct captain for the Iowa caucus. This was my first time voting at a caucus. Unfortunately, though we had a decent number of people, we didn't quite have the 15% to get our votes to count, so we had to realign. I went to the Obama camp, where my family all were, and signed up as an alternate for the county level. I got a bit of flak from my friends, all of whom were Obama supporters, for my devotion to the Biden campaign, but I shrugged it off.

Even after the campaign, I kept my eye open for Joe on the news. I also started ready articles about him, and the more I read about Joe, the more I liked him. He has a humble background and never forgets it. He was above the curve politically for almost his entire life. But, reading about his response to the death of his first wife and daughter and the injury of his two sons really hit me. This is what "family values" is all about. He nearly sacrificed his political career to be with his sons as a single father. I don't I could do that. I wish I had the emotional strength to do that. And, I admire him for it.

So, months passed. I was cheering for Obama victories, but kept my eye out for Joe. Then, mid-August rolled around. About this time I joined DU. (I had been lurking for almost 2 years prior.) I had a long night watching DU, fighting back the rumors that Biden got the nod because they weren't official. However, when the website officially announced it and we all got the text messages, I was ecstatic. Exhausted, but ecstatic. Obama's choice of Joe solidified his reasoning powers in my mind.

Since, I have been wildly happy about the election, especially considering the horrific choice McCain made for VP. One of the easiest votes I have on my ballot was the presidential. Hmm... my second choice for president and my first choice for vice president, or an unstable jerk and an airhead? Hmm... I'll go with Obama/Biden, thank you very much.

So, it's been a long ride for all of us. However, I can't imagine how long it's been for the mainstays of the JBSG. It's been a roller-coaster, but it's been a blast for the bit of the ride I've seen.

[PatSeg]

18. There seems to be a common thread

among all the Biden supporters, though our backgrounds and ages vary a great deal. The respect and admiration for Joe is a constant. He is a rare politician and a perfect compliment for Obama. I've seen so many candidates over the years and no one ever affected me the way he does. I really trust him.

Thanks for sharing your story with us. Wish you'd been here last year. You would have had a great time, but you're here now and we're thrilled to have you!

Everyone else seems to have gone to bed. Think we're all getting burned out!!!

[Muttocracy]

19. Ya know, I wish I'd been here for the rough and tumble days of last fall

but I've really enjoyed time on DU on 2008. Work and home life have been bumpy this last year, but this little corner of the world has made me smarter and made me smile, laugh, and feel befriended :)

[PatSeg]

20. It was really stimulating back then

I hit the computer first thing in the morning and when I got home from work, I didn't even take my jacket off - had to check the latest at DU. We were all feeding off of each others energy and excitement. It was a great bonding experience.

I wonder if Joe realizes how many people he's brought together.

[jillan]

23. I wish you were here during the primaries.

But I'm glad you finally made it :)

[livvy]

21. Time sure flies when the company is good! n/t

[PatSeg]

22. Oh yeah

And the company doesn't get any better!!!

[mrigirl]

24. Hey Tsegat, how are ya?- I finally donated to DU so I can post again in here

I was being stubborn and already donated to DU before when the Biden group was started. I didn't realize it was a yearly thing. I didn't want to pay it for a while.

Can you believe that's it's really been a year since good old Pirhana talked us into coming over here from MSN? It was Pirhana right? If I remember correctly. Anyways, I check in here nightly and always read everyone's threads but as you can tell from my low post count I hardly ever write much.

I'm so excited seeing Joe on tv now and I'm glued to Keith and Rachel's shows at night. I can't beleive that our Joe is on the ticket. I'm still pinching myself occasionally! Joe will be in the House!!!! May the good guys win!

[PatSeg]

25. Hey you!

I thought about you today and the old MSN days - was wondering where you were!

Yeah, it was Pirhana who probably pulled you over here. For me it was in reverse - I ran into the Fishy here and she recommended the MSN message board.

I'm so glad you donated so you could participate, especially now with the election so close. I keep my eyes out for some of the old gang, but not everyone is showing up on the boards.

Now you have no excuse to not get into the conversation. Have you noticed how many new people have dropped by? As usual, they are the nicest of the nice!

[mrigirl]

27. Ya, I noticed alot of new people dropping by. I have to get more involved again.

Things have been nuts lately at work. My lead tech left and now I'm lead. My hours changed- days- finally!! And a hell of alot more responsibilty. Between work and this election I'm exhausted!! So I'm not posting anywhere much. But I'm happy.

And broke. But who isn't lately??

[PatSeg]

28. Congratulations!

On the "days" and being "lead".

Are you still brainwashing your patients? I hope so!

[mrigirl]

30. Thank you! And yes, I still try if a patient brings up the election.

But I'm weary of career military men and the older "well to do" generation over 65-70. They are set in their ways, most of them.

[PatSeg]

31. I enjoy talking about politics,

but I hate arguing about it. I did my fair share of arguing when I was young and finally learned it was almost always pointless except to teach me more about my own point of view. I was told I was good at debate, but I found it emotionally exhausting, like banging my head on a wall.

Its a shame some people get set in their ways. I do about personal habits, but not ideas. Life is so suffocatingly boring with your mind is closed.

[CrispyQ]

32. Hey! Long time no see!

Good to have you back!!

I remember reading Pirhana & Gateley's posts about a year back & they would post info on Joe. The more I read about him, the more I liked him. But I also noticed that P & G were always respectful of other candidates, unlike so many other DUers who couldn't say a nice thing about any candidate besides their own. And then, during the primaries, that is what the JBSG became known for -- being respectful toward other candidates. We reflect the man that we support. :thumbsup:

[susanwy]

26. Hey all

Didn't get a chance to check in, been at a conference all week. But....

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:

[PatSeg]

29. Hey!!!

We're getting down to the wire! It will be nice to have everyone within reach now.