Reactions
to Sen. Obama's Selection of Sen. Biden as His Running Mate
(favorable, then
unfavorable in no particular order)
PRESS RELEASE
from the Democratic National Committee
For Immediate Release
August 23, 2008
Contact: Karen Finney
DEAN STATEMENT ON
SELECTION OF SENATOR JOE BIDEN AS AMERICA'S NEXT VICE PRESIDENT
Denver, CO- Democratic National Committee Chairman
Howard Dean issued the following statement on the selection of Senator
Joe Biden as Barack Obama's running mate:
"Senator Obama has made an outstanding selection in Joe
Biden. Joe Biden is a strong leader, fierce advocate, and devoted
family man with values rooted in the best of what America stands
for. He will be a strong partner with Barack Obama in
bringing the change America wants and needs.
"Delegates here in Denver are already buzzing with strong enthusiasm
for the Obama- Biden ticket.
"Senator Obama's selection shows that unlike the Bush-McCain way of
doing politics, Obama is not afraid to have strong people around him
helping to lead our great country.
"Together they will serve America well over the next eight years, and
our Party is ready to rally behind them and put them on the path to the
White House starting right here in Denver."
###
PRESS RELEASE from
Change to Win
Burger:
Biden A Great Choice For American Workers And Labor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2008
CONTACT: Noreen Nielsen
Greg Denier
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement
from Change to Win chair Anna Burger regarding presumptive Democratic
presidential nominee Barack Obama’s announcement today of Senator Joe
Biden as his running mate for the 2008 election.
"Change to Win members and leaders are excited to
see Senator Biden added to a winning Obama team. Joe Biden is a great
choice for American workers and labor. He was raised in a hard working
family and has always led with the values and work ethic that he
learned growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Joe Biden has been a
friend to working Americans throughout his public life, standing up and
fighting alongside us for the right to organize, for living wages, for
family and medical leave, for safe workplaces, and for a strong social
security system. He respects the dignity of all work and all people.
“Change to Win members have spent thousands of
hours walking precincts, making phone calls, and passing out materials
at our worksites since endorsing Barack Obama six months ago, and
today's announcement gives us a great boost as we prepare for the
convention and the hard work ahead of us before victory for Obama,
Biden, and America's workers on November 4th.”
# # #
PRESS
RELEASE from the National Education Association
CONTACT: Brian Washington
August 23, 2008
NEA applauds
Sen. Obama for outstanding vice presidential selection
Sen. Joe Biden is a
true champion for children and public education
DENVER
—"Sen. Joe Biden has always been a champion for children and public
education," said National Education Association President Reg Weaver.
“After eight disastrous years of the Bush
administration’s failed education policies, Sen. Barack Obama’s
selection of Sen. Biden as his vice presidential running mate signals a
true change in the way the federal government will support the children
and educators of this nation,” said Weaver. “An Obama-Biden
ticket will staunchly support public schools, lead to a stronger
economy and a stronger, more secure nation. This team will lead
us to a Democratic victory in November.”
The nearly 10,000 delegates who attended the 2008 NEA Representative
Assembly in July voted to recommend Sen. Obama in the U.S.
presidential election.
Sen. Biden has been a loyal supporter of college aid and loan
programs. He was the creator of “Kids 2000,” a federal law designed to
provide educational technology to low-income and at-risk youth. He
believes the Bush administration’s failed No Child Left Behind law must
be overhauled to provide incentives and support to troubled schools
instead of labeling them as failures and eliminating their funding.
Sen. Biden also opposes giving limited public education tax dollars
to private schools through political schemes like vouchers.
“Sen. Biden believes our first priority should be to fund our public
schools,” said Weaver. “He knows that public schools are the key to our
security—economically, militarily, and politically. And he has always
been willing to stand up and be counted for children, public schools,
and public school employees.”
# # #
PRESS
RELEASE from United Steelworkers
USW
Praises Sen. Biden on Joining Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign
‘He’ll make a great U.S. Vice President
with unwavering support of workers’
Contact: Wayne
Ranick
Gary
Hubbard
Pittsburgh (Aug. 23) – Leo W. Gerard, International President,
United Steelworkers (USW), today praised the announcement by the
USW-endorsed Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama in naming
U.S. Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate.
