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Shallow Nation

August 27th, 2008 at 11:57 pm

Video & Photos: Joe Biden Speech Democratic National Convention 2008 + Barack Obama Surprise Appearance 8-27-08

Joe Biden delivers his vice presidential acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 27, 2008

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden delivered his acceptance speech moments after being nominated by acclamation at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 27, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. His son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, gave an eloquent and moving introduction. At the conclusion of his speech, Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama made a memorable surprise appearance.

Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware accepted the Democratic vice-presidential nomination on Wednesday night with an ode to his middle-class upbringing and a blistering attack on Senator John McCain.

“Again and again,” he said, “on the most important national security issues of our time, John McCain was wrong, and Barack Obama was proven right.”

He said Mr. McCain had supported President Bush’s policies that Mr. Biden said had driven the American economy into a ditch and backed Mr. Bush on a war that is costing American taxpayers $12 billion a month.

Joe Biden delivers his vice presidential acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 27, 2008

As Democrats often do, he paid tribute to Mr. McCain’s military service and his more than five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. That is not sufficient qualification for the presidency, Mr. Biden said in as direct a way as any Democrat this year has.

“The choice in this election is clear,” Mr. Biden said. “These times require more than a good soldier. They require a wise leader,” he said, a leader who can deliver “the change that everybody knows we need.”

Part of Mr. Biden’s assignment on Wednesday night was to connect with struggling American families and to portray himself and Mr. Obama as products of the middle class who would fight to restore the American dream. He spoke lyrically of riding the train home to Wilmington, Del., every night and imagining the conversations in the homes he passed.

“Like millions of Americans, they’re asking questions as profound as they are ordinary,” he said. “Questions they never thought they would have to ask.” Whether to bring an aging parent into their homes to save money. How to pay for gas and groceries. Whether to defer a college education. How to pay for retirement.

Mr. Biden, who referred to his childhood struggle with stuttering, made a few verbal slips, including referring to Mr. McCain as “George.”

“Freudian slip, folks,” he said. “Freudian slip.”

Joe Biden delivers his vice presidential acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 27, 2008

The self-described “kid from Scranton” paid a moving tribute to his 90-year-old mother, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden. He said she had taught him honor, loyalty and bravery. She also helped him overcome his stuttering, telling him, as he put it, “it was because I was so bright I couldn’t get the thoughts out quickly enough.”

After his wife and daughter were killed in an auto accident, Mr. Biden said, “she told me, ‘Joey, God sends no cross you cannot bear.’ And when I triumphed, she was quick to remind me it was because of others.”

He added: “My mother’s creed is the American creed: No one is better than you. You are everyone’s equal, and everyone is equal to you.”

Source: Biden Opens New Phase With Attack on McCain

See also:

Video Joe Biden speech Democratic National Convention 2008, August 27, 2008

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made a surprise appearance Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, appearing on stage after a rousing speech by his vice presidential candidate, Joe Biden.

Barack Obama makes a surprise appearance after Joe Biden delivers his vice presidential acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 27, 2008

As delegates roared inside the Pepsi Center, Obama referred to a speech by his wife on Monday: “I think Michelle Obama kicked it off pretty well, don’t you think?” he said.

Michelle Obama mouthed, “I love you,” from her skybox seat.

Barack Obama makes a surprise appearance after Joe Biden delivers his vice presidential acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 27, 2008

“If I’m not mistaken, Hillary Clinton rocked the house down last night!” Obama said, referring to his chief rival for the Democratic nomination, who addressed the convention Tuesday. Obama even offered praise for Bill Clinton, who had been aggressive toward Obama on the campaign trail, but enthusiastically endorsed of the Democratic nominee earlier Wednesday.

Barack Obama onstage with Joe Biden and Jill Biden after Joe Biden delivered his vice presidential acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 27, 2008

Barack Obama onstage with Joe Biden and Jill Biden (Jill Tracy Jacobs)

Obama called Clinton “someone who reminds us what it’s like when you’ve got a president who actually puts people first. Thank you, President Clinton.”

Source: Barack Obama Makes Surprise Appearance After Joe Biden DNC Speech

Video Barack Obama surprise appearance at Democratic National Convention 2008, August 27, 2008

Photo credit: Top photo: AP; remaining photos Getty Images North America