Wealth, or the Lack Thereof: One More Note About Biden
| Wed Aug. 20, 2008 7:45 AM PDT
Joe Biden, a leading contender for VP if you believe the buzz, was the least wealthy member of the last Senate and is likely near the bottom in this Senate.
Now, there is nothing inherently ennobling about being poor (I'd be a better man if there were), and there is nothing inherently corrupting about being rich. But the fact that Biden has been in the Senate for 35 years and hasn't seen his personal fortune blossom means that he hasn't used his position, and all the connections and insider knowledge that come with it, as a cash register. It's an easy thing to do without ever overstepping legal boundaries.
Biden has chosen not to. I think that speaks to his priorities and why, fundamentally, he is in Washington.
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Comments
Why does someone have to be "Rich" to run for office? I think that is part of the problem with this once great country!
Senator Biden is an excellent choice for VP. I once wrote him to consider running for president again 25 years ago while I lived in California. A few years later, I had a chance to be one of his constituent for a year in Delaware. I never heard a bad word about the guy from anyone in the state. Now that I'm back on the Left Coast again, I see that Joe has only improved with maturity, and I'd be proud to have him as our vice president. If he does get to run with Senator Obama, and they're elected, I only hope that Joe gets to have a significant role in the administration -- not just attending overseas funerals.
Submitted by GRANDDADDELBERT (not verified) on Wed Aug. 20, 2008 12:42 PM PDT.
THE prevailing wisdom of stupid voices would have us believe theres at least one fault we can not overlook in our candidate choices -- and it becomes the cause celeb for a week or more. If it brings attention to the MOUTH who roars, it plays longer on TV. AMERICA WATCHES TV, NOT POLITICAL BLOGS. MSM CAN manipulate sound in any manner and they do. TRUTH is not selling. If you doubt this, go with your wife to pick out house or room colors. ( You dont care, really ) I hope you've had that experience.
Sen. Biden's service to America is undeniable. That Americans select their presidents not based on experience and leadership qualifications, but as if they are contestants on some popular game show has given us some really bad presidents--Nixon, Reagan, the Bushes. It seems true that we get the kind of president we deserve.
Submitted by Sooz (not verified) on Wed Aug. 20, 2008 1:48 PM PDT.
It is good to see many people wanting Biden as the VP. I think he would make a great choice and have always admired his actions. Didn't know he was the least rich in the Senate. What a novel idea!
Biden is a good guy all right, but saddled with plagerism issues real and imagined. He graduated 76th in his law school class of 85. This completely neutralizes one of the strongest arguments against McCain who graduated 894 in his Naval Academy class of 899. Ohio governor, Ted Strickland far & away the best choice. NRA darling; ordained minister; wildly popular governor with a wonderful Kentucky spouse who the southerners would love. Won't happen though. Look for somebody with a military orientation. That will hand the presidency to McCain since it will insure that the only subject discussed from now to November 4th will be war, war, war, terror, terror, terror, scary, scary, scary. Also look for a Clinton orgy of self-serving at the convention. NO overt enthusiasm for Barack from Hillary who sees '12 as her next opportunity - only if McCain wins.
Submitted by Jeff Akston (not verified) on Thu Aug. 28, 2008 1:49 PM PDT.
Obviously not enriching himself illicitly is admirable. But being 99 out of 100 doesn't imply that the other 98 have.
Don't you find it the least bit odd that the guy has made $3 million (senate salary, $225k book deal, and $20k a year teaching job) over the past 20 years, and has only been able to amass less than $150k?
He made $300k last year, and has made over $125k yearly since '92. He's been in the top 5% of income earners for decades. He should absolutely be a millionaire. He didn't need to steal from his constituents, lay off millions of workers like Romney, or marry a rich heiress like McCain. All he needed to do was not burn through all of his money. I find this very odd.
he rides amtrak for crying out loud. it is the biggest rip off (if he is paying for his seats, which might not be the case)then that is why he is poor. if he is riding ACela, the first class-squared, luxury liner, than that defeats the 'common man' concept. And, Amtrak is subsidized billions of dollars by us poorer folk. he's a fraud.
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