“Today’s announcement by Presidential Candidate Barack Obama naming
Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware gets our voice and full support as the
best choice to assure working families the Democratic ticket provides
hope for national economic change and an experienced team for American
leadership in a troubled world.
Our union’s long relationship with Sen. Biden goes back to the USW
being the first to endorse his bid in 1972 that first got him elected
as a U.S. Senator, extends to his appearance last year at the USW’s
presidential candidates’ forum in Cleveland before 1,200 Steelworkers,
and remains a constant on this day.
Sen. Biden’s roots are in Scranton, PA and among the industrial
plants of Delaware. His unwavering support and commitment to family
will resonate for Steelworkers who know he is not just another
Washington insider.
We know Joe Biden and his convictions on issues critical to
Americans like his stand on stronger labor laws that assure the right
of workers to join unions, universal health care and a new approach to
trade policies that require enforceable labor and environmental
standards.
Sen. Biden’s foreign policy experience will be a welcome breath to
the debate on how our country deals with both international affairs and
how we can best address the immediate challenges confronting us at
home. Sen. Biden will make a great U.S. Vice President.
USW active and retired members will work every moment for the
Obama-Biden Democratic ticket from this day forward to Election Day
that secures change for American working families on security, peace
and prosperity.”
# # #
PRESS RELEASE from Brady Campaign to
Prevent Gun Violence
Senator Obama's Choice, Joe Biden, A Good One
For Gun Violence Reduction
For
Immediate Release:
08-25-2008
Contact Communications:
|
|
Washington, D.C. – The Brady Campaign to Prevent
Gun Violence praised Senator Barack Obama's choice for his vice
presidential running mate, Senator Joe Biden.
“Joe Biden is a straight talker about the need for common sense laws to
keep dangerous people from getting dangerous weapons,” said Paul
Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
“He has been a solid advocate for sensible gun laws that protect our
police officers and our families. I was proud to stand with him
just weeks ago in Philadelphia when he joined with our nation’s mayors
in supporting tough crime fighting laws, and also last year when police
leaders urged passage of common sense measures to protect law
enforcement officers. Our nation would be well served with Joe
Biden as our Vice President.”
During a Democratic Presidential debate on CNN, Senator Biden expressed
concern about a man who submitted a video question asking whether the
candidates would protect his “baby,” a fully loaded semiautomatic
assault rifle. Senator Biden said, “If that’s his baby, he needs
help.” Then he went on to say, “We should be working with law
enforcement right now to make sure that we protect people against
people who are not capable of knowing what to do with a gun because
they are either mentally imbalanced and/or they have a criminal record.”
Senator Biden has a comprehensive crime bill awaiting action in the
Senate (S. 2237) that would require background checks on all sales at
gun shows and reauthorize the now-expired federal ban on military-style
assault weapons.
For more background on Senator Biden’s record on common sense gun laws,
visit www.bradycampaign.org/elections/2008president.php.
# # #
PRESS
RELEASE from Human Rights Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2008
Brad Luna
Trevor Thomas
Human Rights Campaign
Statement on Selection of Senator Joe Biden as Democratic Vice
Presidential Candidate
HRC President
Hails Biden as “A Proven and Effective Advocate for Fairness and
Equality”
WASHINGTON– Today, the Human
Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender civil rights organization, hailed the presumptive
Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama’s selection of Senator Joe
Biden as his Vice Presidential running mate. During his career in
Congress, Senator Biden has a proven record of fighting for and
supporting issues of fairness and equality.
“In selecting Senator Joe Biden as his running mate, Senator Obama has
chosen a proven and effective advocate for fairness and equality that
our entire community can be proud of,” said Human Rights Campaign
President Joe Solmonese. “Senator Biden’s record in the United
States Senate is one of support and understanding that has been
unwavering throughout his career.”
Recently, Senator Biden, as Chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee, played an instrumental role in securing the passage of the
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), legislation which
included Senator John Kerry and Senator Gordon Smith’s provision
repealing the discriminatory HIV travel and immigration ban. His
working across the aisle guaranteed that the Kerry-Smith provision was
adopted. Furthermore, when opponents of the provision attempted
to garner support to strip the provision from the bill, Senator Biden
fought to keep the provision in the bill and helped secure the votes
for PEPFAR'S final passage.
