E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Vice President Joe Biden has worked to cultivate an identity as an accessible guy-next-door who can effortlessly pivot from lamenting unfair foreclosure practices to reminiscing about the cars he borrowed from his auto salesman dad in his youth.
The son of Scranton cultivated his trademark folksiness over the span of a national political career that started when he was just 29 years old, and endured four decades of Capitol Hill's brass-knuckled floor debates. The experience has yielded a Biden a set of verbal habits that run the scale from being touchingly relatable to being fish-in-a-barrel fodder for Saturday Night Live's writers.
Here's your pre-debate guide to BidenSpeak:
"Literally" = The Tiffany blue, the Nike Swoosh, the Harry Caray specs... His reliance on the "literally" adverb is a Biden trademark so pronounced that its hashtag raced to the top of the Twitter trending list during the vice president's DNC address. At its best, his utterance adds urgency to his message that inspires audiences to fiery activism. At worst, it can be, well, cause for head-scratching. Biden used the word 10 times in his convention speech, at one point uttering it twice in one sentence. His usage ranges from accurate (adv. "In a literal manner or sense; exactly:") to a substitute for near-antonym "figuratively" (adv. "Based on or making use of figures of speech; metaphorical"). An example of the latter: "And the direction we turn is not figuratively, is literally in your hands."
"My neighborhood"= An often-used reference from the Pennsylvania native turned Delawarean, Biden frequently talks about his "neighborhood" as a prism for how middle class Americans view fancy talk from politicians. Example: "A thousand bucks? That's a lot of money in neighborhood!" The list includes Scranton, Claymont, Del. - where his family moved when his father couldn't find work in Pennsylvania - and his current hometown of Wilmington, Del.
"Show me your budget"= Joe Biden's family has, as followers of the vice president well know, a lot of "expressions." His mother Jean favored "God love ya," which Biden often uses on the road. His brother was a fan of "go figure." But the most religiously cited family Bidenism is his father's saying about an organization's priorities. "Don't tell me what you value," he frequently quotes his father, Joe Sr., as saying. "Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value." In this scenario, Biden's father is often speaking to a fictional friend named Charlie, whose voice closely matches Biden's "generic Republican" impression.
"I love it when these guys..."= Prefacing a statement of perceived hypocrisy by his opponents, Biden will often sarcastically profess his affection for their policy positions. Example: "I love it when these guys say they're looking out for the middle class!" Hint: He does not actually love it.
"A backbone like a ramrod" = Merriam-Webster says the definition of a ramrod is "a cleaning rod for small arms." The vertebrae of the president, per his second in command, is similar.
"Southern Delaware" = Biden is fond of pointing out that his small state of Delaware is a wealthy one that's home to many giants of the banking industry. But he also feels a connection to America's more rural communities via bucolic Southern Delaware, a land of agriculture and country hospitality. After he was accused of making a racially-tinged contraction by saying that Republican policies would "put y'all back in chains," Biden was quick to reference the dialect of the southern part of his home state as the origin of the twangy pronoun. "He's got a new idea for y'all, as they say in Southern Delaware," he said of Romney during a rally in the distinctly un-Southern city of Detroit.
"Caspy the Ghost" = The cherub-like specter who's long delighted children made its debut in Joe Biden's stump speech during a campaign swing in mid-August in North Carolina and Virginia. Referencing his young granddaughter, evidently a fan of the cartoon, Biden often uses the friendly ghost to illustrate why that Republicans fail to understand the policy origins of the 2008 fiscal crash. "As my little granddaughter would say, was it Caspy the Ghost who came along and did this?" says Biden. "Who did it?"
Leave a Comment:
Ha!
Expert in what?
Vice-President Joe Biden, who authored the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, will be very fine indeed.
However, this year Paul Ryan voted for the House version of this Bill - that prevents protections of minority women. He has a LOT to answer for.
Paul Ryan may try to hide his record, as Romney did so disgracefully last week, but nothing will take away from the fact that Ryan is the most EXTREME con merchant to run for this office since 1900.
This is 2012. We don't need what RyanRomney is selling.
