Biden Focuses on Debate Prep, Mishears Question on Rejection of Bailout Bill
(WILMINGTON, DEL.) - Joe Biden and top Obama advisers spent today prepping for this week's vice presidential debate with Sarah Palin, which campaign members saying will be "challenging" for Biden, a 36-year Senate veteran.
Aided by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich., who stood in for Palin during practice runs today, Biden spent seven hours on the second floor of the Sheraton Suites hotel in Wilmington before taking a break for dinner at 6:30pm.
The Obama-Biden campaign continues trying to raise expectations for Palin, saying they expect her to be a "skilled debater" and to be a challenger contender when she meets with Biden in St. Louis.
Meantime, the Dow saw its largest single-day point drop of today - 777 points - as Congress failed to muster up the votes needed to pass the financial bailout bill.
Obama's campaign released a joint statement on behalf of Obama and Biden, saying "This is a moment of national crisis, and today's inaction in Congress as well as the angry and hyper-partisan statement released by the McCain campaign are exactly why the American people are disgusted with Washington. Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to join together and act in a way that prevents an economic catastrophe."
As he exited the hotel for his dinner break, Biden was asked "Senator, can we get your reaction to the House bill not passing?"
Biden interrupted the question with a "Hey folks," to reporters and then said "Oh, things are going well."
Biden's press secretary, David Wade, sent an e-mail minutes later, saying "the senator thought you asked how prep was going" for this week's debate with Gov. Sarah Palin.
Prior to Biden's departure, the press was moved further away from the hotel's exit, perhaps far enough away that it prevented Biden from clearly hearing the question.