Results tagged “joebiden”

Some details on that Midtown car accident that involved an advance car from Vice President Joe Biden's motorcade around 5:40 p.m. last night. According to the Daily News, "The squad car with two detectives scouting the route for the motorcade was headed west on 49th St. when it was T-boned by a cab going north on 10th Ave."

There were reports of a car accident at 49th Street and 10th Avenue and then we got word the vehicle was in the "Vice Presidential motorcade." A reader sent us this photo, adding, "Apparently a car from Biden's convoy hit a livery cab." D'oh!

With it being all but official that Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney will be taking on Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary for Senate next year, now comes the tough part for Maloney—finding a base of voters while getting little to no support from Democratic big wigs up top. The Times accounts just what a mountain she's up against: receiving an Obama/Steve Israel-like call from Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer scaring away a potential campaign manager and now watching Gillibrand take credit for her WTC workers bill. Maloney said, “Here she takes my bill and introduces it." Maloney's nascent campaign is trying to build some momentum off of the presence of Bill Clinton at an upcoming fundraiser of hers, but it seems that she can't even get any love there. A Clinton spokesperson made it clear the former president was strictly attending to thank Hillary '08 supporters like Maloney and added, "The former president believes that Senator Gillibrand is doing a good job as senator and this type of thank-you event, and any other he may do, should not be read as an endorsement or un-endorsement."

• Use a Queens manufacturer as an example: The NY Times reports that Crystal Window & Door System of Flushing benefited from the federal stimulus bill's "tax credit for homeowners who install energy-saving windows and doors. Last year, Crystal began improving the energy efficiency of its products, a shift that has been more effective than it could have hoped...A day after the president signed the bill, Crystal began getting calls for its products that met the standards to qualify for the tax credit." Which avoided layoffs and further reductions.
• Defend the pace of stimulus spending: Biden said, "There's been some criticism that we've not gotten enough money out so far. Well look, since I'm the guy who was put in charge of it, I want to make sure in the first 100 days we do it right...The one thing that could undermine this whole effort is if you'd read stories in the last 100 days about how this money is being wasted in the tens of billions of dollars." He did promise that spending on roads and bridges would speed up in the coming months.
• Have a bit of a gaffe: On Monday night, Biden referred to Governor Paterson as NY's "once and future" governor, which was taken as an endorsement. Biden later said, "It was a statement of friendship and admiration for the governor, and was not intended as a political statement."

Count Senator Charles Schumer amongst those who want the space shuttle Atlantis to retire at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Following NASA's announcement that they will send three space shuttles to institutions around the country, the Intrepid put their name in the hat. It's now being reported that "Schumer said Sunday he is supporting the Intrepid's bid for a space shuttle and he has appealed to Vice President Joe Biden to make it happen." If it all goes down, the shuttle would be housed in a glass enclosure at the end of Pier 86 around 2012.

St. Francis Prep, the private school in Queens where many students came down with the swine flu, will reopen on Monday. A group of students had gone to Mexico for spring break and, in turn, infected some of their classmates. NY1 reports that most of the students have recovered or are "close to it"—and the school says its air system has been purified.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg got a chance to tout his subway riding credentials during a press conference this morning. He was asked about Vice President Joe Biden's initial suggestion that people avoid time in confined spaces, like planes or subways, given the swine flu.

Our Amtrak-loving vice president was his usual chatty, off-the-cuff self when speaking on the Today Show. Politico reports, "Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would not recommend taking any commercial flight or riding in a subway car 'at this point' because swine flu virus can spread 'in confined places.' A little more than one hour later, Biden rushed out a statement backing off his stern warning a bit."

Representatives for Radar Online, the National Enquirer and the NY Post have seen a video of a woman who, per Radar, "clearly resembles Ashley Biden, 27"—daughter of Vice President Joe Biden—"snorting several lines of cocaine.On the tape a man cuts up five lines of what is said to be cocaine. The woman who the seller says is Ashley then jokes with the man that the lines aren’t big enough." The video was shown by a lawyer representing a man who wishes to sell the tape, allegedly shot last year; the Post says it was shown "about 90 seconds of 43-minute tape" and told "it was legally obtained and that Biden was aware she was being filmed" (the lawyer referred to how Biden acknowledges the filmmaker). However, Radar reports that Biden was filmed without her knowledge. The filmmaker had wanted $2 million for the tape, but then, based on much lower offers, is willing to sell the tape for $400,000. The NY tab points out that Biden's dad coined the term "Drug Czar" in his crusade against drugs but adds, "The Post refused to pay for the video."