NO THANK YOU.
Biden who also voted for a constitutional amendment overturning Roe v Wade.
But I love the "show me your budget" line. Think he ever asked Reid or Obama to show theirs?
So Navy - you side with Biden in trying to overturn Roe v Wade?
That will shut her up Spanky. She has no answer.
Holy cow, they are trying to explain what he says BEFORE he says it.
That is just classic.
Guess they'll be really busy tomorrow trying to explain what this guy ACTUALLY says tonight.
Biden also was in charge of the ARRA, ie., the 2009 stimulus. Epic failure.
Looks like everybody messed with Joe.
If Joe gets off script and gets weird, like going into his odd 'accents' (7-11 Indian guy for example), it's not clear how, but Joe might somehow someway talk us into a war with Canada by the end of the night.
Sure Joe. Whatever you say.
Petunia, is this October 2012?
Mitt Romney says he WILL:
1) Overturn Roe versus Wade as soon as he gets the chance.
2) And he will appoint Supreme Court judges who will vote to overturn Rove versus Wade.
ROMNEY SAYS THIS NOW.
IN 2012.
And tomorrow David Walker will have to interpret for us what he said. LMAO.
And let's not forget Biden was for the war in Iraq before he was against it.
Biden sure took care of that stimulus money getting people back to work. I wonder how many people got laid off when Solyndra went under. Oh, and now the crooks there are trying to do a dirty deal under the table. No surprise there.
FAIL
when you have to explain ahead of time, that shows a sign of no confidence. Where's Feisty, she did that last week. Claiming the MSM was going to be unfair just mere hours before the Pres debate.
Get you DDI talking points now.
Paul Ryan should come out on stage in a wheelchair.
That seems to throw old Joe off his game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRV5Y1JCGRI
We probably won't know what Joe said until the linguistics experts have had enough time to analyze it.
Chuck Graham? Biden is really a pumpkin. Biden vs Quayle though
Chains or Potatoe
Funniest comment EVER, " it's not clear how, but Joe might somehow someway talk us into a war with Canada by the end of the night." I dang near snorted the drink I was taking straight up my nose! And the truly funny part, is the truth behind the statement! I've been saying since before the almighty bho had it handed to him, that Mr. Ryan is going to absolutely clean up against Joe "Bite Me" Biden. Honestly, all Mr. Ryan has to do is show up, and try real hard to keep a straight face while ole "Bite Me" rambles on about his 40 years in Washington, keeping people in chains, his first car, his first bike, etc., etc. This is almost going to be comical. Have a great evening Americans, except you silly liberals, and y'all have a delusional evening!
Wrong again Spanky,
Straight out of Wikipedia
Go spank yourself now.
OBAMA/BIDEN SPANKS YOU!
NPCDan gimme some of that stuff you are drinking. On second thought.....
If you're referring to the supposed vote in 1982 for the "Human Life Federalism Amendment", it didn't actually attempt to overturn Roe v Wade as you falsely claimed.
But regardless, it sounds like Biden's views are far better now........and vastly to superior to Ryan & Romney's misogynistic views.
Spanky-
in 1982.
You want a list of 59 ani-abortion votes that Paul Ruyan cast in this DECADE?
JERSY GIRL 1
I'll bet you that most Congresmen(women) would tell you the same; that they were for it before they found out that they were lied to. Here is what the Congess was told AFTER they voted for the war:
these are just couple of sentences, the rest you can read:
http://intelligence.senate.gov/press/record.cfm?id=298775
three letters: J-O-B-S
-------------------------------------
-------Do not be fooled.-------
-------------------------------------
Tonight,
Paul Ryan will do what he does best...
LIE.
He will be Mr. Moderate VP. Candidate.
He will not deny nor accept women's rights.
He will stand with Romney the Moderate Mitt.
Paul Lyan does not care what his base thinks nor he cares what the Democrats think.
Lyan only cares what the millions of people watching think.
Lyan will take Myth Romney's advice and say what they think those millions want to hear.
Lyan will say he's pro everything while on TV, he has his own party's back on that.
