Biden On Debates, Duty, and His Hair

From CBS News' Ryan Corsaro:

(DOVER, DEL.) - Joe Biden loves a crowd of Democrats as much as a crowd of Democrats loves him, and he had no trouble flexing his wit and his political weight tonight in Delaware.

Biden had a suggestion for his fellow Democrats when they watch the final debate between Barack Obama and John McCain – kill the volume.

“For this debate, for part of this next debate, do what I did for part of the last two debates. Literally, turn the sound off. I’m not being…I’m not joking now. Literally, turn the sound off. And just watch. Watch the body language of both men. You can sense it folks. You know it, when there’s a command [sic] presence. You know it when someone has the confidence and the certitude about himself and what he believes in.”

Biden made the remarks to fellow Delaware Democrats at a Jefferson Jackson dinner tonight, where he received the Alexis I. DuPont Bayard award for distinguished service to his party.

He thanked the crowd for their role in his successes over the past year, saying “You are my support and you are my sustenance and that is not an exaggeration. Beau, Jill, Hunter, Ashley and I, we love you for everything you’ve done for our family because honest to God you’ve made a difference in my life, thank you.”

Energized by his supporters, many of them being loyal, lifelong Biden voters, who dined on chicken and chocolate mousse (with his picture on it), Biden used the stage time to criticize his opponents in a more humorous tone.

“It appears that all Sarah Palin and John McCain want to do is attack us. We want to attack problems. They want to attack us. In my debate with Gov. Palin – at least I think it was a debate - I saw it on ‘Saturday Night Live’,” said Biden, to laughter and applause.

“Damn, I wish I had his hair,” said Biden, referring to the comedian who impersonated Biden, Jason Sudeikis.

“She brought up the length of my service. She said in the middle of that debate as she was winking at y’all, she said she’d been listening to my speeches since she was in second grade. Well, I guess, just like she can see Russia from Alaska, she can see Delaware from Alaska. She’s got great eyesight. I was inclined to tell her in that debate, but I was trying to be a good boy, I know you were all surprised I was, weren’t you? You were all surprised. You were, weren’t you?” joked the senator.

Biden, who is also up for re-election this year along with being the vice presidential nominee, reminded Delaware voters that he’s still running to keep his Senate seat.

“Just remember, folks, I am on the ballot. Don't be carried away with this vice president stuff. I am on the ballot running for my seventh term…so don't forget, don't stop at the top of that ticket, walk your way down. You can vote twice for the first time in your life for the same guy and it’d be legal.”

He promised, as Barack Obama did today, that the two would work together in the next session of the Senate before inaugural day to aide immediately in the economic crisis facing the United States. He vowed to pass a three month moratorium on home foreclosures and a three thousand dollar tax credit for small businesses during these uncertain financial times.

Sensing there might still be apprehension by some about voting for Barack Obama, Biden sought to assure voters, saying “For those of you who wonder about Barack Obama, don't wonder. Don't wonder. I guarantee you, he feels as passionately about this as I do.”

“He has the same measure, the same respect. Look folks, this is a guy who is the American dream. Raised by a white grandmom and grandpop from Kansas. A grandfather who fought in Patton's army. A grandmother who was the equivalent of Rosie the Riveter, building aircraft. A single mother.”

“Look folks, I'm getting tired of this stuff about Barack Obama, but I guarantee you, I know the guy and I know his family. A let me tell you something, this guy knows how much he owes this great country. And he knows it couldn't have happened anywhere else but the United States of America. So I don't want to hear about how different he is. I don't want to hear it.”

“He's like me. He's like me!” shouted Biden forcefully. “And all of you!”