“We only need to look back to the recent passage of the repeal of the
HIV travel and immigration ban to see the type of leadership we can
expect from Senator Biden on the issues important to our community,”
continued Solmonese. “It was because of his determination and
tenacity that we were able to see this relic of discrimination against
people living with HIV/AIDS torn down.”
“If the support Senator Biden has proven on our issues is any
indication of the type of Vice President he will be than our community
can be assured that Senator Obama has chosen a thoughtful and staunch
advocate for equality as his closest adviser,” concluded Solmonese.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights
organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end
discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves
fundamental fairness and equality for all.
- 30 -
Highlights of Senator Joe Biden’s Record of Support for the GLBT
Community
101st Congress (1989-1990): Overall Scorecard Rating 90%
102nd Congress (1991-1992): Overall Scorecard Rating 91%
103rd Congress (1993-1994): Overall Scorecard Rating 89%
104th Congress (1995-1996): Overall Scorecard Rating 78%
105th Congress (1997-1998): Overall Scorecard Rating 83%
106th Congress (1999-2000): Overall Scorecard Rating 86%
107th Congress (2001-2002): Overall Scorecard Rating 100%
108th Congress (2003-2004): Overall Scorecard Rating 63%
109th Congress (2005-2006): Overall Scorecard Rating 78%
● Helms Amendment – Hate Crimes Statistics Act (February 8, 1990)
Senator Helms offered an amendment to a hate crimes statistics bill (S.
AMDT. 1251 to S. 419) stating that “the homosexual movement threatens
the strength and survival of the American family” and that “state
sodomy laws should be enforced.” The Helms amendment failed 19-77
(Record Vote No. 12). HRC opposed this amendment. Biden
also opposed it.
● District of Columbia’s Health Care Benefits Expansion Act (July
30, 1992)
Senator Brock Adams (D-WA) offered a procedural motion to block
attempts to repeal the District of Columbia’s Health Care Benefits
Expansion Act, a measure adopted by the D.C. Council to provide D.C.
government employees the opportunity to purchase health care coverage
for their domestic partners. The motion failed 41-51 and
implementation of the D.C. law was subsequently prohibited by
Congress. HRC supported this motion. Biden also supported
it.
● Justice Clarence Thomas Confirmation (October 15, 1991)
The Senate voted on President George H.W. Bush’s nomination of Clarence
Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Senate confirmed his
nomination 52-48 (Record Vote No. 220). HRC opposed this
nomination. Biden also opposed it.
● Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement (November 4, 1993)
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) offered an amendment to the Violent
Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1993 (S. AMDT. 1097 to S.
1607) to increase penalties for federal crimes motivated by the
victim’s sexual orientation and other characteristics. The
Feinstein Amendment was the first piece of federal legislation to
provide protection on the basis of sexual orientation. The
amendment passed 95-4 (Record Vote No. 351). HRC supported this
amendment. Biden also supported it.
● Codification of the Ban on Gays and Lesbians in the Military
(September 9, 1993)
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) offered an amendment to the National
Defense Authorization Act of 1994 (S. AMDT. 783 to S. 1298) to prevent
codification of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on
lesbians and gays in the military. The amendment failed 33-63
(Record Vote No. 250). HRC supported this amendment. Biden
also supported it.
● District of Columbia’s Domestic Partners Ordinance (July 27,
1993)
An amendment was offered to allow the District of Columbia to implement
its ordinance allowing unmarried couples or partners to register with
the D.C. government, making them eligible for group health insurance
offered to D.C. government employees for a higher premium. It
failed 43-55 (Record Vote No. 217). HRC supported this
amendment. Biden also supported it.
● Employment Non-Discrimination Act (September 10, 1996)
In its first test in Congress, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
(S. 932), which would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis
of sexual orientation, came within one vote of passage in the
Senate. Senator David Pryor (D-AR), who supported ENDA, missed
the vote for a family emergency. The bill failed 49-50 (Record
Vote No. 281). HRC supported this bill. Biden also
supported it.