They know that the only people criticizing will be the Democrats and they do not care as long as their lies are taken seriously by Millions.
Mark my words, Lyan will LIE and LIE and LIE and DENY, DENY, DENY.
And millions will believe his LIES, just like they beleived Myth Romney.
Biden better not bother asking questions, he better throw as many facts as possible and sell sell sell Obama.
When this is over, remember to refer to this post.
Great. So now we have translators for Joespeak. That really isn't a stunning vote of confidence for the VP. Rather like a mother who 'understands' her toddler's gibberish and explains it to innocent bystanders.
Reminds me of the Bad Lip Reading Biden spoof. If you're not familiar go to youtube for the bad lipreading videos, they have all the wonderful politicans.
"A backbone like a ramrod"
Actually, I've heard him say "A spine of steel" more, but who's arguing?
God love ya, Joe. Literally.
And hey, forget "Biden speak" - try "Ryan look" and I promise you, you'll watch the debate tonight from a whole new perspective:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/11/paul-ryan-workout_n_1957452.html?utm_hp_ref=vice-presidential-debate&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing5%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D218678
While more appropriately attired, honestly, those photos are too reminiscent of Anthony Wiener (yuck). What is it with guys in the gym?
?
So what are 'guys' supposed to wear in a gym?
Or in Weiner's case - when they snap a dick pic.?
Ursula -
Beats me. A few years back, I spent a couple of years lifting weights two or three times a week at the gym as part of a medical research study, and I never once saw any of the other women there preening and admiring themselves in the mirror the way the guys in the weight room did.
Spanky - Don't I recall you during the Weiner thing bragging about sending similar pix to Mrs. Spanky's cell phone while she was in a meeting?
JoAnne, you are a pistol.........literally, I mean literally! Don't you just love it when Joe uses the word literally when it is actually in a figurative way?!
WE LOVE YA JOE! GO GET 'EM!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2.0
JoAnne, thanks for the link :)
Alaska Girl ... funny post!
Go get 'em Joe!
They forgot two of Biden's BEST phrases:
It's a Red Herring...
- and -
That's a bunch of malarkey...
I think that "Bidenisms" need to be trending, and I think they will before the end of tonight's debate!
"GOD LOVE YA, JOE!"
OBAMA/BIDEN 2.0
Thanks for the link, but I just can't do it! I can't handle his looks when he is fully clothed, and I would really like to make it through the rest of the day without the need to vomit!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2.0
Alaska Girl -
Come on now......God love ya, you're an Alaskan! Be strong!
(Honestly, it's not the clothes, it's the goofy look on his face that's worth a peek.....)
Alaska Girl,
They made me throw up in my mouth a little...
As Steeler Fan commented previously, now we know where Chaachi went after his show was cancelled! lol
We are a strong bunch of chicks here, but we like our men rugged! Ryan is too, I don't know, yuk? Sorry, that's the best I can come up with. He has one of the oddest faces I have seen. He reminds me of a hobbit!
Thanks, Feisty, now I know I won't take a look!
JoAnne, you crack me up!
Obama/Biden 2.0
Alaska Girl,
No kidding! The "guns" are fine ... it just needs a photoshopped head.
Obama/Biden 2012
Alaska Girl,
If I ever find myself single again, I'm heading up your way to find me a boy-toy!
Alaskan men are HOT!
Amen, sista! Alaskan men are just so laid back and cool.
Layton: While we are at it, could we give him a photo shopped brain?
Obama/Biden 2.0
You want to photoshop Biden's brain?
I saw the jar Biden's brain came out of it said abby... abby normal
Fiesty and Alaska Girl- where are you going to find a Libby Alaskan guy? Most of us are independent, republican or libertarian. Not too many libbys up here. Most of those greenies are lower 48 clowns.
You go Joe! Make us proud!
The best thing about Joe? He KNOWS middle and blue collar America. And he loves them all! Romney, Queen Ann and lyin' Ryan? Not so much. Watch Ryan look down his nose at the suggestion that there should be a safety net that keeps people from falling completely threw the cracks into starvation. HE, of course, took his survivor benefits from Social Security, but he was not the "undeserving poor". They hypocrisy is breathtaking.
