Biden on Palin: “She’s good looking”
posted at 7:41 pm on August 31, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Nothing against our pal Tammy Bruce, who’s exercised by his comment, but (a) he’s clearly joking, (b) he himself is the butt of the joke, not Palin, and er, (c) he’s right.
Palin was once a contestant in the Miss Alaska contest, and no less an authority than Rush Limbaugh has called her a “babe,” though of course Gov. Palin is a governor and former mayor and mother and I’ll bet this is the last time Biden comments about her looks.
“From our perspective the whole deal is how does the government help you get back up without getting in the way?” Biden asked. “There’s a gigantic – gigantic — difference between John McCain and Barack Obama, and between me and I suspect my vice presidential opponent. And that is that – ”
The crowd laughed.
“Well there’s obvious differences,” Biden said, beginning to ham it up. “She’s good looking,” he said, laughing. “You know there’s obvious differences. But there’s a whole lot — ”
A woman shouted: “you’re gorgeous!” to Biden.
Not the wisest move to make the first contrast you draw with your woman opponent a physical one, but these endless rhetorical gotchas are wearisome. It sounds like he’s following Team Barry’s strategy of going easy on Palin off the bat, even to the point of paying her superficial compliments as a set-up to drawing substantive contrasts (which it appears he was about to do before the woman in the audience interrupted). Judging from this old photo, Palin herself seems to take this sort of thing with welcome good humor, which will further alienate the already alienated Hillaryistes and not matter much to anyone else. And needless to say, complimenting her looks isn’t incompatible with taking her seriously as a politician; if it was, a good 20 percent of the comments left on righty blogs since the pick was announced wouldn’t have been possible. Exit question: Much ado about nothing, yes?
Update: From commenter Big S, bear this in mind before you bash Biden: “Of course every comment or criticism of Palin will be deemed sexist now. Heather MacDonald was right.”
Update: Babe round-up!
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No comment.
stenwin77 on August 31, 2008 at 7:42 PM
there are standrds, and double standards….
if McCain had said of Hillary,”She’s a bit of doll.”
1) I’d get his eyes checked.
2) all hell’d break loose in the press.
sven10077 on August 31, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Hey, for once I agree with Joe Biden!
-heh-
Religious_Zealot on August 31, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Yeah, this will be the last inoffensive comment about her from O-B.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on August 31, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Looks like they might play the “she’s beautiful, therefore don’t take her seriously” meme?
I can’t wait to see the Sarah’Cuda chew him up in the debate.
carbon_footprint on August 31, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Of course every comment or criticism of Palin will be deemed sexist now. Heather MacDonald was right.
Big S on August 31, 2008 at 7:44 PM
God bless you Sarah Palin.
sven10077 on August 31, 2008 at 7:44 PM
I guess it’s better than him saying she is articulate and clean….
Static21 on August 31, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Yes. And if it were the other side, they’d chop the quote and turn it into an ad proving how sexist our guy was. We’re better than that.
BadgerHawk on August 31, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Here’s a picture of that woman.
carbon_footprint on August 31, 2008 at 7:46 PM
God bless Joe Biden. That man’s going to single-handedly put McCain/Palin in the White House.
Ronnie on August 31, 2008 at 7:46 PM
““From our perspective the whole deal is how does the government help you get back up without getting in the way?” Biden asked.”
Where have I heard this before? Seriously.
Connie on August 31, 2008 at 7:46 PM
don’t care.
cgoode777 on August 31, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Actually, really, really, REALLY hope that they see her just as some good looking bimbo who shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Please, let them think that and run with that!
-fingers crossed-
Religious_Zealot on August 31, 2008 at 7:48 PM
See:
carbon_footprint on August 31, 2008 at 7:48 PM
I’m on the fence. It depends if this becomes is a pattern of Biden’s referral to her.
Spirit of 1776 on August 31, 2008 at 7:49 PM
I have a bet with my friend he’ll call her “baby” at some point. He needs to start getting that steak dinner ready for me.
“The vi-la-ges… American’s friendliest home towwwwwwwn”
Chuck Schick on August 31, 2008 at 7:51 PM
I really hope that Biden underestimates her going into their debate, and the MSM runs with this theme too. The bar will be so low that if she outperforms Biden even marginally it could have some real impact.
BadgerHawk on August 31, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Biden sounds like a Republican. I thought we were the ones who worried about government getting in the way!
