Biden revives 'Etch-A-Sketch' remark in blasting Romney

Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign stop at the Spiller Elementary School in Wytheville, Va., Tuesday, August 14, 2012.

/ AP Photo /Don Petersen

(CBS News) BLACKSBURG, Va. --Despite being subjected to withering Republican rebukes about his attacks on Mitt Romney, Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday kept up his criticism of the presumed GOP nominee -- though in subtler fashion.

Campaigning in Blacksburg, an emotional Biden invoked Romney aide Eric Fehrnstrom's now-infamous "Etch-A-Sketch" remark referring to being able to restart what is said in the general-election campaign after the primaries. Democrats and even Republicans who ran against Romney called the comment an example of their rival's political malleability.

"This is not a mystery anymore," Biden said of the choice voters face in the fall. "This is not a mystery, and the ability to take out that Etch-A-Sketch pad that Governor Romney's advisers said -- the Etch-a-sketch is gone. This is sort of written pretty clearly; it is almost-- not in stone -- it is clearly defined and it gives us an ability of the American people to have an absolute unfettered clear view."

Biden's remark came a day after he told a diverse crowd that included many African-Americans that Romney would "put you all back in chains" by unshackling Wall Street. Republicans reacted with outrage, calling it needlessly divisive, but Biden stood by his statement.

(Watch Biden's remark in the video to the left.)

After Wednesday's speech, Republicans opted to pounce on a different Biden statement.

"Folks, where's it written we cannot lead the world in the 20th century in making automobiles?" the vice president said. That prompted Romney spokesman Ryan Williams to say in a statement: "Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will ensure America leads the world in the 21st century by strengthening middle-class families and creating jobs."

Biden also continued attacking his rivals' plans for Medicare, includingcreating a voucher system.

"They get a voucher to go out and buy private insurance coverage," he said of senior citizens. "And you know how confusing it is to begin with, and I'm not being facetious. They get a voucher and because the voucher would not keep up with rising health costs. Seniors would be forced to pay based on studies an extra $6,400 a year under the Ryan Romney plan-- under the Romney-Ryan whatever it is now."

Biden's basic critique of the Romney-Ryan proposal is fair, but the $6,400 number is misleading. That number comes from a Congressional Budget Office analysis of Ryan's 2011 budget proposal, which was modified significantly in the last year to come more in line with Romney's own ideas.

Both men now support a system where seniors would be able to use vouchers to buy private products or the government-run program. Ryan also boasted the rate at which the value of those vouchers would grow over time.

[dj_chi]

by CaptainSmollett August 15, 2012 7:16 PM EDT

So tell me what you have done to deserve my vote, Mr. President?
TELL ME!!



We've already established that you're too far up the backside of the GOP to consider anyone not of the chosen party. Romney could openly advocate child labor as a requirement for public schooling and you'd still vote for him. Heck, you;d vote for a wet ham sandwich over Obama.

[Maerzie]

"dj_chi" ~~ Nobody has to researc too hard to find about 9 PAGES of Obama's "Promises Kept":

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-kept/

'Course, it DOES mean you even WANT the truth! You sound more like you have chosen to just "BELIEVE" the lies and propaganda disseminated for gullible people.

[Maerzie]

s/b ="research"

[Ben37221]

Ryan and Romney want to give vouchers to senior citizens, while he keeps his government healthcare. These people have no heart.
They are too happy to pick on the poor and the middle class while, they do the bidding for the rich.
Now we know that Romney did not pay tax for ten years. Now he is proposing to increase the middle class and the poor's taxes. While lowering his own tax. And Romney want's America to vote for him? A vote for Romney is a vote against the middle class.

[CaptainSmollett]

Only really ignorant people would fail to see through Obama's campaign strategy: He's trying to distract voters from his miserable economic record with a slanderous campaign to discredit his opponent. Anything to distract us from the facts:
1) Poverty is up;
2) Unemployment is unacceptably high and not improving;
3) Record numbers on welfare;
4) Trillion-dollar deficits;
5) Our children's future has been mortgaged under a mountain of debt;
6) The Fed's economic outlook is "darkening";
....and your plans are for more of the same failed agenda.
You promised 'hope', but delivered hopelessness.

So tell me what you have done to deserve my vote, Mr. President?
TELL ME!!

[Eco99]

Only really ignorant people would make such statements as yours. Mitt's plan (that is if you can pin him down to any one of many) is to continue the policies of the Bush administration and antagonize foreign countries, all of which is what put us where we are to beging with. Anyone who doesn't see that ... well they are blind.

[retmw1]

Why should you vote for romney since he doesn't even have a plan except to follow ryans. Of course if you are in the 1% that's the perfect reason to vote for them.

[TimeToEvolve]

Robmee-Ryan: Chains we can believe in.

[Maerzie]

Clever! VERY fitting!

[SD92040]

Joe Biden is a good example of the Obama Administration. Nasty, stupid, corrupt a$$holes. This scum will be washed away in November.

[TimeToEvolve]

Miss the last Republicon disaster, the Bush Cheney Crime Family huh? You one of those self hating Americans?

[sjc_1]

Somehow the Republican "residue" is never fully washed away. Four years later we are still suffering for all the damage that Bush did.

[RealiteBites]

Biden's the 'Sarah Palin' of the 2012 election.

Barack should switch him out with Hillary - I think he'd win easily then.

Also, I like her more.

[greenlantern1]

Remember when Biden was called a coward?
Ever read the book DERELICTION OF DUTY?
It was a real hatchet job against President Clinton.
On the other hand, he described how he bravely flew missions in Bosnia.
In one of them, with his eyes big as saucers, was then Sen. Joseph Biden!
Cowardly?

[greenlantern1]

During the American Revolution General Howe, and his Tories, occupied Wall Street.
General Washington, and his ragtag party of Patriots, countered with Beaumarchais.
Benjamin Franklin was an ambassador to France.
John Paul Jones captained the BONHOMME RICHARDS.
Who won?

[TimeToEvolve]

I love it Governor Etch A Sketch or how about Governor Mittwit Flip-Flop. The slime will say anything to get elected. Or in the case of America, appointed by Wall Street.

And now he has Congressman a Fertilized Egg is a Human.

[sjc_1]

I understood what he said, too bad you guys have a comprehension problem...maybe that is your problem in general throughout life.

[2happy2ride]

Obama had better worry more about his own VP pick. Here's the latest speech in VA, "Folks, where's it written we cannot lead the world in the 20th century in making automobiles?" said Biden.
Somebody wake him up...it's the 21st century Joe!!!!
Poor Joe, EVERY time his mouth opens, something stupid comes out. IS THIS MAN CAPABLE OF BEING PRESIDENT???? This guy is really scary!!
Biden = ZERO credibility, 100% LIABILITY.

[greenlantern1]

You liked Spiro Agnew?