Biden Begs: No Swimming Pools!

By: Mark Knoller
Topics: Economy

(AP)

Looking to strike fear and compliance in the hearts of local officials, Vice President Joe Biden warns that if they use money from the economic stimulus fund to build what he regards as the wrong kind of projects, "I'll show up in your city and say this was a stupid idea."

"No swimming pools!" he implored. "No tennis courts!" he begged. "No golf courses!" he pleaded. "No Frisbee parks!" he exhorted.

"This can't be government as usual," he told an assemblage of local officials invited to the White House from around the country.

Even if they can promise him that building their projects will create jobs and generate revenue, Biden wants none of it.

"The answer is no, no, no!" He said "it's got to pass the smell test."

He urged the officials to think about how their constituents would react if the projects they launched were plastered on the front page of their biggest local newspaper.

"If it doesn't automatically make sense, don't do it!"

Once the officials get funding for infrastructure, Biden said, they can do what they like with it. But he served notice that if they launch the kind of projects he deems inappropriate, he won't be shy about saying what he thinks.

"I'll show up in your city and say this was a stupid idea," he promised. "You think I'm kidding? This is the only part the president was right about: don't mess with Joe!"

A couple weeks ago, President Obama designated Biden as overseer and guardian of the stimulus bill funds.

"As part of his duty, Joe will keep an eye on how precious tax dollars are being spent. To you, he's Mr. Vice President, but around the White House, we call him the Sheriff -- because if you're misusing taxpayer money, you'll have to answer to him."

His badge wasn't showing, but Sheriff Biden intended to sound tough as Clint Eastwood.

"We're not fooling around," he told them.

And it's not just their image that's on the line. "Make me look good, will ya," he joked, we think. "This is all about me."

(CBS)

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

Mark Knoller
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.
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by JOELTPATTERSON July 10, 2009 1:51 PM EDT: In Philadelphia, they are shutting down public pools and at least one private club pool has become "Whites Only"

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20090709_Montco_swim_club_accused_of_racial_discrimination.html

Biden is wrong: Public pools are for everyone, and a good investment in keeping kids healthy. Every kid should learn to swim.; Reply to this comment


by nolies74621 March 19, 2009 9:19 AM EDT: notmytime1 - We "dare" to comment because that is our right. I guess free speech is only allowed when it praises your candidate and condemns your opponent.

Face it bub. Biden is the foil, the jester, the clown in the Obama circus. His job is to distract people while Obama sets up the next act. To bad he was late with this routine we all caught Obama in his AIG bonus deceit. What did Obama know and when did he know it? Well it sounds more and more like Obama hoped nobody would notice but in this case even his Democratic minions found it all too much to take.

As far as stimulus money rules.... Gosh I guess they are going to be tough to comply with if AIG is any example. (wink wink nod)
Posted by Scooter68 at 9:18 PM : Mar 18, 2009

Nice thread very nice!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by nolies74621 March 19, 2009 9:18 AM EDT: Maybe they will spend it on soup kitchens in Chicago. The POTUS did a good job of organizing those, unlike the country.; Reply to this comment


by DE58 March 19, 2009 2:14 AM EDT: notmytime1: You are right about some who post here. You know like the ones who do not realize NAZIs were fascists....they take over businesses for their own causes. Not exactly a capitalist like Bush but it does sound recently familiar. Can anyone help me with a name here....oh yea... I think it starts with an O...; Reply to this comment


by lusiphur42 March 19, 2009 1:58 AM EDT: How about alot of comoonity centers in the inner city, Joe? Or maybe some new inner city middle schools to waste resource on kids with an 80% chance of dropping out, taught by teacher's UNION hacks? I'll bet Joe would also approve of public works projects that involve alot of UNION labor! Joe remembers where his bread is buttered. "aziridine"

So.... who would u have build these projects. U? I've noticed over time , people who bit*h about unions as u are. Are the same guys who CAN'T pass the math test or the Drug test to join said unions.; Reply to this comment


by notmytime1 March 18, 2009 11:56 PM EDT: There are some real IDIOTS who post on these stories. How dare any of you condemn anything Obama or Biden has done or will attempt to do when your BELOVED George W. Bush single-handedly RUINED this friggin' country. There are people out there who would moan and groan about anything. You all need to get a grip and find something real to gripe about and learn to blame the right person for the state this country is in which is that Nazi, George W. Bush. It's sad that I am on the same planet as people that have this kind of mentality.; Reply to this comment


by hollybb2 March 18, 2009 9:17 PM EDT: I think Joe Blow should be a stand up comedian! What a moron. Boy the smug thug from Chicago sure knows how to pick "em.; Reply to this comment


by wardoglrs March 18, 2009 7:31 PM EDT: This coming from the guy who voted for the bail out's for the bankers I cant understand why anyone would or could believe this non since of Obama and his Mafia team of economic terrorist's; Reply to this comment


by wdh3007 March 18, 2009 7:24 PM EDT: Hey Biden you should have thought about that one before the 787 billion dollar spendulas was passed not afterwards? Maybe the IRS can compensate the tax payers using the the same method they compensated some of Madoff's investors but I wouldn't hold my breath.; Reply to this comment


by aziridine March 18, 2009 7:04 PM EDT: How about alot of comoonity centers in the inner city, Joe? Or maybe some new inner city middle schools to waste resource on kids with an 80% chance of dropping out, taught by teacher's UNION hacks? I'll bet Joe would also approve of public works projects that involve alot of UNION labor! Joe remembers where his bread is buttered.

Don't forget a lot of pro-abortion counseling programs too! Isn;t it great the Joe assumes that he knows what best better than the local people do. Maybe Joe could DICTATE what need's to be done, he'd be a good dictator!; Reply to this comment