No comments needed here. Is Joe Biden even relevant ?

One time can be considered a stumble… Biden's track record is clearly one of a racist who can't keep his bigotry under control.

You are clearly not what this country needs Mr. Biden.

It's hard to admit but there is some truth in what Sen. Biden says. Values tend to be different in Midwestern cities than in more densely populated cities on both coasts. If both parents work and send a child to daycare from the time he or she is six weeks old, it's hard to tell what kind of care they are getting. For sure they are going to learn someone else’s values.

We cause a great deal of our own problems I hate to say this but, Biden has a point! Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. The government cannot and will not come to our rescue. Fathers need to man up and raise their children from up close! It all starts there! Let the hate begin!

Well it's true….more poor black than whites, especially in DC vs Iowa. The problems would be solved a lot faster if certain groups could simply acknowledge this fact, rather than trying to challenge it simply because they may not like hearing it.

I don't know why he's backing off the comment. It's true that there actually is a racial difference in parenting styles which tends to discourage progress in education (at least according to test scores) in African Americans. It's not racist, it's just a cultural fact. Socio-economic status plays a role but there is still a racial effect.

"When you have children coming from dysfunctional homes [a socio-economic distinction, right Joe?], when you have children coming from homes where there's no books [you're right, Joe, everyone knows that poor people don't read books], where the mother from the time they're born doesn't talk to them [don't you hate when poor people do that?] — as opposed to the mother in Iowa who's sitting out there and talks to them [you're right, Joe, only in socio-economic upscale Iowa can you find a loving, nurturing mother]…."

Do you have any more wisdom to share with us, Joe?

It is a fact that this country has a massive education problem when it comes to poor people, when it comes to black people, and especially when it comes to poor black people.

Biden is not racist, he is just telling the truth. Nevertheless, he is missing something very important. If he is going to say these things, he also needs to explain both the reason behind this disparity and his solution to it.

I wish this guy would just switch party - to Republican - since everything he's said had been right on as an ignorant upperclass racist Caucasian as he is.

How is what he said not true?

The poor tend to struggle more academically, that's true.

Minorities tend to be poor more often. That's true as well.

It's not true that minorities, once socioeconomic and cultural-bias factors are eliminated, tend to perform poorly academically.

It's bigotry, plain and simple, to think otherwise.

It is sad that bigotry seems to be on the rise.

Biden is quite the racist pig here.

Is he seriously claiming that black parents care less about their childrens well being than white parents?

Even if a parent can't purchase books they can use the public library and get all the books for free.

Although an unfortunate stumble…the socio-economic situation is just that. Lower income urban families have less opportunity at parenting than rural families. However, Iowa has its share of the lower economic group too. Assuming most of Iowa is a nice little farm where mom spends hours talking to the kids while snapping beans..is not at all real.

I'm not defending what Joe Biden has said or done, but the assertion that the mid western people's values are "different" is just a downright lie. When you walk into a Hyvee and see 20 year old mothers shopping with their newborns at 11 @ night, you must question these "values" you're talking about. I live in the midwest now for work, having moved there from New England. Even in the cities, you didn't see that as often as I have here in the midwest.

Hahaha!! Midwestern Values! Laughable. I lived in Iowa. I've never seen more 17 year old mothers with young children out and about at 10 and 11 o'clock at night. I've also never seen so many people not have jobs. They just hang out on porches and lawns all day and night. I've never seen so many middle and high school aged kids roaming around during the day, clearly skipping school, life, whatever. And guess what, Senator Biden, they're white. WHITE WHITE WHITE. Honkies, Crackers, call them what you will. It's time, Senator Biden, that you just tell your supporters to back Governor Bill Richardson and go back to "making love to your wife"…

joe thank god you're not a repub or a conservative, because you would be thrown under the bus, and jesse and al would be protesting you. but since you're a Dem everyone will understand what you're saying, and count it as a slip of the tongue. just saying look at what people said about romney yesterday, and lets compare that with today.

