In the Palin avalanche, I don't see where anyone has diaried this speech by Joe Biden before a group of veterans in Virginia Beach, Va. Follow me below the fold for the video and some analysis.
Biden was speaking in Virginia Beach on Sept. 4, 2008.
Here's the video:
As much as I like Biden's image as the attack dog, I'm also growing to admire his ability to talk straight to audiences. He talks about multiple deployments and the high number of national guard soldiers who are maintaining the military presence in the middle east.
Listen to him: "America's not at war, the military's at war ... the only people who are making a real sacrifice are not only those deployed but the families of those who are left behind."
But more importantly, he's talking about the real costs - the long-term costs of our foolish adventure in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan.
And, most importantly, he lays on the line the commitment the Obama-Biden campaign is making to those veterans who come home with disabilities and injuries.
Again:
Seven years from now, there's going to be a big bill that we're going to have to pay ... I mean this from the bottom of my heart. If we as a government only have $10 to spend, and they tell me it's going to cost $4 to take care of those veterans, I will argue to spend that $4 on the veterans before I spend it on energy, before I spend it on the environment, before I spend it on education, before I spend it on any other radical need, because it's the only sacred obligation we have as a nation.
So the next time John McCain talks about veterans, ask him about our "only sacred obligation" and Obama/Biden's commitment to the wounded veterans of these wars.
As a bonus, here's Biden speaking before a union group, promising movement on the EFCA, and debunking the McCain campaign LIES about Obama raising taxes.
I had my doubts about Biden when the veepstakes were going on, but he's won me over. Apart from Edwards, who really had the populist issues down, Biden is proving himself as a good second.
UPDATE:
For those in Virginia (I spent a year there, it's beautiful!), here's some good video "Virginia Republicans for Obama":