Yesterday Kirsten Gillibrand was sworn in as New York's newest senator by Vice President Joe Biden. The youngest member of the legislative body, Gillibrand has already been appointed to the Committees on Agriculture; Environment and Public Works; and Foreign Relations; and the Special Committee on Aging. Gillibrand spent much of yesterday meeting and greeting her new colleagues and enjoying the ceremonies with family members who made the trip to Washington. The Times reports that Biden "greeted her nieces and nephews with high fives and 'hey, man' and 'hi, cuz.'"

It's a doggy redux: Vice President-elect Joe Biden, who upset PETA and the Humane Society for buying a purebred German Shepherd puppy from a breeder, tells ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that he's also going to get a dog from the pound. Biden explained he and his wife wanted to two dogs, so they'd be companions, "We're going to have more than one puppy...I've had German Shepherds since I was a kid and I've trained them and shown them in the past. So I wanted a German Shepherd and we're going to get a pound dog, which my wife wants, who is hopefully a Golden [Retriever]." Thrilled, PETA is sending the Bidens and their dogs some presents, like soy pig ears and "coupons that he can give the pup that are good for tummy rubs and long walks." Biden also told Stephanopoulos, "The economy is in much worse shape than we thought it was in. There is no short run other than keeping the economy from absolutely tanking." You can see the interview tomorrow morning on This Week.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden may have picked up a German shepherd puppy, partially sating the public's desire to know what kind of pets the incoming administration will have, but even a cute dog can be controversial. PETA is upset because the puppy apparently came from an animal breeder...and "If it weren't bad enough that Biden chose to buy from a breeder, we are now trying to confirm the accuracy of a report that was sent to us alleging that he bought his dog from a known puppy mill operator!" The Humane Society is also upset Biden bought a dog from a breeder "since he has been a leader on animal-protection issues and has championed a number of important animal-welfare reforms in the Senate," but Biden's spokesperson said, "He is an advocate for rescuing animals, as shown by his rescue of the Biden's current cat, Daisy, from a local shelter."

While President-elect Barack Obama raised nearly a billion dollars and still has $30 million left, his Secretary of State pick Hillary Clinton still has $7.5 million in campaign debt. According to the Daily News, Ugly Betty star America Ferrera is helping Clinton, whom Ferrera supported during the presidential campaign, by "hosting a 'conversation' in support of Hillary Clinton for President Debt Relief.'" Also expected at the conversation: Bill Clinton. Vice President-elect Joe Biden sent an email to Obama-Biden supporters, asking them to also help with Clinton's debt relief, "Our campaign pledged to help Sen. Hillary Clinton...retire her campaign debt... I saw your generosity and commitment to this team throughout the election, and I know we can do it. Will you make a contribution of $100 or more now to retire Hillary's campaign debt?” The money Clinton owes is mostly for vendors--and $3.5 million is for pollster Mark Penn!

With considerably less fanfare than when the Obamas met the Bushes earlier this week, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden met Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney at the vice presidential residence, the Naval Observatory. The AFP reports that during the 50-minute visit, "the couples held a private meeting and the Cheneys gave their guests a tour of the" Naval Observatory residence.

Barack Obama, John McCain, Sarah Palin and even Cindy McCain all appeared on Saturday Night Live during the campaign season...poor 'ol Joe Biden never got the invite though. Until now! Politico talked to the show's head writer, Seth Meyers, who told them: "Joe Biden is my biggest regret. I really wanted some quality Biden time. The door is still open, Joe." Meyers also added that on Tuesday night he "had an hour of goose bumps and then my natural cynicism kicked in. It’s not a great time to start being President." As for what happens to SNL now that the election is over (they got their highest ratings over the last month), there's good news and bad news -- Meyers says that viewers shouldn't expect any more Tina Fey cameos ("We all have to let her go back to her regular life now") but he pads the harsh reality by adding there will be "Lots and lots of MacGruber.”

A crowd-pleasing (or eye-rolling) line during President-elect Obama's victory speech was directed at his daughters, "Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House." But what kind of pup? Malia, 10, has allergies and reportedly likes the "goldendoodle"--a "hypoallergenic hybrid of a golden retriever and a standard poodle" (example). The American Kennel Club's poll finds that Americans want Obama to get a poodle. However, the Chicago Tribune learns that PETA head Ingrid Newkirk wrote a letter to Obama on the dog issue, "No one needs to tell you that this country is proud to be a melting pot and that there is something deeply wrong and elitist about wanting only a purebred dog. Millions of Great American Mutts -- the dog that should be our national dog -- are set to die in our nation's extremely overcrowded pounds and shelters for lack of good homes." And Malia and Sasha aren't the only ones promised a pet: Joe Biden now gets a dog, too! Update: The Caucus brings up a quote from September where the Obamas suggest they will adopt a rescue dog. Hoorah!