Bill Cosby would agree 100% He pointed this out in his speech to the NAACP. The poor in the black community are "not holding up their end of the deal."
"Parenting is not going on." Brown v. the Board of Education where people risked life and limb to get to school is being disrespected in poor black communities where "what you is?" and "where you at?" is the common language.

Biden AND Cosby are right

I don't understand you people. Why is it "hard to say"? Why do we "not want to hear it"? It's the truth. Deal with it!! Black kids are raised on welfare, where it's more important to have shiny wheels on your car than food on the table. They have no father figure and chances are, their mother doesn't have much of an education either. So why are we surprised when the black children aren't as smart as the white ones? It's as plain as the nose on your face people. Keep telling the truth out there Joe. Don't let the media change you.

Biden wasn't ready for a presidential run in 1988, when he was caught cribbing the life story and speeches of British politician Neil Kinnock for his own use, and it's apparent he isn't ready this time around, either.

Campaigning all around the country must be a lot of fun, because it's hard to explain why somebody consistently within the margin of error of 0% in the polls would continue in the race otherwise.

Joe is half right and half wrong as are a few people posting today. I dont think Joe knows enough about african americans to say how we parent our children. Most of you probably dont know any african americans except from work or the youth sporting event.
Stephen in Charolttesville pointed out test scores…..funny thing about test scores the are affected by how much money is spent in the education system of that particular district. it is a fact urban schools have less money to work with compared to other schools and for some strange reason you think those children should do well.Why?! Also I wonder if any of the comparisons include students from traditional black colleges? I doubt it…that's not an image many would want to get out……certain people might get upset and start a few fires.

Macacca, Mr. Biden. Macacca. Say good-bye to your presidential aspirations right now.

Pluueeeze people… Racist pig? or just someone with enough guts to speak the truth? He is talking about a socio-economic inequality here, not race. Who in their right mind would even imply that white parents care more about their children than black parents..If anyone believes this, then they have a big problem with racism…For whatever reason, black children, in general, are not performing as well academically as white kids. It has NOTHING to do with race, but alot to do with equal opportunity, parental involvement and socio-economic status. It is a fact that many people in lower income and educational levels are black. There are also many blacks who make a heck of a lot more money than I do and could run circles around me in the smarts department! Do I think it is because of race? NO!! Let's get over this race sensitive insanity and be accountable for ourselves and our families! If we don't like results, we only have ourselves to blame.

On one hand, you have to wonder why any politician would make such a claim, whether it's correct or not. On the other hand, it also seems fair to ask why a Bill Cosby could have said roughly the same thing (if not more negative) and be praised for "taking a stand."

Seems like Biden just needed to focus his comment. The fact is that he's surely more familiar with DC than Iowa (though how familiar he is with the proverbial inner-city might be another matter). He might simply have said, "In the communities that I am familiar with…."

One thing's for sure: such comments won't get him elected, and they won't do much to improve the education system for whites, blacks, and everyone.

Now calm down my gentile snowflakes dont have meltdowns. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear. If your spouting anger right now, all it means is that he was most likely talking about you. Although not articulated clearly or politically correct. Joe Biden is part of what makes our country great a dedicated public servent, sit an listen to him speak someday not just a 5 second sound byte. If you think he's a racist you obviously dont know his life story. Like Joe said read a book… I suggest (Joe Biden's: Promises to keep)

Its time to stop playing the race card in politics. Joe Biden has a point, there is a different in race and social matters in the educational system. I come from a state where race did play a major role in our educational system but really isn't any more, because our Great State of Mississippi contains more poor people( black, white, or etc) then any other state in the Union. Where the rich consistently play the race card to get poor whites against poor blacks and poor blacks against poor whites. This has been the way of life in Mississippi for far to long. A State, where education has been rated die last in the Union. I can say this, Mr. Joe Biden," you are right …….race and socio-economical issues do play a major role in our educational system Plus, it also plays a big difference between Washinton D.C. and Iowa socio-economic/race in education!