:-)
INC on August 31, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Ah, yes, and remember when Obama said “You’re likeable enough” to Hillary at a debate, and it was hard to tell if he meant it as a (lame) compliment or not?
Wethal on August 31, 2008 at 7:55 PM
I’d guess he’ll lean over and pat her on the arm at the debate.
Wethal on August 31, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Darn! Here I was all prepared to celebrate the first major gaffe of Sen. Biden, and the context makes it clear that he was really poking fun at himself. Not the smartest joke he could have made given how touchy the subject can be, but I’m not going to be offended by it. It wouldn’t surprise me if Gov. Palin laughed this off.
Jill1066 on August 31, 2008 at 7:56 PM
This is the same Biden who got in trouble for saying Obama was “clean and articulate”?
Wethal on August 31, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Biden’s right – she’s a cutie.
But he better not pull that “sweetie” crap ala Obama. I suspect she’s cut him or pull out her M-16. Whatevs.
mjk on August 31, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Biden is a lout .. count on more silliness to draw upon. Its genetic with that fool.
Benjamin9 on August 31, 2008 at 7:57 PM
I guess being clean and bright is universally understood.
Dusty on August 31, 2008 at 7:57 PM
After Palin nails his ass to a wall in the debate, Joey won’t be making any more ‘cute’ comments. He’ll be referring to Governor Palin as “that Republican bitch!” who knifed me with a smile on her face.
GarandFan on August 31, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Isn’t it too late for them to take it easy on her “off the bat”? They’ve already swung.
Jim Treacher on August 31, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Exactly!
She’s already a proven commodity with brains, guts and guile.
To dismiss her as a bimbo (or “just another pretty face”) will come back to haunt them when she bests Biden during the debate.
Then they’d have to explain why Joe got beat by a Bimbo!
The better tactic, of course, is to talk up her abilities and set the bar high so that when the inevitable stumble happens it will hurt even more.
Religious_Zealot on August 31, 2008 at 7:58 PM
How long until Obama calls her ’sweetie’?
Urban Infidel on August 31, 2008 at 8:00 PM
He went on to say she was very “clean” and also “articulate” for a woman.
Neo on August 31, 2008 at 8:00 PM
I just shuddered.
Lehosh on August 31, 2008 at 8:00 PM
…and her hair is all natural!
Star20 on August 31, 2008 at 8:01 PM
For starters,some of the Leftsphere bloggers,like KOS,
have a section on photoshopping,if my internet sleuthing
is accurate,so I’m sure they’ll make something much worse
than whats on Ace’s site!
The picture from ACE’s site,give me a break,Sarah Palin
is sitting on the bed,yet I know people like Alphie will
try and tell me the same picture,she’s pole dancing!
Biden is and always will be a “Indian restaraunt”comment
away from stupidity!
This sounds more like a Biden trying to “Bork” Sarah Palin’s
good name!
canopfor on August 31, 2008 at 8:02 PM
You know if you looked at hillary in her last appearance and then you look at the picture that Rush has on his web site, I want to know who her plastic surgeon is? She looks years younger.
I really don’t blame her, we are so wound up on looks, a la biden.
Bambi on August 31, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Pass the popcorn please
Anyone want a beer?
Old Hippie Vet on August 31, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Bizarroland 2008 Election, speech by Sarah Palin:
Damiano on August 31, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Heh. My wife was offended by that comment. Apparently the female filter is a bit more nuanced than the male, and now I’m just slightly in the doghouse.
I wonder if my wife will be the only woman to bristle at it? Another brick in the Biden wall. Someone get him some more mortar so he doesn’t have to slow down.
Immolate on August 31, 2008 at 8:04 PM
What Joe Biden would have said if the Obama camp hadn’t hit his gaffe prevention shock collar in time:
Damiano on August 31, 2008 at 8:07 PM
LOL @ that picture of Biden on the front page…perfect.
Purple Fury on August 31, 2008 at 8:09 PM
yeah it was a self-deprecating joke, all in good fun. He should have said “I mean, she’s smart”.
That would’ve been better.
hisfrogness on August 31, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Cheney made a joke in 2004 about being on the ticket because of his beautiful hair. This is pretty similar…but it might piss off some feminists.
funky chicken on August 31, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Oh ya,don’t forget,how Hopey and Changey,pure as the
wind driven snow,suggested to all,to not besmirch Michelle!
