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The Cons: Biden Known for Gaffes

Senator has a risky tongue and lobbyist ties

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2008 8:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – Republicans strategists don't have to look too deep to find ammunition to use against Joe Biden, Politico reports. It's all a matter of public record. For starters, he called Obama's foreign policy views "naive" last year and said the presidency is not the place for "on-the-job training." He damaged his own run when he called Obama “the first mainstream African-American (candidate) who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”

Biden supported the Iraq war in 2002 and said the US had no choice but to "eliminate" Saddam, views opposed by Obama. He famously destroyed his 1988 candidacy by lifting  words from UK politician Neil Kinnock. As a longtime DC player, he's got heavy ties to lobbyists, whose ranks include one of his sons. And he's got a reputation for embarrassing gaffes, like this from 2006: “You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.”

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., has a long record of controversial statements.
Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., has a long record of controversial statements.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., talks with Barack Obama on Capitol Hill in Washington in this Tuesday, April 8, 2008, file photo.  He once suggested that Obama had too little experience to be president.
Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., talks with Barack Obama on Capitol Hill in Washington in this Tuesday, April 8, 2008, file photo. He once suggested that Obama had too little experience to be president.   (AP Photo)
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