Also, I am An African American living in a state which constently, use the poor (white, black, and etc) as a foot stool, Mississippi!

Biden is usually right about things and says things people don't necessarily want to hear but need to hear. And somehow he always manages to shoot himself in the foot at the same time.

Biden is one of the DEMOCRATS that speak the TRUTH. Most Dem's just hold out the lollipop to the minorities in an attempt to 'keep them on the government reservation' instead of holding them accountable, forcing them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and be responsible, productive citizens. The REPUBLICANS, instead of 'pandering to the poor' and every now and then, visiting the 'reservation', try to talk STRAIGHT. Those 'minorities' that wake up and pick themselves up, accomplish the American dream. This STILL happens 'only in America'. You will notice that most of the 'rhetoric' concerning the 'poor minorities' comes from the DEMS and only then when they are 'visiting the reservation' soliciting votes.

The first step to fixing a problem is recognizing it, isn't there? So do you want a presidential candidate who thinks everything is hunky-dory in the African-American community, or one who recognizes that decades after the Civil Rights Act we still have systemic inequalities in economic access and eduction? That's WHY Biden got involved in politics in the first place, to fix these problems! Take a look at his record and his continued high marks from the ACLU and NAACP, you'll see that this is a man who cares about equality — he just talks bluntly and honestly like someone who doesn't assume you're out to twist his words into a Gotcha for kicks.

Though Senator Biden comments rings with a tinge of insensitivity I do believe they have merit. How else do you explain such a disparity in test scores and school performance between Blacks and other ethnic groups. I do not think Joe meant to disparage African Americans but it is nigh time that we get to the guts of the matter. For reasons that need to be discussed a lot of African Americans have not taken advantage of the opportunities to excel in education. NO APOLOGY REQUIRED.

I have said this before but please people refrain from discussing race from an educated point of view.

There is no racial basis for the difference in the way parents educate their children.

Biden can hang it up.

The issues that people deal with in the inner city and in rural area can be incredibly different.

The truth or lack there of in his statement makes no difference because the premise is wrong. The color of the parents skin has nothing to do with it.

He should be ashamed of himself for us having any educational issues in our nations capital.

Talk about that with all of the most powerful people in the world concentrated in such a small area they cant help the situation.

look the fact is black families dont raise there kids the same as white families FOR THE MOST PART. it doesnt mean every black family raises there kids the same but a big portion do! thats why black neighborhoods are bad neighborhoods!!! because the kids arent raised right and they become criminal elements. its not like crime is just there and black people are forced into it because they work SO HARD and nothing works as well as crime. its because they dont want to work!! and for the most part they arent raised to work hard they are raised to believe they are owed something!!! why is there no black neighborhoods that are nice places to live????? because they are poor? well why are they poor???? cmon its truth america will only survive if we have pride in being american and we can point out our faults and fix them and help eachother but instead we are all so proud. look what happened to bill cosby when he commented on how black families are not raising there children right. he was attacked by everyone……pathetic

Bob from Seattle:

Scenario: Rich white family owns a black family. Emancipation comes along, and the rich white family releases the black family, who has no money. Over the next century, initial poverty, segregation, race laws, a lack of education, and social racism keep this black family just barely employable.

Only 40 years after people start trying to achieve equity between blacks and whites, and you're surprised it's not over yet? Slavery is over with and racism is on its way out, but these two will continue to have far-reaching consequences for generations to come. It's been a domino effect that simply has not ended yet. Yet.

It's easy to talk about being "productive citizens" when you happen to be on the right side of opportunity. Or when you're a trust fund kid.

You kids get off my lawn.

When they find his brain tumors next week we're all going to feel bad.

This may be hard to hear but Biden has a valid point. This is not bigotry it is reality for some unfortunately. I agree with an earlier blog - Black men need to MAN UP! BTW, Biden is by far the smartest choice for President.