Wait,scratch that,Obama basically advised not to go after
OMama!
Wait,scratch that too,Barack warned and threaten not to go
there with Michelle,another words,”the One” has told the
media and pundits,”Michelle’s Off Limits”!
So,since the DNC are going to play dirty,win at all costs,
take back “THEIR POWER”,make the world right again in their
own mindset,the ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS,I suggest,that there
be,
OPEN MEDIA SEASON ON MICHELLE OMAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on August 31, 2008 at 8:14 PM
I’m going with Tammy on this one. She didn’t get nasty about it; she just called Biden out on his crassness.
Gotta say it, AP, I think we’re getting to a point where giving dorks like Biden the benefit of the doubt is counter-productive.
You can bet your “depressed” @$$ neither he nor the rest of the media will extend that courtesy to our side. And they will see signs of civility and accommodation as weakness, and intensify their attacks. If they can further intensify, that is.
MrScribbler on August 31, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Team Barry isn’t wanting to even comment on her if they can help it. They’re trying to ignore her, and hoping the media will do the bashing / thrashing, or other off-shoot Democrats like Boxer and Kerry.
They’ve learned from the Hillary fiasco that if they even try to bash her, it’ll hurt them.
Enoxo on August 31, 2008 at 8:19 PM
Biden is in kind of a pickle.
That was the only thing he could say.
If he told it like it really was he’d have to tell how much more accomplished she is than he.
Because at the end of the day he aint got nuttin’
She is ten times the man he is and a very elegant women at the same time.
TheSitRep on August 31, 2008 at 8:19 PM
It doesn’t matter. Why jump into the gutter just because the left does it? I like that our side tries to refrain from taking crap out of context for political advantage. I don’t want to paint with too broad a brush, because there are plenty of whackos on our side and some rational and civil members of the left, but in general it’s refreshing that the right leaning blogosphere avoids such nastiness.
BadgerHawk on August 31, 2008 at 8:19 PM
Heh, typical Joe Biden cocktail swagger.
BDU-33 on August 31, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Tammy’s a fraud. She routinely puts up pictures of female politicians she finds hot. She salivated over Valerie Plame.
SnarkVader on August 31, 2008 at 8:22 PM
Biden of all people, he of the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings, should know enough to avoid even joking references to a woman’s appearance since such remarks can so easily be taken out of context and be considered offensive. It wasn’t the right who made up these rules, was it? Wasn’t it the libs who taught us all that nothing is innocent, nothing is meant as a teasing aside, everything said or done is actionable? Anyway, he needs to be careful here, he’s awfully close to dirty old man territory as it is with that wolfish leering grin of his.
Bennett on August 31, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Lady Bruce must be able to feel a pea under 40 mattresses.
BlakeneyP on August 31, 2008 at 8:23 PM
she’s not a fraud given her proclivities I’d say that makes her genuine.
sven10077 on August 31, 2008 at 8:26 PM
SARAH’CUDA is a VPILF. The lady next to Biden? Not so much.
ManlyRash on August 31, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Remember when the media,like CNN,Wolf Blitzer,tried about 3
times to ask Dick Cheney about his daughters private life!
And yet Wolf kept asking,and the Vice President had to basically tell Wolf,do you feel lucky today punk,for Wolf
to stop!
Lets see,Chelsea,and Michelle are off limits,
but,
the Bush twins,Dick Cheney’s daughter,and Sarah Palin are
an open season by the Left MSM!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on August 31, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Guy was obviously making a joke. I’d rather not jump into the hypersensitivity waters with the Democrats.
Slublog on August 31, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Biden’s fishing for compliments. Sorry Charley, only the finest fish are chosen to be starkist tuna.
maverick muse on August 31, 2008 at 8:27 PM
If he’s not plagiarizing & letting someone else come up with good grammar, he’s lost.
There are obvious differences. She’s bright, & you’re not.
jgapinoy on August 31, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I’ll give him credit for just being Joe Biden. That’s all he could do, cut jokes. After all, he knows Gov. Palin is going to eat his lunch in the debate. He might just as well enjoy himself now before it all blows up in his face.
Zorro on August 31, 2008 at 8:27 PM
She’s cute. No point in pretending she isn’t.