Romney just informed us that no one dies in their apartments from lack of insurance. That shows how disconnected he is. Everyone, not of his class, is in an apartment, ever notice that?
What he doesn't get is that many families wind up with crushing debt, taking them directly to bankruptcy due to hospital bills. Hospitals wind up charging those with insurance higher rates to cover those that don't have insurance. It drives up costs for EVERYONE!
But that's okay, as long and Mittens, Queen Ann and lyin Ryan can stay in their rarefied world.
Oh my - look at all the name calling.
Desperation is so ugly.
And really NewDay - just a bunch of liars? What happened to felons?
Seems like just yesterday you libbies we telling us all about how Mitt was a felon who lied on SEC disclosures.
As if any of you have ever even seen and SEC document.
Please.
Oh NOES!!!
Not those lowly apartment dwellers! Hell half don't even have a garage, let alone one with an elevator for his multiple cars!
Says the dick who has his own aircraft... lol
PS: NDD I see where Skanky has latched onto your leg. Isn't the ignore feature wonderful?
You can see where the little leg humpers are hiding and you don't have to read it! lmao!
In case you are to dumb to read, so did Paul Ryan come from a working class family. But Ryan is far more intelligent then Biden.
Spanky - seen many SEC disclosures - I'm sure more than you have EVER seen. How's the burger flipping going, anyway You and CA should get together and open a buger/pizza place. It would be a step up for both of you!
Obama/Biden 2012
Saying 'apartment' is racist. At least according to Chris "Tingles" Matthews.
Paul Ryan is from a wealthy, privileged, family who inherited his great-grandfather's railroad (later highway) construction firm (Ryan Inc.) that began in 1884.
Over the course of the century, they received hundreds of millions in federal dollars. They DIDN'T BUILD THAT on their own.
Paul Ryan has worked in politics all his life, and got his college degree from social security benefits left by his father.
(Ryan refers to you and me as the "30%". Romney calls us the "47%".)
Those are the facts.
Spanky you expect too much from the FR vandals. sure there are a couple that arent quite as brash but seriously. look at the two lovely ladies posting currently.
hey look seeking again pretending to relevant. oh well Seeking Approval, its always fun to be keyboard cowboy. Hey seeking quit lying though, everyone knows you have no more than a 12th grade education.
Feisty, I don't think "Ignore" means what you think it means.
Seems just Spanky's moniker on a collapsed comment forces you to respond/mention him. Face it, Red, you have a problem.
and you don't have to read it!
Yet you still feel obliged to acknowledge it.
Thought you were going to check back into Re-Hab today and finally try to kick that nasty problem.
You can quit "anytime you want" right?
People like the Romneys will always look down their noses at people like Joe Biden. They truly underestimate the value that he brings to the people, and that he is one of the few beloved figures left in politics today, as well as a respected statesman.
KNOCK 'EM CRAZY, JOE!
WCA, oops moment for Feisty. 'i mean i didnt see spanky's comment, someone told me, yeah, uh thats it. someone told me! So F*&k off WCA'
GOOD TIMES A PLENTY
Feisty: I put Spankster on ignore long ago. I just don't have time for his infantile comments.
But, tell where did Joisey ever get the idea that Ryan is from a working class family?
And I apologize for the misuse of "threw." Was paying too much attention to a young collie who wanted to go out in the shelter belt and play. We had a lovely game of "Wubba" in the trees.
But I'll be your Huckleberry NDD LOL. Im sure you put spanky on ignore, sure you did.
Yuppers!
Like his BFF little seizure, they can never make a stand alone comment.
It's always the same with them, jump onto someone elses post, toss out a couple of lame one liners and move onto the next victim! lol
Oh, and, then there's Skanky and his incessant questions.
They have been answered multiple times, but hey, anything to distract & attempt to throw people off message, wasting time arguing with a mail boy!
Nah, I'll take a pass... none of them are worth the time & effort!
