Recently, Bill O'Reilly made some reckless comments about our campaign and why Joe Biden won't be attending the YearlyKos convention in Chicago.
"What is significant is that this website and the others mentioned have intimidated the entire Democratic presidential field with the exception of Joseph Biden, who will not go to that convention. And we respect the senator for that."
-- Bill O'Reilly on FOX News, "The O'Reilly Factor" (July 30, 2007)
This is a total misrepresentation.
And it's not the first time O'Reilly has tried to do this to Joe Biden.
The simple truth is Joe Biden would be at YearlyKos if he could, but adding a book tour to all the demands of a campaign meant some things had to change. But we won't stand by and let Bill O'Reilly try to drive a wedge between the progressive online community and us to make a false point on behalf of his half-baked theories.
While not always agreeing with all members of the DailyKos community, Joe Biden respects what the YearlyKos convention - a diverse assembly of activists and organizations - represents as a vehicle for progressives to organize and advocate on behalf of democratic ideals and the Democratic Party.
The main thing we are united on is that we must end this war in Iraq. I hope you'll take a look at Joe Biden's plan, the only comprehensive political solution offered by any Democratic candidate to leave Iraq without leaving chaos behind.
Our campaign has never shied away from using new technologies and new media to engage voters in this election season. Just last week, we responded via YouTube to Rudy Giuliani and his hollow rhetoric about Republicans and national security - an important moment for candidates directly engaging each other in an open dialogue.
And anybody who watched the YouTube debate knows Joe Biden is up for a direct conversation with the American people.
We look forward to participating in YearlyKos next year and working with the progressive online community to take back the White House in 2008.
Luis Navarro
Joe Biden for President
Campaign Manager