Biden's right - it's purely socio-economic, this achievement gap in education. It just happens that it coincides with race distinctions. The last comment about the 7-11 was stupid, though. It didn't really prove anything.

Why is it that when people speak the truth whether it be Senator Biden or Bill Cosby that they are branded as outside the mainstream. Cudos for Biden for telling the truth about what is ailing public education and why No Child Left Behind will never be effective.

The best schools are in upper middle class areas and the worst are in inner city schools. Most inner city populations are majority minority schools and most kids are being raised by single family moms who don't speak to their kids because they work two-three jobs just to support the family.

It would be a stretch intellectually to label Biden a racist based on anything in this article.

To the other poster: Is Biden relevant? As a former Democrat turned Non-Affiliated I would say Biden is exponentially more qualified than Clinton or Obama. He has a track record of leadership in the senate that the other's just don't have. He actually get's stuff done as opposed to failing and blaming the other side for their failures. If we say Bush is divisive, how can we then say Clinton would be the answer. The Presidency in '08 is really the Democrats to lose.

Great point, RAFI OF NY, Spot on.

Thank you RAFI! Blacks have NOT had the same opportunities as whites, so it has and will take them alot longer to accomplish certain things. White families have owned property in America for centuries, and that money has been passed down for generations, making whites richer. Whereas Blacks only got their freedom about 40 years ago.

WHITE PEOPLE..wake up! Do you not see all the opportunities you have and that others don't. I'm not even black and I can see this.

Rafi Mittlefehldt, New York, NY

the only problem with that is the fact that Jews, Irish and other nationalities have faced slavery but overcame because afterwards they stuck together and kept there values and there families strong in this situation in black neighborhoods that attitude is definetely not the same. family values are out the window and society provides an attitude of understanding when history will show understanding doesnt work when the society doesnt look inward and instead uses the understanding as a crutch. it will never get better until the families get better

In the latest interview with Bill Cosby on PBS, Bill talked about the black culture that puts any kid down who does well in school. He said the black kid is told not to be a "whitey". Bill Cosby said that culture is part of the reason that in general, heavily black neighborhoods do not do as well as white neighborhoods in school. Although Joe Biden could have said what he meant more clearly, was correct when he said that the environment for doing well in school is better in Iowa than in Wash DC.When you are worried about getting shot, worried because there are drug dealers on your block, and struggling because you are poor to provide nutritious food and healthcare, school takes a back seat. Also, it has been shown that kids who come from college educated parents do better in school. What is the education level of the parents in downtown DC.?

It is priceless when Liberal Democrats, who constantly paint all Conservative Republicans as racist, expose themselves to their own human condition. Racism is a learned human behavior, not a partisan issue. I do believe Democratic Senator Robert Byrd was a member of the Ku Klux Klan (that is a fact not in dispute) and I wonder the African-American community has ever been told that? What would they say? Would Kanye West come out and say Sen. Robert Byrd doesn't like black? Would never happen and that is sad….

Although the comments may be seen as a little rough, they are true. I want a president that is not afraid to speak the truth. We need a president that speaks the truth. Moreover, I am glad he recognizes what he is up against with education.

The fact that he has to clarify the remark to not hurt anyone's feelings is the exact same reason why those educational performance gaps will never be solved. We are not honest in America. And that lack of honesty will keep us from solving the problems that plague us. Politicians lie to us because we demand it.

Reading some of the comments, I'm amazed at how out of touch some of your comments are. Many of you have never stepped in a classroom and don't have any idea how public education works.

No Child Left Behind will never work because public education never worked for all our population in the first place. In 1950, we had a 50% high school rate!

The difference today is that most kids who left high school or barely graduated could go to a factory and get a union (decent) paying job, work twenty to thirty years and raise their families in what we would call the "American Dream".

Today, those jobs have gone to the Third World, and the losers in this system are the working-class to poor people, particularly inner city people.

Now the American people are being sold a bill of goods called No Child Left Behind, that puts all the blame on teachers for what ails public schools.