We have an election to WIN, don't get distracted by the little demons! ;o)
Kills brain cells if you get stuck reading either one of them. God. I can't take the tedium.
Otis,
Please stop projecting!
If you want help talk to the wife and kids, I'm sure they would appreciate livin with a sober father & husband!
Says the broad who hasn't been able to haul her fat ass out of the basement in years!
Say, sweetie, when was the last time you've seen daylight?
Pot and kettle thing again eh Fisty? You played that hand last night.
Figure it is just about kick in time for your late afternoon early evening rants full of rabid name calling and inuendo. You are pure entertainment when you get scared AND loaded.
Caesar,
Someone with a 12th grade education would have better grammar and capitalization.
Feisty, Ceasar, Spanky: as Ann Romney would say, " Stop it, you people." :0
How about a little civility ?
Says Talkie old boy in a rage filled post that is exactly what he criticizes.
cool, thats fine, my message stands but tell me comrade those standard issue duds?
Feisty's full of crap per usual. See how she brought me up. yeah ignore feature is great. too bad its lost on our super technical Feisty. Its funny wait till NoJoe shows up. Man o Man Feisty blows a gasket every time.
speaking of nonsense. Funny how Feisty can't discuss the issues at hand and throws out 'one liners' of irrelevant trash. Nope, feisty and her little clique are just a horde of feral chihuahua's
Popcorn - Check
Margaritas - Check
Pretzels - Check
After the Congressman answers a question, I would LOVE to see Joe turn to Paul Ryan and say;
"Are you fricken kidding me?"
Have fun tonight, all.
Salud
Who?
Oh him, he also made my exclusive ignore list!
If you've read one of his juvenile taunts, you've read them all... lol
enjoy youre fake ignore list, just like your virtual popcorn and your virtual Franzia
Bon appetite Sport
AlaskaGirl, Anybody who respects a politician better count their wrist after they shake their hand.
I would think the old, cliched, worn-out Biden will fare as well as Bozobama in this debate. He can use all the old, tired phrases he wants because he has no new ideas, certainly none that will work.
Biden, yet another career politician who honestly needs to be put to pasture. His ridiculous smirk shows just how much of a buffoon the man truly is. Are the good people of Delaware really that stupid, to habitually re-elect this condenscending idiot? He did dance nicely around the most recent foreign policy disaster though, even when pressed by the moderator (who had the almighty bho as a guest at her wedding), he hem-hawed completely around the subject. Our "allies" in China and Russia. Seriously??? Putin and co. have continuously stymied any decent attempt at putting the kibosh on the Syrian situation, and Bite-me thanks them for that. What a complete tool. Be sure to thank our allies, the Chinese, when the start extending their military throughout the South Pacific. Career politicians are always "sincere", they know exactly how to "win" an election.
This headline and article with gushing praise of Joe Biden brought to you by the Obama reelection Team, MSNBC division...
No mention of gaffes, it is all peaches and cream...
And the "team" did a super job!
GIVE 'EM HELL, JOE!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2.0
Fortunately, we won't have to worry about there ever being any sort of lexicon of Romney Speak or RyanSpeak, after November, their time in politics will be over.
Well.......Romney does love to say, and he says it quite frequently, "Oh, and by the way......". Paul Ryan is always saying "baseline". I guess those could both count as speak isms, as lame as they sound.
WTF - We need a dictionary to understand Biden? This is rediculous.
Okay, I gotta do this. Based on the spelling in your comment, you do appear to need a dictionary. Just sayin. You're welcome.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2.0
Go get him, Joe. Expose Lyin' Ryan's lies and his partener's flip flops. Pick up the baton dropped by Obama and pass the other team so that when the baton is passed again that Obama will have a slight edge and can carry it to the finish line a victor. Folksey isn't bad if done right.
Adler, Truth is not in the vocabulary of a politician even good o'l Joe, the baton man, I wouldn't bend over around a politician with a stick in their hand, you'll get it in the end. ;-} Lyin Ryan and BS Biden! what a show tonight!