Fair play to Joe Biden for shooting the elephant in the room.
Now that’s over we/he/she can just focus on the politics.
aengus on August 31, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Google – Joe “Sexist Pig” Biden
Karmi on August 31, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Well, since Obama/ Biden have not been trumped on the whole CHANGE theme, I’d like to recommend a new slogan to help them get reignite their theme of trying to be unique. It’s a daunting task, considering it’s been a by-the-book, old, ChiTown campaign that has been bolstered by the same platform and speeches that Democrats have made for decades. The marketing has been a complete rehash of 1992 Clinton (he was the original rock-the-vote guy that was too young and inexperienced for office, unless you count Kennedy). You’ve also got the problem that Biden’s been dancing the dance for over 30 years.
Well, here it goes. I hope this helps you guys highlight the unique point of your campaign:
Damiano on August 31, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Well, you have to admit Cindy looks a lot like Cinderella and Sarah looks a lot like Belle(Beauty and the Beast). So I guess Joe Biden is a bit like Gaston.
I really think it bothers the other side that we have the best looking ticket.
And, heh, Putin had to go out and kill a Tiger and have the picture put in the paper(Drudge)
This is the funny part.
mary jo on August 31, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Forget Biden, and recall another line that bit the speaker in the butt.
Remember Ann Richards’ famous line:
“Poor George. He can’t help it.
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”
maverick muse on August 31, 2008 at 8:34 PM
SweetieGovernor Palin, I knowCanklesHillary Clinton,CanklesHillary Clinton is a friend of mine, andSweetieGovernor Palin, you are noCanklesHillary Clinton.MB4 on August 31, 2008 at 8:35 PM
That’s my point. Biden said Sarah’s good looking and she is. Given his proclivities, that makes him genuine.
I think Tammy’s having flashbacks to her days running NOW.
SnarkVader on August 31, 2008 at 8:35 PM
And it’s not like biden and obama know a darn thing about firearms
Can Cindy shoot?
mary jo on August 31, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Obama pulled the same “good lookin’” sexist crap on Michigan Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm.
Can be found here:
http://stopsmearingsarah.blogspot.com/2008/08/shes-good-looking-x2.html
They apply a double standard — or, hell SAME standard — to Sarah Palin.
lansing quaker on August 31, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Sarah Palin is a babe! One can see men waiting at the polls in November panting like thirsty Labradors! She will tell them to jump, and they will ask “How high?”
newton on August 31, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Biden looks exactly like my uncle, yet my uncle does not wear plugs, does not plagiarize, nor say stupid things.
However, I do see he is treating Palin with kid gloves. He knows what’s at stake.
Have you seen “60 Minutes?” Obama keeps interrupting Biden to avoid gaffes! It was annoying and laughable.
jencab on August 31, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Weird. The rally was on the roof of a library?
Slublog on August 31, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Houston, we may have a problem.
Because Janet Reno is her father.
- John McCain (when asked, “”Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?”)
You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940s who is still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn’t have the face for it.
- John McCain
Did you hear the one about the woman who is attacked on the street by a gorilla, beaten senseless, raped repeatedly and left to die? When she finally regains consciousness and tries to speak, her doctor leans over to hear her sigh contently and to feebly ask, ‘Where is that marvelous ape?’”
- John McCain
MB4 on August 31, 2008 at 8:48 PM
MB4 –
Begone trollbot.
lansing quaker on August 31, 2008 at 8:50 PM
True, true. SARAH’CUDA is a cheerful, contented MILF with a stud husband who wears skirts. Hillary is a bitter, frustrated, unattractive feminist who wears pantsuits – badly colored pantsuits. Good call, MB.
ManlyRash on August 31, 2008 at 8:51 PM
I would bet money that the Obama camp makes Biden wear a shock collar while in public while their communications director holds the remote that activates it.
Damiano on August 31, 2008 at 8:51 PM
“I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinski…” – Bill “Hello there, my little humidor” Clinton
Putz.
ManlyRash on August 31, 2008 at 8:52 PM
The man is just kidding around. No big deal.
Terrye on August 31, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Another clear demonstration of the negative correlation between maturity and the use of that word.
MB4 on August 31, 2008 at 8:53 PM
MB4’s not a troll. Let’s save that word for those who deserve it.
I would love to know how on earth he comes up with all the quotes, though. Guy’s either got an amazing memory, or some impressive Google skills.
