An average Joe! Proof that Joe Biden is not corrupt

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Despite being called the MBNA candidate, it looks like Biden hasn't cashed in on his career in public service.

...Mitt Romney, has a fortune estimated at between $190 million and $250 million

...Giuliani has reported a net worth of $18.1 million to $70.4 million (under FEC rules that allow candidates to present various categories of assets within broad ranges)

...Former North Carolina Senator Edwards' campaign put his holdings at $29.5 million

...Senator McCain of Arizona, $20.6 million to $32.0 million, including his wife’s assets

...Senator Clinton's 2005 financial disclosure report showed net worth between $10.1 million and $50.2 million, including the holdings of her husband

...Fred Thompson, a former Tennessee senator turned actor, $2.6 million to $8.3 million

...Barack Obama only recently achieved millionaire status when advances on two books he wrote in 2005 pushed his reported worth to at least $1.1 million

...Bringing up the rear among presidential hopefuls is Democratic Senator Joseph Biden. His 1995 filing showed debts between $113,000 and $131,981, ranking him 99th in a 100-member Senate that included no fewer than 40 millionaires.

Data from article at: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&x=20071016174359ndyblehs0.8567926

(Hat-tip to Pirhana for this link)

[pnwmom]

1. Clinton had few assets when he started out. It's not necessarily a sign

that you won't acquire them during or after your Presidency.

If Biden's net worth is actually in the negative numbers, I'd be wondering about his money management skills. He's had plenty of time to develop equity in a house, at the very least.

[gateley]

5. I recently read where Biden said he'd been fortunate because the home he

bought years ago had appreciated. He sold that house 5 years ago to pay off the college debts for his children.

And the charge of him being on the take, or of sleeping with the credit card banks doesn't make sense, either. His war chest certainly doesn't reflect that, and he said at one of the first debates that his net worth was about $175,000.

He's devoted his entire life to public service which, when you're in it for the purpose of actually representing and helping people, does not a rich man make.

[ginchinchili]

16. The sad thing is, if he had Romney's money, you'd be criticizing him for that.

The man is comfortable and his family provided for. The rest of his energy goes toward public service. True, it's rare, but obviously there are still a few Americans around who don't put making money at the top of their priority list. If you take a good objective look at his record you'll see that it really does boil down to a sense of priorities.

For example, his drive to get out of Iraq without leaving it in such a shambles that we have to go back. There is no doubt that if I was focused on that one issue alone I sure wouldn't have time to get involved in activities that would make me a bunch of money, and that's just one issue. Biden gets absorbed in issue after issue. Making money beyond his, by my standards, lucrative pay check is just not important to him. The down side is that he's not in a position to buy the presidency like most of our other candidates. He lives his life more like the vast majority of Americans, and there's no doubt in my mind that that plays a big role in how well a leader can represent his people. He understands. It allows me to appreciate him all the more.

[pnwmom]

51. I'm just going by what you said -- mentioning debts and apparently

no assets.

[ginchinchili]

53. You're not going by what I said. I think you mean the original poster.

[MethuenProgressive]

24. Wealthy doesn't equal corrupt.

Although it's noteworthy that many believe that to be true.

[ginchinchili]

26. It's noteworthy because too often it IS true.

[pnwmom]

52. That's true. Clinton's made a lot of money with his book

and with speeches. I wouldn't call either of those sources unethical.

[ginchinchili]

54. No, but Hillary's not financing her own campaign with that money.

The money that finances her campaign comes from other sources, and it's not just from average wage earners either.

[RadioLeft]

2. Go Joe Go

Read his book and you will know we need President Biden.

[Nutmegger]

3. Welcome to DU RadioLeft!!!

:toast::bounce::toast:

[gateley]

6. Welcome to DU, RadioLeft!

:hi:

[demommom]

13. Great Post!

Welcome!!:thumbsup:

[PatSeg]

14. Welcome to DU RadioLeft

:hi:

[whirlygigspin]

27. Hey Geoff!

longtime listener here!