A VP candidate is supposed to help the presidential candidate but both VP-wannabes have stumbled recently. Yesterday, Joe Biden talked about Barack Obama's brilliance and how the world would definitely test him, "Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." Say it ain't so, Joe--and never say "gird your loins" again, either! Naturally, John McCain seized on that, but Sarah Palin said to fundraisers in Greensboro, NC last week, "We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America. Being here with all of you hard-working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation," which prompted the Obama campaign to ask, "What part of the country isn't pro-America?"

It's been a long time since one cast member on Saturday Night Live has grabbed almost all the attention focused on the show and Tina Fey technically isn't even a cast member right now. But for the third time in four weeks since the show returned, Fey was front and center in the opening sketch as the doppelganger she seems to refine and heighten a little every week, Sarah Palin.

      

The vice presidential candidates had their only debate in St. Louis tonight, and, if anything, Republicans are likely relieved that Sarah Palin acquitted herself smoothly while Democrats are likely relieved Joe Biden wasn't too aggressive. And overall, it was a very fast-moving and "energetic," as the NY Times' David Brooks said on PBS, debate. Presidential scholar Michael Beschloss didn't think it was very exciting, since there were no real zingers, a la Dan Quayle and Lloyd Bentsen's exchange in 1988, though Biden did call McCain's health care plan "the ultimate Bridge to Nowhere" and Palin did say, "Say it ain’t so, Joe."

On tonight's CBS Evening News, Katie Couric posed questions about Roe v. Wade to both vice presidential candidates, as well as a follow-up about any Supreme Court decisions they disagreed with. Joe Biden why he thought Roe v. Wade was a good decision, Sarah Palin why it was a bad one.

Everyone's favorite comedian, Sarah Palin, will be going head-to-head with Joe Biden tomorrow night for what's sure to be the most watched VP debate in history. There are some pre-debate choices to be made, however. You can choose to view it in the solitude of your own apartment, shivering in a dark corner hugging your knees, or you can surround yourself with others, under the influence of many drinks, at a bar near you. If you choose the latter, here are some options:

The Daily Show examined how the presidential and vice-presidential candidates sounded their solutions to our current economic problems, pitting the two sides against each other in a "Generic-Off." For other Daily Show videos from last night, including some observations about President Bush's and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's demeanor when talking about the crisis, go here.

NY State is considered to be a blue state, but a new poll from Siena College Research Institute finds that Barack Obama's lead over John McCain has fallen to just five points. Previously, Obama's lead was 18 points in June and 13 points in July.

In Day 2 of the Sarah Palin Interview on ABC, the Republican vice-presidential candidate touched on a number of topics--abortion, earmarks, and Hillary Clinton.

Former presidential candidate John Edwards dropped out of a politics event scheduled for Monday at Hofstra University; it would have been his first public appearance after admitting his affair. Hofstra is hosting the third and final presidential debate and has planned a series of other talks with politicians and notables in its Educate '08 program. Edwards's wife Elizabeth was scheduled to appear as well, but she canceled last week--Newsday reports, "At that time, John Edwards confirmed he would show up." But now Edwards has decided to lay low (at least until after the election), saying he doesn't want to be a distraction, "Nothing is more important than electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden."

With the first female on the Republican ticket, John McCain pulled off quite a feat by introducing Sarah Palin, first term Governor of Alaka, as his running mate. But with 66 days till the general election, the excitement of the choice will give way to many questions.

Yesterday, the 2008 Democratic ticket appeared together for the first time in Springfield, Illinois. When Barack Obama introduced Joe Biden, he emphasized the Senator from Delware's roots, “He is still that scrappy kid from Scranton who beat the odds — the dedicated family man and committed Catholic who knows every conductor on that Amtrak train to Wilmington.” And when Biden made it to the stage, Bruce Springsteen's The Rising played.

Gawker looks at much of the the stupid stuff said by Joe Biden, Senator from Delaware and allegedly on Demcratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's shortlist. But this classic moment (video above) of Biden breaking down our former mayor almost makes up for it!

Rudy Giuliani replaced his lead fundraiser. Anne Dunsmore joined the Giuliani campaign in May, and her credentials as the California finance director during President Bush's 2000 and 2004 elections prompted Giuliani to create a special position for her - deputy campaign manager for finance. Dunsmore was leading the drive to raise more than $100 million; she told the Washington Post's The Fix last May, "When you have $100 million situation hitting or missing by 10 percent is giant...it's a couple of states." Her replacement is another former Bush fundraiser, James H. Lee.