● Hate Crimes Amendment to Defense Authorization (June 20, 2000)
Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced the
Hate Crimes Prevention Act, renamed the Local Law Enforcement
Enhancement Act, as an amendment to the fiscal year 2001 defense
authorization bill (S. AMDT. 3473 to S. 2549). The Kennedy-Smith
amendment would extend basic hate crime protections to all Americans in
all communities by adding real or perceived sexual orientation, gender
and disability to the categories covered and by removing the federally
protected activity requirement. This amendment was overwhelmingly
approved 57-42 (Record Vote No. 136). HRC supported this
amendment. Biden also supported it.
● Federal Marriage Amendment (July 14, 2004)
The Federal Marriage Amendment (S.J. Res 40), introduced in the Senate
by Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO), would have enshrined discrimination
into the U.S. Constitution by defining marriage as the union between
one man and one woman and prohibiting federal and state laws from
conferring same-sex couples with marital status and “the legal
incidents thereof,” thereby endangering civil unions and domestic
partnership benefits. The amendment needed a two-thirds majority
(67) to be passed in the Senate and a three-fifths majority (60) to
proceed to a vote on the amendment (cloture). The cloture motion
failed 48-50 (Record Vote No. 155). HRC opposed this cloture
motion. Biden also opposed it.
● Federal Marriage Amendment (June 7, 2006)
The Marriage Protection Amendment (formerly called the Federal Marriage
Amendment) (S.J. Res. 1) would have enshrined discrimination into the
U.S. Constitution by defining marriage as the union between one man and
one woman and prohibiting federal and state laws from conferring
same-sex couples with marital status and “the legal incidents
thereof.” The amendment would thereby endanger civil unions and
domestic partnership benefits. The amendment failed by a vote of
49-48, falling 11 votes short of the 60 necessary to invoke cloture, a
procedural motion to advance to a vote on the substance of the bill
(Record Vote No. 163). The amendment would have needed 67 votes
(two-thirds majority) to pass. HRC opposed this amendment.
Biden also opposed it.
● Justice Samuel Alito Confirmation (January 31, 2006)
The Senate voted on President W. Bush’s nomination of Judge Samuel
Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Senate confirmed his
nomination 58-42 (Record Vote No. 2). HRC opposed this
nomination. Biden also opposed it.
● Judge William Pryor Confirmation (June 9, 2005)
The Senate voted on President Bush’s nomination of Judge William Pryor
to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The Senate confirmed
his nomination 53-45 (Record Vote No. 133). HRC opposed this
nomination. Biden also opposed it.
PRESS
RELEASE from Hillary Clinton for President
For Immediate Release
August 23, 2008
Contact: Press Office,
STATEMENT FROM HILLARY
CLINTON
Hillary Clinton made the following statement today after receiving news
that Senator Obama had chosen Senator Biden as his Vice Presidential
nominee:
"In naming my colleague and friend Senator Joe Biden to be the Vice
Presidential nominee, Senator Obama has continued in the best
traditions for the Vice Presidency by selecting an exceptionally
strong, experienced leader and devoted public servant. Senator
Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic Vice President who will help
Senator Obama both win the Presidency and govern this great country."
PRESS RELEASES from John
McCain 2008
STATEMENT
FROM MCCAIN CAMPAIGN ON SEN. OBAMA'S SELECTION OF SEN. BIDEN AS RUNNING
MATE
For Immediate Release Contact: Ben Porritt
Saturday, August 23, 2008
ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, McCain spokesman Ben Porritt issued the
following statement on Barack Obama's selection of Joe Biden as his
running mate:
"There has been no harsher critic of Barack Obama's lack of experience
than Joe Biden. Biden has denounced Barack Obama's poor foreign policy
judgment and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are
quickly realizing -- that Barack Obama is not ready to be President."
###
JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TV AD: "BIDEN"
For Immediate Release Contact: Press Office
Saturday, August 23, 2008
ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today
released its latest television ad, entitled "Biden." As the ad
highlights, before he was selected to run on the Democratic ticket, Joe
Biden questioned Barack Obama's lack of experience and said he would be
"honored" to run with John McCain. The ad will air in key states.
VIEW THE AD HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVUPqoowf8
Script For
"Biden" (TV :30)
ANNCR:
What does Barack Obama's running mate say about Barack Obama?
ABC'S GEORGE
STEPHANOPOULOS: You were asked, "Is he ready?" You said, "I
think he can be ready but right now, I don't believe he is. The
presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."