Biden is correct that strong stable families with an emphasis on learning are the key to public education ever working. It must come from a culture of expectations. Asian kids arrive in US schools barely able to speak English and in one-year they have not only mastered the language but are at the top of the class.

Why? Their parents expect them to excell in school.

Biden is a dangerous. A voted for him is ill advised. Look at Mike Huckabee for a non wavering choice.

Rafi says: "Over the next century, initial poverty, segregation, race laws, a lack of education, and social racism keep this black family just barely employable. Only 40 years after people start trying to achieve equity between blacks and whites, and you're surprised it's not over yet? Slavery is over with and racism is on its way out, but these two will continue to have far-reaching consequences for generations to come."

oh please, get real. Legal, hard-working immigrants have come to this country and become solidly middle class within a generation. Millions of blacks are now upper middle class. What is the difference? Taking advantage of educational opportunities and valuing that education within the culture, coupled with a hard-driving work ethic. Plain and simple. Your excuses just don't hold water anymore, and it is time your people are called on it.

Again Joe Biden puts his foot in his mouth. Biden's greatest strength is his foreign policy experience, anything else is a weakness. Simply put the strength of any school system is relative to the expenditure per student, the wealth of the school district community, and the involvement of parents. That is the basic formula for a successful education system. America is always trying to put everything, education in this case, into a racist category. Unfortunately, Joe Biden's "tell it like it is" attitude tends to lead to other problems. Sort of like his resolution to split Iraq into 3 separate states. Sounds good for Americans who are short-sighted, but I see this as a long-term problem. Imagine a Kurdish state at war with Turkey, a Sunni state becoming a state-sponsor of Al-Qaeda, and a Shia state pretty much an extentsion of Iran. I think Biden needs to follow Brownback…DROP OUT, PLEASE

No doubt there were better ways for Sen. Biden to phrase his reply. I personally believe socio-economic class and opportunity has more to do with academic achievement (or the lack thereof) than race. However, all one has to do is turn on the radio, listen to some of the so-called music on it with its lyrics glorifying pimping, thuggery and mysogynism, and somehow the protestations of those screeching about Sen. Biden's racial "stumble" don't seem to carry as much weight.

This is the difference btw Republican and Democrat on education, as well as others..
Republicans want to confront the obvious and work on the underlying problems of family breakdown, just like Joe.
Democrats on the other hand, want to ignore the obvious, call it names and through more taxpayers money at a failed system that can never exceed under current conditions.

Thank God!! I can send my child to a school outside my failed district. Or should I say thank Bush..

Like the article says, this isn't the first time this has happened. Joe Biden is a racist.

What a joke. Joe Biden is the farthest thing from a racist, and the media knows it!! For Gods sake, one of the biggest reasons Joe Biden started in politics was because he wanted to help the Civil Rights Movement. He has the best civil rights voting record in the Senate. When this bunk comes up it makes me furious. I'm one person who's not going to stand by and let this man get slandered and misrepresented. In politics, when you see the slightest opening where you can spin reality to hurt someone else, people will do it. It makes me sick to my stomach. Joe Biden is the best candidate we have running today, and if you support the man don't let this ridiculous media attention sway you. Sure, the media reports this so called "stumble", but where are they when Joe Biden passes legislation that helps the American people and people around the world? NO WHERE! But if Hillary Clinton got her teeth cleaned, it be all over the news 24/7. Ridiculous.

Stumble?, are you kidding me. There is clear racisism over and over agian. I don't understand how any one would want to vote for him, let alone the democratic party consisdering the consistant flow of B.S. from all the democratic would be canadates.

Biden a bigot??? He has a 100% rating from the NAACP - 100%! Didn't know the NAACP thought so highly of bigots.

He marched for civil rights back in the day and that was instrumental in his deciding to enter public service.

Rev. Jesse Jackson has stood up for Biden, claiming that he is a strong supporter of civil rights, and the record of Biden–a frequent speaker at NAACP events–bears that out.