:kick:


welcome to the house of fun

[jillan]

46. Wow - we are glad to have you at DU

His book was great reading. I laughed, learned and cried.

I hope everyone that is considering Biden for POTUS reads this book - heck - I'd even loan out mine.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hopefully you are talking about Joe on your radio program

[gateley]

4. K&R nt

[killbotfactory]

7. I guess the bankruptcy bill was just a fluke

[whirlygigspin]

8. yup, it was a fluke, just check his record

You'll be more convinced that ever that Biden is the right man.

[rucky]

21. Out of all the people who voted for that god-awful bill...

Biden is the only one with a halfway decent excuse. In relative terms, compare it to my rep - John Boehner - handing out checks from the tobacco lobby on the House floor right before a vote. And we don't grow a single leaf of tobacco in our district.

At least Biden thought he was representing the interests of his state - and didn't take a penny from lobbyists to persuade his vote.

[Jade Fox]

43. About Biden's record...

This is from a Nation article about him:

"Biden maintains 100 percent ratings from Planned Parenthood, the League of Conservation Voters, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Citizens for Tax Justice, the Children's Defense Fund and the NAACP; and 93 percent from the AFL-CIO--these numbers are every bit as liberal as his competitors'

[ginchinchili]

44. Hey, keep this up and Biden's detractors won't have anything left to attack him with.

They will be forced to fall back on criticizing him for the hair plugs he got after the surgeries for his 2 aneurysms. There's so much to praise about this guy and so little to attack him on. Sounds like an ideal candidate for a general election.

Yeah, yeah, I know, he voted for the bankruptcy bill that favored his state's biggest industry protecting jobs for his constituents. If people are going to ignore all the positive work he's done for this country and the obvious strengths he brings to the table, particularly in comparison to the other challengers, then it really has little to do with Sen Biden and instead is about one's impervious support for their candidate. There is still 31% of the nation that supports Bush. Sometimes objectivity is nothing more than a pesky inconvenience.

[youthere]

62. Is that all you have to offer...FACTS?

How weak. ;-)

[justinrr1]

9. Exactly

I find it hilarious that a guy who is having trouble raising funds is somehow "in bed" with the credit card companies and corporations. 1 vote and he is out - I dont think so. Joe is by far the best candidate we have. And by best candidate I mean the one who would do the best job as President! Go Joe!

[gateley]

31. Hey justinrr1 - Welcome to DU! Great post - thank you!

:hi:

[ellacott]

10. I was surprised to find that he doesn't own any stock

He said he made a conscious decision to do that.

[demommom]

11. I know that non-supporters think some of Biden's supporters

are "hero worshipers",when it comes to Joe. But think what you will, Joe is one of the few if not only one I know of , that is in it for the love
of his country and it's people and the satisfaction of being able to to do good things for both. Read his book, Promises to Keep, and you learn what makes him tick. It's an easy and fairly quick read and I promise that once you begin to read it ,you will not want to put it down. When you finish, you feel as though you know him personally.

[Froward69]

12. wouldent it be nice

to have an HONEST president?

[ellacott]

15. It's what our country needs

I don't think there is a better candidate to restore what this country has lost.

I wish the media would give him more coverage.

[lumberjack_jeff]

17. Is it prudent to take diet advice from the most overweight person in the room?

Just sayin'.

A 55 year old guy who makes $165,000/year with a net worth of negative $125,000 - a deficit - is
a) not a good personal financial manager
b) relying pretty heavily on his congressional retirement.
c) atypical too, but in a different way from the other gajillionnaire candidates.

Most of us never earn 1/3 of that, and those of us who do would generally have something to show for it.