JOE BIDEN: I
think that I stand by the statement.
ANNCR: And
what does he say about John McCain?
BIDEN: I
would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think
the country would be better off.
JOHN MCCAIN:
I'm John McCain and I approve this message.
AD FACTS:
Script For "Biden" (TV :30)
ANNCR:
What does Barack Obama's running mate say about Barack Obama?
ABC'S GEORGE
STEPHANOPOULOS: You were asked, "Is he ready?" You said, "I
think he can be ready but right now, I don't believe he is. The
presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."
JOE BIDEN: I
think that I stand by the statement.
·
Joe Biden Said Obama Is Not
Ready To Serve As President. ABC's George Stephanopoulos: "You
were asked is he ready. You said 'I think he can be ready, but right
now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends
itself to on-the-job training.'" Sen. Biden: "I think that I stand by
the statement." (ABC's, "This Week," 8/19/07)
ANNCR: And
what does he say about John McCain?
BIDEN: Iwould be
honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think the country
would be better off.
JOHN MCCAIN: I'm
John McCain and I approve this message.
·
Joe Biden Said He'd Be
Honored To Run With McCain.Comedy Central's Jon Stewart: "You
may end up going against a Senate colleague, perhaps McCain, perhaps
Frist?" Sen. Biden: "John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend,
and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I
think the country would be better off -- be well off no matter who..."
Stewart: "Did I hear, Did I hear with?" Sen. Biden: "You know, John
McCain and I think" Stewart: "Don't become cottage cheese my friend.
Say it." Sen. Biden: "The answer is yes." (Comedy Central's "The Daily
Show" 8/2/05)
###
PRESS
RELEASE from the Republican National Committee
RNC
Launches Biden Gaffe Clock - August 23, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON – The Republican
National Committee (RNC) launched a new clock today counting the time
until Sen. Joe Biden’s next gaffe.
Just 12 hours after being chosen as Barack Obama’s running mate,
Biden made his first gaffe at 3:31 p.m. EDT. The RNC’s new clock
will count the hours, minutes and seconds until Biden’s next slip up on
the campaign trail.
PRESS
RELEASE from Republican Party of Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama’s weaknesses
highlighted by veep pick
Virginians and
Biden agree: “The presidency is not something that lends itself to
on-the-job training”
Richmond, Virginia(August 23, 2008) – Early this morning, Democrat
Presidential nominee Barack Obama sidestepped Virginia Governor Tim
Kaine as his running mate by tapping U.S. Senator Joe Biden to be his
running-mate.
Biden, a senior member of the Senate and a point person within the
Democratic Party on foreign policy, was perhaps Obama’s biggest critic
during the primary season. Earlier this year, Biden was asked if Obama
was ready to be president. Biden responded: “I don't believe he is. The
presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.”
The selection signals that the Obama campaign seems to agree with
Biden’s assessment of Obama’s lack of experience to be president, as
well as a change in strategy. First elected to the Senate in 1972,
Biden represents the Washington insider and status quoimage Obama has
sought to be the antithesis of, and to be a change agent against.
“It's clear that Barack Obama is nervous about this election, because
he is obviously compensating for his significant lack of experience.
Obama has selected a running-mate who doesn't believe he is ready to be
President, and so I guess even Obama himself is concerned that 3 years
out of the Illinois State Senate is hardly enough to prepare one to be
commander-in-chief and the leader of the free world,” said Delegate
Jeffrey M. Frederick, Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.
“I think that while most Virginians very much disagree with Senator
Biden’s views on raising taxes on hard-working families; his strong
opposition to Second-Amendment rights; and his opposition to offshore
drilling, I know Virginians share the Senator’s view that Barack Obama
is just simply not ready to be President of the United States – and
that ‘the country would be better off’ with John McCain in the White
House,” Frederick added.
###
PRESS RELEASE from Fidelis
Choice of Biden
Re-Opens Catholic Wound - Own Bishop Outspoken on Obligation to Protect
Life
August 23,
2008
CHICAGO – The selection of Delaware Senator Joseph
Biden as the vice presidential running mate of Barack Obama poses a
major challenge for American Catholics, according to Fidelis, a
national Catholic-based advocacy group.