It has nothing to do with color, which is where Joe is wrong. Joe is even more wrong to talk about the problem when he is in on the plan to keep it going by being a democrat.

Democrats have created an entitlement class in this country. These people, white, black, whatever, don't work, and expect and demand a government check at the 1st of the month. They are lazy and don't care about themselves, much less their children whose lives are only based on a mistake or a way to get more govt. cheese.

This is the libs great society, hold these people back, give them a check from the government each month, keep them feeling that they are entitled to this check, and get their vote for the Democrats each November. All they have to do is remind these people that the republicans want them to learn personal responsibility and that fear guarantees them into a lib vote each and every time. Libs love poverty in America. They love kids who can’t read and end up committing crimes when the only job available is McDonalds. The lib knows that if these problems were solved, they couldn’t run on their lies of fixing the problem each and every election. God forbid one of these poor people learns personal responsibility, gets an education, works hard and supports themselves and their family, they might just end up voting Republican and we just can’t have that.

Oh my gosh if a Republican would have said this, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be coming out for the canidate to apoligize and drop out of the race. The double standard by the Democrats is a travesty.

Are there fundemental cultural differences between African-American, European-American and Asian-American (et al) families in what value is placed on education in relation to other activities such as sports, clubs, games, style, hanging out (which includes the fullest spectrum of leasurely activities), etc. When any of these come before education, there will be plenty of folks out there doing better in school - no matter what the racial demographics - those raised in homes where respect of education and success in the classroom is highest.

It must be socio/environmental factors that dictate such a disparity between the two groups Mr. Biden references - namely what value education has in a person's immediate environ - it would be entirely scandelous to even suggest that there any fundemental, intellectual differences at play.

Unless, the group receiving the higher school scores had available to them special affirmative action/aid programs not readily available to the other.

Bravo, Joe for telling it like it is without couching your words so they get lost in some politically correct mumbo jumbo. I appreciate people who do not pander. Bill Cosby has been saying the same thing for 10 years and he keeps getting shouted down. I guess he's a racist, too?

why is it that when it comes to issues like this its easy to blame blacks for not rising their kids right.it is common facts that avery community in the world where they is poverty they will always be lack of education be in south america,poor areas in asia, africa/middle east and ghettos etc.what joe is saying is true and it would be nice to stress that racisim has avery thing to do with it here in america.like it or not.if u r poor the first priorty is not educating your kid,food, clothing shelter etc.its easy to look at the poor and say they let themselfs down.if all that money being invested in iraq was invested in education in black and latino communities,alot good would have come out of it than wat we are trying to achive in iraq.its like a game of basketball were the other team starts with 50 points on the board and say u pretty much have the same chance to win the game.ok atleast u had the chance to play, nice try.

This man has a 100% rating from the NAACP. He is no racist. And if you read the WaPo article, they do more describing than quoting. They did this to Hillary a few weeks ago, had to put up a transcript, and back down from some of the loaded things they said.

OMG, This is unbelieveable. You people are hypocrites! Just a few weeks ago, the media, including CNN were flailing your arms in the air over an innocent statement made by FOX commentator Bill O'Reilly. The screams of racism and vicious attacks against him by those on the left went on for days. Now I read here, that you all support these truly racist comments. Oh, it must be because he is a Democrat. If a Republican had said the exact same thing, you people would be clamoring for his head.

The guy is 90% right. People don't like to hear that their kids are sub-par because of them as parents, they'd much rather blame teachers. The education gap is present before kids even hit the classroom - absolutely!

I love how people get angry over hearing the truth!

Sadly Biden speaks the truth.

Slavery is over with and racism is on its way out…

Posted By Rafi Mittlefehldt, New York, NY : October 25, 2007 12:50 pm

It is? Show me where! I hate to tell you this, Rafi, I really do, but slavery just had it's name changed (to protect the guilty) and racism is alive and well in America. Open your eyes and take a good look around. It's just about everywhere you look and it's not going away.