[Pawel K]

19. He's in debt because he sent his children to good universities

You're right, what an idiot. :crazy:

[lumberjack_jeff]

29. Okay, but you said it, not me. n/t

[gateley]

33. As I stated in a previous post, 5 years ago he sold his home to pay off

the financial obligations for the education of his kids, and at one of the debates this year he said his net worth is $175,000. I'm not sure the negative figure is current.

I think he's a fair example of a large percentage of the american population.

I'm waiting for the "he's not poor ENOUGH" criticism. Don't think I'll have to wait all that long...

[treestar]

56. This doesn't necessarily apply

The Clintons were in debt by millions.

Doesn't mean he can't manage. It means life threw some hardballs.

And I'm sure he lives well. These individuals can be in debt and still living well, they actually must know how to manage it all to do that. He'd be begging in the streets otherwise.

[demommom]

57. Who said he had nothing to show for it.

He has 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter. He lost his first wife and a daughter in an auto accident. He sent his 2 sons to the best schools and took mortgages on his home to do that. His oldest son,Beau,is the Attorney General for the state of Delaware and his younger son, Hunter, is an attorney in DC. His daughter,Ashley,is in college. He sold his home and paid off the loans for his kids education and then built he and his wife's(Jill) dream home which he designed much of. They call it the "Lake House. Because he is the second least wealthy Senator does not mean he is poor. Most Senators are millionaires he is not.
One of the promises he made when he was elected to the Senate was that he would not invest in any stocks,so he would have no conflicts of interest in that way. Read his book, it is all in there.

His book is called,"PROMISES To KEEP",and you will realize it is a very meaningful title,if you read it.

[Debi]

59. You forgot that his sister lived w/him and helped raise the boys after his

first wife passed AND I think now his mother lives w/him and Jill.

[kad7777]

18. JOE BIDEN the right choice

I'm hoping the American people get it right this time around and elect a REAL leader. Aside from from his expertise in foreign policy, which is so critical in the election of our next President, Joe Biden has a command of every issue that faces our nation today AND solutions to deal with them. He's respected around the world and on both sides of the aisle. This is THE MOST important election America has faced in decades and we cannot fail as a people. There's too much at stake for our country and people around the world.

God Bless you Joe!!! Our country and this world needs you in these troubled times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUC8LeZ1hM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HcXkLbRIWw

[ellacott]

20. It is amazing that Biden spoke to Mushareff before Bush did

That speaks volumes along with the fact that he articulated the threat from Pakistan just a few days before he declared the state of emergency.

Biden was also right on the money when he talked about terrorist attacks the day before 9/11.

[kad7777]

30. You're right

And what truly amazes me is the we have a candidate like Joe Biden and the media doesn't cover him. And in addition, it seems that people are enamored with the fact that we have a woman and an African American running for President. And it's great that we do have Hillary and Barack running! However, I believe people have lost their way here. I'd be the first person to vote for an African American or a woman IF, and this is a BIG IF, they were qualified for the Presidency. Does this mean Hillary or Barack aren't qualified? With what's going on in the Middle East, and South Asia right now, to me, the answer is no, they're not AS qualified as someone like Joe Biden. And if Joe Biden wasn't strong on domestic issues, it would be a difficult decision for me. But Joe is strong on every issue. Be it domestic or foreign policy. Again, I really hope and pray the American people get it right, but I fear they'll be misled (or brainwashed) once again into voting for the wrong person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUC8LeZ1hM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HcXkLbRIWw

BIDEN/OBAMA '08

[ginchinchili]

22. We might not get a chance like this again.

A candidate who is not driven by the desire to make money is a candidate who is not beholden to special interests. Joe Biden is the real deal and people with his stellar American character are disappearing faster than the truth. He's decent, ethical, smart, and works his tail off for us. He would make such a fine president, but perhaps the qualities that make him so are not to our liking anymore. He's not your neat, shiny package, with the perfect hair or with the enviable bank account. He's not the belle of the ball being boosted and backed by the barons of Wall Street. He's not the pretty, new face or a familiar actor trying to finally land the lead role. He's just a great American unusually gifted with attributes that define a true leader. It's up to us to recognize this and to give this American the chance he deserves to lead us. My vote will go to this man because I trust him and he's earned it.