Biden is a great person, who cares about this country, and 100% of it's citizens not just the rich, very different from Ryan and his Ayn Rand philosophizes, you know the Russian born atheist writer, who up until being picked for VP was her biggest fan!
And about Biden's gaffe's, I find them endearing and human, and republicans have no room to talk, they loved Bush who at times couldn't put a coherent sentence together.
Romney up until the debate was constantly putting his silver foot in his mouth, but he showed that he is a performer, a great used car salesman, snake oil whatever take your pick!
O&JOE
Hummbird: The thing I always remember about Joe Biden is this. After his wife and child died in that horrible car accident, he made sure he raised his kids. It was said of him at the time that he took the train home every night, didn't do the cocktail party circuit, his family was too important to him.
That speaks volumes about his character.
YOU FORGOT ONE THAT JOE SAYS.................."i'm a moron '.........
Yes. You are.
SNAP!
"GIVE 'EM HELL, JOE!"
OBAMA/BIDEN 2.0
3 plus years and counting. Thanks Joe!
the idiots at msn nbc are just laying the ground work. Tomorrow then they will try to say he really did not sat that what he meant was
We are not really sure???? Can't figure it out???? Haven't got a clue????
Wow his father was a car salesman -- seems the apple didn't fall far from the tree after all! All that early training in lying, distorting, and bullying. hahahahahaha
I was expecting a funny article with all of the material you could have used, this was a waste of time!
And yet here you are!
Is anybody ever going to define what "fair share" means. I'll bet we hear that one.
Oh yes I am sure we will. Love that broad brush phrase. Fair is determined by the recipient or in the case of this administration, the "taker".
Here is my idea for an Obama debate strategy. Stay at home in the White House and let Romney debate himself. After all, he has proven that he can convincingly take a position on either side of every issue, so why not let him argue both sides?
Biden's best years are ahead of him as the favorite lackey at the neighborhood bar, he will brighten up any drunken brawl. Obumer and Gaffer Biden can't fill an inside straight! NOBAMA 2012!
whole thing is a 'literal' joke!
I believe it is Casper the Ghost, not Caspy the Ghost.
I will have my fingers crossed for Joe Biden this evening. He is going up against a hard rightwing fanatic who thinks he's got the only saleable goods when it comes to the economy; and who thinks he can rob women and gays of every right they have been fighting for, so hard, for decades. Take him to the cleaners Joe Biden!
Isn't "Biden Speak" more commonly known as senile gibberish or "foot in mouth disease" ?????
Don't forget "It's not my fault, it's the fault of the guy who had this office before me!"
No white people in Delaware say y'all, certainly not the ones who live in mansions like Joe. And no sane person believes his explanation for the "put you BACK in chains" remark.
Joe is as real as his hairline.
-------------------------------------
-------Do not be fooled.-------
-------------------------------------
Tonight,
Paul Ryan will do what he does best...
LIE.
He will be Mr. Moderate VP. Candidate.
He will not deny nor accept women's rights.
He will stand with Romney the Moderate Mitt.
Paul Lyan does not care what his base thinks nor he cares what the Democrats think.
Lyan only cares what the millions of people watching think.
Lyan will take Myth Romney's advice and say what they think those millions want to hear.
Lyan will say he's pro everything while on TV, he has his own party's back on that.
They know that the only people criticizing will be the Democrats and they do not care as long as their lies are taken seriously by Millions.
Mark my words, Lyan will LIE and LIE and LIE and Deny, deny, deny.
When this is over, remember to refer to this post.
Will Joe tell the truth about how Obama lied about the murder of our Ambassador?
I mean, since you guys are so interested in the truth.
I will wait for Joe to explain his comment about the middle class being crushed for the past 4 years... that should be interesting.
I am so sick of Biteme interrupting Ryan. NO manners!!!!!!!!!!
Biden is an idiot. No manners, smug, condescending, and rude. Besides that he lied 3 times and now its part of recorded history that screw-up joe did it again.
Better than Ryan's 10 lies, or Romney's 27 lies. If someone lied to me and the American people that many times, I'd have a lot less restraint than Biden.