Fidelis warned late last month that a pro-abortion Catholic choice as a
vice presidential candidate would offend many Catholics who have
struggled with the scandal of prominent pro-abortion Catholic
politicians like Senator Biden.
Fidelis President Brian Burch commented, “Barack Obama has re-opened a
wound among American Catholics by picking a pro-abortion Catholic
politician. The American bishops have made clear that Catholic
political leaders must defend the dignity of every human person,
including the unborn. Sadly, Joe Biden’s tenure in the United
States Senate has been marked by steadfast support for legal abortion.”
During the recent Democratic primary campaign Biden said: “I am a
long-standing supporter of Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose.”
In 2004, John Kerry’s support for abortion sparked a nationwide
controversy over whether Catholics who support legal abortion can
receive Communion. The debate was re-activated in 2007 when several
bishops criticized Rudy Guiliani, also a pro-abortion Catholic.
“Now everywhere Biden campaigns, we’ll have this question of whether a
pro-abortion Catholic can receive Communion. Senator Biden is an
unrepentant supporter of abortion in direct opposition to the Church he
claims as his own. Selecting a pro-abortion Catholic is a slap in the
face to Catholic voters,” said Burch.
Biden's own bishop, Bishop Michael Saltarelli of Wilmington, Del.,
has said that the issues pertaining to the sanctity of
human life are the "great civil rights issues of this generation.”
Bishop Saltarelli denounced the notion that politicians can 'personally
oppose' abortion, but refuse to pass laws protecting the unborn.
"No one today would accept this statement from any public servant: 'I
am personally opposed to human slavery and racism but will not impose
my personal conviction in the legislative arena.' Likewise, none of us
should accept this statement from any public servant: "I am personally
opposed to abortion but will not impose my personal conviction in the
legislative arena,” said Bishop Saltarelli.
In fact, Bishop Saltarelli made clear that pro-abortion Catholic
politicians should refrain from receiving the Eucharist.
"The promotion of abortion by any Catholic is a grave and serious
matter. Objectively, according to the constant teaching of the
Scriptures and the Church, it would be more spiritually beneficial for
such a person to refrain from receiving the Body and Blood of
Christ. I ask Catholics in this position to have the integrity to
respect the Eucharist, Catholic teaching and the Catholic faithful.”
Burch concluded: “The American bishops have instructed Catholic voters
to consider many issues, but have characterized the defense of human
life as ‘foundational’ and have explained that the issue has a special
claim on the conscience of the Catholic voter. This means that a
political candidate like Biden, because of his strong support for
abortion rights, forfeits any claim for support despite his views on
other issues like health care and the economy.”
PRESS
RELEASE from FRC Action
FRC Action Releases Fact Sheet on Family Record of Senator Joe Biden
August, 23 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2008
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy
Washington D.C. - Early this morning the presumptive Democratic nominee
for President, Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) named fellow Senator
Joseph Biden (D-Del.) as his vice presidential running mate. Senator
Biden was first elected to the Senate in 1972 and has a long record on
issues important to the family. For your convenience, FRCAction, the
legislative action arm of Family Research Council has compiled a list
of recent votes on key issues.
On Roe v. Wade
"I strongly support Roe v. Wade. . . That's why I led the fight to
defeat Bork, Roberts Alito, and Thomas." 2007 South Carolina Democratic
primary debate, MSNBC April 26, 2007
On protecting the unborn child or minors in cases of abortion
Voted against defining the unborn child as eligible for SCHIP: Amends
the definition of the term "targeted low-income child" to provide that
such term includes the period from conception to birth, for eligibility
for child health assistance. S.Amdt. to S.ConRes.70, Senator Allard
Amendment, Roll Call 08-S81, March 14, 2008
Voted against stopping ne'er-do-well adults taking minors across state
lines for an abortion: S.Amdt 4335 to S.Con.Res. 70, Roll Call 08-S71,
March 13, 2008.
Voted against parental notification of minors who get out-of-state
abortions: S.403, Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, Roll Call
06-216, July 25, 2006
Voted against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act: Bill makes it a
criminal offense to harm or kill a fetus during the commission of a
violent crime. S.1019/H.R. 1997, Unborn Victims of Violence Act, Roll
Call 04-63, March 25, 2004
Voted for the Partial Birth Abortion Ban: S. 1692, Partial Birth
Abortion Ban, Roll Call 99-340, October 21, 1999 (He did not vote on
the one that became law in the 108th Congress.)