[gateley]

36. "We might not get a chance like this again." - Well said, g!

Although I believe others in our candidate crop this time around possess unquestionable integrity, it's the whole package (foreign policy, domestic policy, experience, track record) that makes him a unique candidate.

Your statement just sums it up perfectly! :yourock:

[dsc]

23. I am totally unenamoured with the bankrupcy vote

but it is Deleware for Pete's sake. Deleware is the number one state in terms of credit card employees. He voted with his constituency, which is it should be noted, his job.

[Jade Fox]

48. Well put. n/t

[mtnsnake]

25. haha, when you said average Joe, it makes me think of that hysterical movie Dodgeball

with Coach O'Houlihan throwing wrenches at the Average Joes' heads in practice.

[whirlygigspin]

28. I love Biden supporters!--there's just so damn positive

what a great group of people you all are

:grouphug:

[Vickers]

32. That's a very good point. Biden supporters *generally* respond to

criticism of their candidate with either clarifications or refutations, and not ad hominem non-sequiturs against another candidate.

Nice.

[gateley]

38. And your contributions to the discussions are always welcome and appreciated!

:headbang:

[youthere]

63. If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!

[Honeycombe8]

34. Your post compares Biden's "debts" to others' "worth." What's Biden's "worth"?

In other words, he may have his homes and boat and other assets paid off, so no debts for those.

It is comparing apples to oranges.

But I believe his net worth is probably less than the others. I'm surprised in a way, but it does seem to fit.

Or....does it mean he doesn't invest wisely?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

37. His current net worth is about 175,000. In 1995 it was negative.

(He went into debt to pay for his kids' college)

[Honeycombe8]

40. Man, they must've gone to some expensive colleges. That's not much net worth for...

a senator who lives in the northeast.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

42. The bankruptcy bill vote looks like a vote against self-interest

Looks like Joe has always been the likeliest senator to go under.

[gateley]

55. In the same article I read about his paying off the loans, it suggested that

each one's loans were about $89K each. He's got three kids, and at least two of them are attorneys; one of his sons went to Syracuse law school, the other son went to Yale. That's a lot of tuition!

I can't find much info on his daughter, but I've no doubt she received a top-drawer education as well.

[Debi]

60. Don't know where she went to college, but her mother said that

she got a job as a social worker and then wanted to get her masters. Couldn't afford to pay for student loans and go to school so moved back home. Typical family w/young adults w/student loans.

[demommom]

58. He dosen,t invest.

If it is important to you to know, once again I say read his book, it is all in there and you have nothing to lose,you will learn just about anything you want to know about him and how he became the man he is.
It is well worth the price of the book and the time it takes to read it.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

35. Notice how lame Thompson is

Shouldn't a movie star/tv star/lawyer/lobbyist have more than $2.6 million to $8.3 million?

[gateley]

39. As ellacott pointed out, Biden doesn't own stock, and here's why:

....."I promised I'd never own a stock or a bond because Nixon had all that trouble with what stocks he owned".....


http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/26/biden-f... /


It appears that investing wasn't a strong motivation for him - public service was. And is.

[jillan]

45. I never knew that. Thanks gateley!

[gateley]

49. Neither did I 'til I read ellacott's post. Thanks ellacott! nt

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

41. Looks like McCain married quite well

A very attractive woman, and apparantly rich to boot.

[gateley]

50. And a loving heart. I remember reading a story about how she brought home

a child from Mother Teresa's Bangladesh orphanage and said to McCain - this is our new daughter.

[jillan]

47. Glad you started a thread about this!

Now - why didn't I think of that

The best part of being a Bidenite is how we all work well together.

[murbley40]

61. Kick

[youthere]

64. Kicking.