Slublog on August 31, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Someone here earlier this week whacked me because I wanted retribution for some insult from team Obama (which insult I can’t recall right now). The Donks are just like the Marxist and Jihadists. In fact the Donks are sometimes Marxist and Jihadists, but I digress. Historically Marxists and Jihadists have seen the failure to respond to attacks as simple fear and cowardice and just revs them up even more. I don’t care if someone thinks I am “civil” or not. Am I going to win anyone’s heart and mind because I stand still and let the Obamites whack on me ?
This is a very critical election and the Obamites will not be taking any prisoners when it is over, assuming they win. They need to be kept off balance wondering what the hell is coming at them next.
JonRoss on August 31, 2008 at 9:01 PM
I can’t help but wonder if the latest open registration brought in an inordinate number of pre-adults.
MB4 on August 31, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Biden was just making a joke, and it was a good one. No one benefits when we all suffer from Offendeditis and thin skin
Gatordoug on August 31, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Nobody messes with the MB4.
TheSitRep on August 31, 2008 at 9:09 PM
REEEEALLY?
So – Biden didn’t offer to “compare IQs” with her?!!
grtflmark on August 31, 2008 at 9:11 PM
He tried to make a self-deprecating joke, kinda failed miserably.
Get over yourselves with the outrage and the sexist non-story.
Next.
Dave Rywall on August 31, 2008 at 9:12 PM
It didn’t. Although I suppose one could fault Allah for being less than expedient in clearing the garden of long standing weeds.
ManlyRash on August 31, 2008 at 9:12 PM
McCain honors women….Obama demeans women.
jay12 on August 31, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Rather like most of your posts…eh, gypsum board?
ManlyRash on August 31, 2008 at 9:14 PM
AP is much too eclectic to do that.
MB4 on August 31, 2008 at 9:16 PM
spoken like a true sexist pig.
bloggless on August 31, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Notice how over time every time anyone has tried to criticize Obama, the media, or his camp cried “racism”. The “inexperience” mantra and “she’s an attractive woman” shouldn’t provide “misogyny” from the McCain/Palin camp, and definitely not from us.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is the difference between the two camps, or should be the difference anyway.
A woman can be intelligent, witty, and attractive. Where are the days when guys could voice an opinion about is? Feminism has destroyed many a good thing, this being one of them.
She should wear that Biden picture, up front, for Halloween. It’s a perfect Pinocchio. I adore that picture and wish I’d know its origin.
Entelechy on August 31, 2008 at 9:18 PM
The condescending has begun. The delightful thing about this is that Biden does not and will not realize when he is shoving his leg down his throat.
fossten on August 31, 2008 at 9:19 PM
How hilarious would it be if she put on a pantsuit and gave a special speech to appeal to Hillary supporters? Seriously. I don’t think it would be that big of a deal, Hillary herself has gotten in on the pantsuit jokes in recent years. Palin could even cackle in to the mic.
RightWinged on August 31, 2008 at 9:19 PM
A face only a mother could love.
lobstress on August 31, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Buy lottery tickets – we agree.
Entelechy on August 31, 2008 at 9:20 PM
The “failure” is evidenced by people taking offense to it. If everyone sat with our mouths shut and heads up our butts then his “joke” would be chuckled at by the smart set and the next joke would be a little more vicious. It wasn’t a joke, it was a smarmy sexist insult. Biden needs a good swift kick in the gonads for that type of behavior, not a finger shook at him.
JonRoss on August 31, 2008 at 9:24 PM
LOL. Or drunk…this is a rough patch for him.
ManlyRash on August 31, 2008 at 9:24 PM
This is SO true! And Biden was a chief protagonist in those Thomas hearings. I guess payback really IS a bitch.
JonPrichard on August 31, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Rather like most of your posts…eh, gypsum board?
ManlyRash on August 31, 2008 at 9:14 PM
———-
Wow. Someone turn off the internet. There’ll never ever be another incredible post like this.
Dave Rywall on August 31, 2008 at 9:26 PM
You know what my first reaction to seeing a photo of Palin was?
“Wow, her husband is HOT.”
(Yes, the picture was of both of them.)
Meryl Yourish on August 31, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Sink me, the Lady is a philosopher.
But carries a sword.
BlakeneyP on August 31, 2008 at 9:26 PM
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