Posted on 09/06/2008 1:48:05 PM PDT by Chet 99
Posted on Sat, Sep. 6, 2008
Biden gets mixed welcome in Northeast Local Dem leaders say race is issue for many voters
By DAVE DAVIES Philadelphia Daily News
daviesd@phillynews.com 215-854-2595 DEMOCRATIC vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden went stumping for votes yesterday in Northeast Philadelphia, where Democrats need to earn the love of Democrats who voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama in the April primary.
He worked a diner, gave a rousing speech on bread-and-butter issues at a union hall, and reeled off a memorable line tying the Republican candidate to the unpopular team in the White House.
"My friend John McCain and George Bush are joined at the hip," Biden said. "And we need a hip replacement very, very badly."
So how is the ticket doing with the Northeast's white working and middle-class voters?
Mike McAleer, the veteran Democratic ward leader of the 66th ward in the far Northeast, said Obama and Biden haven't closed the deal yet.
"The Dunkin' Donut crowd tells me that we've got everything going for us but Obama," McAleer said. "They can't give me a direct answer. Do I have them right now in the 66th ward? No. But I got 60 days to get them."
Asked what the problem is with Obama, McAleer paused and said: "It's his color . . . I tell them he's half white and half black. He's got a better perspective for everything in this country."
Joe Dougherty, business manager for Ironworkers Local 401, which hosted Biden's morning event, also said race is an issue for many Democrats.
"I hear it in the neighborhood, and I hear it in the union," Dougherty said. "But I remind them (Obama's) mother was white. He sees all sides, and he could be just what we need to bring this country together."
Biden talked to the crowd of about 200 senior citizens and union members about lower taxes, trade agreements that protect American jobs, and ending what he called the Republicans' "war on unions."
Later, Biden and Gov. Rendell worked the lunchtime crowd at The Dining Car, a neighborhood spot on Frankford Avenue.
Biden smiled, laughed, shook hands and sometimes hugged diners or slid into booths next to them. Sometimes he felt the love coming back, and sometimes he didn't.
Charles Daukas said he'd vote for the Obama-Biden team.
"Put it this way, if Hillary was running I would have really went hard for it," Daukas said. "But I'm a Democrat."
In a corner booth, Biden sat down and, after a moment's conversation, planted a kiss on the forehead of Carolyn Bauer, age 89. Bauer explained afterward it wasn't such a friendly encounter.
"I told him I'm not going to vote for him," Bauer said. "Anybody who runs with a guy with a name like that is not going to get my vote. It'd be disgusting to get a man named Barack Obama as president of the United States. No way. I mean it . . . I'm going to vote for McCain and the lady."
"[Obama's] a Muslim," Bauer added. "He pretends to be a Christian, and he isn't, he's a Muslim."
Obama has attended Christian churches for years, and his children are baptized.
After his stops in Northeast Philadelphia, Biden attended a rally in Langhorne. *
Biden knows about the Dunkin' Donut crowd I guess Obama is counting on Joe to get them.
Seriously, that is bad. It’s not right.
I’m not voting for the guy either. But it has nothing to do with his color or his name.
Thought you’d find this interesting.
But there are many more Democrats who will vote against Gov.Palin because of her sex.
Who smells it first dunnit.
Race and sex hustlers project big time.
For all its faults (and they're far too numerous to list here), I agree!
A Democrat gets a “mixed welcome” in Philadelphia? Obama bin Biden has to EARN the love of Democrats?
That's great. I'm sick of people being treated as if they come up with their beliefs out of some ignorant thin air. I'm going to call it what it is. In the cities it's common sense.
I’m not voting for the guy either. But it has nothing to do with his color or his name.
Call it. . . oh, I don't know. . . maybe FREEDOM. It's no more invalid than any other basis on which a voter makes his decision. People want their President to be someone they're comfortable with. This woman doesn't like his name and doesn't believe him when he says he's a Christian, so she feels he's untrustworthy, and what are you going to do about it?
I’m a relocated Philly girl... and yes, ya gotta love Philly!
Send those photos to Drudge.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
A few months ago, I couldn’t find a lot of people in PA who were looking forward to voting for Obama. It was all Hillary. But they are Democrats and now there is more support expressed for BHO.
Still, McCain should win easily.
Just not in Philadelphia.
The inherent racism in telling someone Obama is half whitek as a selling point needs more publicity.
McAleer paused and said: “It’s his color
I truely believe that it is the libs that are the bigots.
"...and don't forget to try the veal."
Pulled the wrong quote. I apologize.
Of course it’s not right. If a black conservative was running, like Michael Steele, I wouldn’t think twice..I’d vote for him in a second.
I hope you are right.....I am growing much more optimistic and yet I do not want to be complacent either.
There are alot if idiots in this country.
Our friend, a 90-year-old lady, swears that BO is the anti-christ, and she’s not afraid to say so. To everyone.
Of course they have the freedom.
But I’d rather win on beliefs than the color of one’s skin or what their mama called them.
Are you arguing with that?
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