On taxpayer funding
Voted for increasing taxpayer funding for destructive embryonic stem
cell experimentation: S.5/H.R. 3, Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act,
Roll Call 07-127, April 11, 2007
Voted for increasing funding to Planned Parenthood and similar clinics
by $100 million: S.Amdt. 244 to S.Con.Res 18, Appropriation to expand
access to preventive health care services, Roll Call 05-75, March 17,
2005
Voted for taxpayer funding of abortions on military bases: S. 2549,
Roll Call 00-134, June 20, 2000
Voted against banning human cloning: Motion to proceed for S. 1601,
Roll Call 98-10, February 11, 1998.
NOTE: Senator Biden co-sponsored the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) in
the 102nd and 103rd Congresses but has not since. FOCA would overturn
hundreds of state laws on the books that limit abortion.
MARRIAGE AND HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA
Voted against the Marriage Protection Amendment: S.J.Res. 1, Roll Call
06-163, June 7, 2006.
Vote for the Defense of Marriage Act: H.R. 3396, Roll Call 96-280,
September 10, 1996.
Voted in favor of the Federal Hate Crimes Act: Thought crimes amendment
to the Department of Defense Authorization that would establish federal
"hate crimes" for certain violent acts based on the actual or perceived
race, religion, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation of
any person. S. Amdt. 3035, Roll Call No. 07-350, September 27, 2007.
For allowing gays in the military: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm
College June 3, 2007.
MISCELLANEOUS
Voted against confirming Samuel Alito (January, 2006), John Roberts
(September, 2005) and Clarence Thomas (October, 1991) for the Supreme
Court.
0% in the FRC Action Scorecard for the 110th Congress.
100% in the Planned Parenthood Scorecard for the 109th Congress.
100% in Americans United Scorecard for the 109th Congress.
78% in the Human Rights Campaign Scorecard for the 109th Congress.
F grade from the National Taxpayers Union Congressional Rating
F grade from the National Rifle Association.
- 30 -
PRESS RELEASE
from Dr. Robert Leonard/Leonard Hair Transplant Associates via
PRNewswire
Vice Presidential Candidate Joe
Biden Draws Attention to Hair Transplants
CRANSTON, R.I., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ --
A quick look at political figures worldwide shows that many high
profile leaders have had hair transplants to avoid baldness -- some
less successful than others.
"Hair loss is no laughing matter, and a bad or patchy hair
transplant can have serious repercussions," says Dr. Robert Leonard,
New England's hair restoration specialist (http://www.hairdr.com).
Take Democrat Vice Presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware,
for example, who famously underwent hair plug surgery and was widely
referenced for it during the Anita Hill senate hearings. He is being
criticized again today now that he is back in the political spotlight.
"The results of hair plug restoration techniques of yesteryear are not
always pretty. Senator Biden's procedure was very obvious back then -
and is still evident to the naked eye today, which is not reflective of
today's hair restoration capabilities," said Dr. Leonard.
"In contrast, there are many men, including politicians, who have had
successful procedures. I just returned from a hair restoration workshop
in Italy, where Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has had great results
with new hair restoration procedures," said Dr. Robert Leonard. "His
transplants look natural, full and seamless - just the way a successful
hair transplant should look."
Today there are new procedures that involve transplanting grafts of
hair-bearing skin that contain only one to three hairs, a large
improvement from the abandoned "hair plug" method where 25 to 30 hairs
per graft were transplanted.
Dr. Robert Leonard has treated men and women with hair loss for over 22
years and recently co-directed the International Society of Hair
Restoration Surgery's (ISHRS) first-of-its-kind interactive hair
restoration surgical workshop in Rome, Italy. In addition, Dr. Leonard
is past president and an active member of the International Society of
Hair Restoration Surgery, and has offices in Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and New Hampshire.
For more information on Dr. Robert Leonard or Leonard Hair Transplant
Associates, call 1-888-284-9558 or visit http://www.hairdr.com.
Note to Editors:
Dr. Robert Leonard is available for interview upon request
High resolution images available for publication upon request