In Florida, Biden Pushes Early Voting, Secure Israel
(JUPITER, FLA.) - "Folks, we're out of spring training. Spring training's over," said Joe Biden from his podium in far left-field, referring to the final week before Election Day. Around 2,000 supporters showed up to welcome him and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., at an outdoor rally at Roger Dean Stadium, the spot where the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals practice during the offseason.
Urging voters to go out early, Biden told supporters they could come to the stage after he spoke and sign up to make phone calls and help organize turnouts this weekend.
Addressing Florida's large retiree population, Biden said, "Can you imagine if, in fact, Social Security had been in the stock market? Can you imagine now the last couple months if Bush and McCain had succeeded in privatizing Social Security?"
"Well folks, here's what Barack and I believe. We believe there should be no privatization of Social Security. No raising of the retirement age. And we believe, we believe there should be no income taxes for seniors for who have an income of less than $50,000 a year. Zero, zero income tax. In fact, in fact, we believe and we'll propose that they shouldn't even have to file a tax return, literally," said Biden.
Biden added a line about Israel to his stump speech in Florida, known in many parts for its large number of Jewish voters.
"You know, I've worked – in terms of our foreign policy – I've worked with every, literally, every prime minister. I got elected when I was 29 years old to the Senate…and I've worked with every prime minister of Israel from Golda Meir right through to the present prime minister," said Biden.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I want to tell you something. That's why Barack and I know, we know what the Israelis know and all our friends know. That is the greater the respect for America, the stronger America is in the world, the more secure Israel and the rest of our friends are in the world."
Still, Biden could not resist poking fun at his ticket's rivals.
"Folks, I love it when I watch on television, on the bus or when I get back to the hotel late at night, I turn on and there's John McCain and Sarah Palin. They're up there saying…"
Biden stopped to calm the crowd down, who began booing and shouting.
"No, no, no, no, no. They're good folk. But I -- but here's the part I love. 'Hey maverick! I'm a maverick, you're a maverick, we're the maverick team, right?' You know? Bret and Bart Maverick. I mean, they're the mavericks, right?"
"Well folks, it's George W. Bush and the sidekicks. That's what we're talking about. They're not mavericks."