Biden to firefighters: Romney doesn't get you

PHILADELPHIA - Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday gave an audience of firefighters his view of GOP rival Mitt Romney: "I don't think he gets you."

Biden offered the assessment in the context of the White House's support of allowing the Bush tax cuts expire for the wealthiest Americans while pushing the "Buffett rule" calling for those in that income bracket to pay a higher percentage of their earnings in taxes.

"Wealthy people are just as patriotic as poor folks. They're just as decent as any middle-class folk I know. The difference here is, no one asked them to do anything," Biden told the 3,200 workers gathered for International Association of Fire Fighters convention. "This is about shared responsibility."

In the next breath, Biden added that Republicans push for "top-down" policies because "they have to make room for more benefits and more opportunities for the very wealthy."

(Biden jokes in remarks that he had to ask his wife to marry him five times.)

Biden characterized Romney as "a good family man, a guy who means well," echoing the approach that the former Massachusetts governor often takes before describing President Obama as clueless on the economy.

"Part of the problem is," Biden said. "I don't think he just gets you, I don't think he really understands. I mean this sincerely--I don't think he understands what you're all about, what makes you tick, what makes you decide to go into this profession that you couldn't pay enough to 90 percent of the population, including me, to do what you do every day."

Biden thanked the firefighters for their service, especially in the wake of last week's deadly theater shooting in Aurora, Colo. "The American public is reminded once in a while nationally just what you do," Biden said.

The former Delaware senator also got personal when talking about what first responders mean to him and the country. He cited a 1972 car accident in which his wife and infant daughter were killed and his two sons were critically injured.

"Who shows up, like you did for my family, with the jaws of life?" Biden asked.

[hillzhaveays]

"...what makes you decide to go into this profession that you couldn't pay enough to 90 percent of the population, including me, to do what you do every day."

Maybe he should have another drink, this sentence doesn't make much sense.

[dj_chi]

Uh... yeah it does. Course I did well in all my English classes.

[RollotheNorman]

I concur with dj_chi, and it frames Willard perfectly: It's all about the money, nothing else is worth considering.

[ObamaBlackRobinHood]

Biden, you're an idiot with the IQ of a speedbump. The only people that get you are the uneducated Liberals and even though it's hard to believe, they're dumber than you.

[RollotheNorman]

I'm sure you got this straight from Rush. Ditto?

[JUSTTHEFACTS1969]

ALOHA it seems you have NO CLUE how Government works how can President Obama & VP Binden do anything IF congress is fighting them all the way ? IF you want to see a TRUE IDIOT / MORON U need to look in the mirror, I'm currently living in hawaii however I use to live in Mass . when Mitt " THE CHICKEN HAWK Romney was Governor , he cut veterans benefits he raised taxes & fees on the middle class while cutting taxes for the RICH , you do NOT have to believe me GOOGLE Staff SGT. Ray Helpler he has written several stories about Mitt THE CHICKEN HAWK Romney , ti will also explain why I call him a CHICKEN HAWK ..................NOTE CHICKEN HAWKS seems to be in his DNA because all his 5 sons are CHICKEN HAWKS TOO.............................READ AND LEARN

JUST THE FACTS

[retmw2]

BR50

And where was romney during the Viet Nam war, hiding out in France with a deferment. Seems romney would love to send troops to Syria and attack Iran.

[Spanawaygal]

Biden to his nearly bankrupt birthplace of Scranton, PA: Who the H*ll are you??

[retmw2]

Scranton is nearly bankrupted because of people like romney.

[abby_del_abbey]

How can someone expect to be elected to public office when he has no respect for the public servants who risk their lives for their communities... Oh, I forgot, they're not part of the 1% -- the only folks Romney really respects....

[franklyspeaking61]

For an administration that made a major deal out of saying it would unite and not divide the country, this administration sure does a lot of division. Hypocrites !

[RollotheNorman]

Ummm, nobody can lead those who refuse to be lead. Do you honestly believe Obama has some kind of Mandrake the Magician ability to make Boehner and McConnell see things his way??? LOL, if you say yes, I got some beach front property near Nebraska I can let go cheap.

[BluePress]

Budweiser Biden, liar, liar pants on fire.
We hope the firefighters get to you soon before you go Poof!

[RealiteBites]

I've come to intensely dislike Biden with his 'working class people are so superior' thing.

It's really starting to push me more towards Republicans.

[BluePress]

Try the Independents, you'll like it!

[retmw2]

Seems the majority of the right hate working class people, especially government and bluecollar workers.

[Robby33383]

Don't worry Joey, most Americans don't get you Big Guy!!! Maybe you should invite the Firemen to your Mega Mansion in Delaware, have your servants serve them a little lunch and we can then ask the Firefighters if they get you.