For every one place you can show me where there is no racism, I can show you several places where there are every day examples of it. Such as police and or government agencies who use racial profiling, or discrimination in employment, housing, education, just to name a few of the more prevalent (and disgusting) examples.

AHHH the truth hurts doesn’t it. Since when is facts and truth racism? Its not! This PC would just has you prissy proper and nice now. DOWN WITH PC IT’S SICKENING! BE REAL! This PC crap has castrated this country and is the reason we are having so many issues! If little Pedro fails English the ACLU gets involved and fights to have English not thought in schools because its resist. I’m SICK OF IT!

Salita

also as far as your statistics go…do some research blacks are 3 to 4 times more likely to commit rape then whites look it up and serial killers??? are you serious what do we have 1 maybe 2 serial killers a year? and drug abusers are victims of drugs and drug dealers…..now lets look at something that causes a little more crime like GANGBANGERS and DRUG DEALERS how about PIMPS i think those 3 categories are probably more dangerous to our country then serial killers and drug abusers combined. and i dont think i need to even look up statistics for those 3 categories do i? or do you accept those 3 things because they are apart of pop-culture??? dont pretend black and white neighborhoods are the same in some watered down overp-played speech….do your research if you have to but its a hell of alot easier just to look outside your front door to see what the truth it….

The 13th amendment did abolish slavery. No place has ever existed or will exist that doesn't have racist of all color. It exist in all of us. I believe it be sin.

Biden has a habit of speaking the truth and then people get angry about it. Instead of focusing on his interpreted "fumbles" I wish CNN would focus more on his positions, which leave the other democratic lamebrains in the dust. I would take him over clinton or obama anyday.

Oh man, I was just beginning to warm up to Biden. Whether you think what he said is racism or not, no presidential candidate with such poorly developed diplomatic skills should lead our nation, particularly after George Bush.

Sorry Joe.

I challenge someone to quote anything that was correct about his statement aside from the population numbers.

Then I would like to see someone make the race linkage. I would like to see how African Americans have anything to do with the disparity. Surely someone as right as Biden would be able to find many other factors that happen outside the home that would contribute to an education gap.

And why would he mention African Americans if he was just making a socio-economic statement.

We dont have bad parents in Iowa the amount of people with degrees there is below the national average…so what does that say about them.

You did it again Biden enjoy another term in the senate

"it is common facts that avery community in the world where they is poverty they will always be lack of education be in south america,poor areas in asia, africa/middle east and ghettos etc" Las Vegas.

spoken like a true intellectual person. Lets invest every cent that any nonblack or latino makes and invest in them. that way all the poor white kids which there are plenty of can say "what about me, arent we victims too." I was a teacher in a urban mostly black and latino school in houston. It was a brand new school, new books, new science equipment etc. Do you think the kids gave a crap. no. Do you think the parents cared. nope. They were to busy telling there kids not to listen to me because "I didnt have the (black)kids best intentions in my heart." Do you think that kid will ever listen to what I would teach. Nope. So this desparity in education crap needs to stop. Urban kids are to focused on being rappers, and cant be happy with just being middle class, and their parents are to busy teaching entitlement. If you cant take care of youself dont be surprised if noone else will either.

The socioeconomic argument came through loud and clear to me in what Biden said. I found nothing racist in the remarks, only the bald faced truth. If one insists on turning a blind eye to the truth how can one do what is needed to boost opportunity where a boost is needed. Biden's service for all these years has been in government, shaping policy that puts opportunity in the hands of folks, so they can be the best sharer of their gifts for the benefit of the rest of us (i.e. reach their highest potential). Biden's strength is his experience in governments working solutions, I commend him for this, and find his policies are just what we need today.

For someone who doesn't know the difference between your and you're you certainly have a lot to say about articulation. While I disagree with what Biden said due to the manner in which he said it (the love angle especially and the mom's talking to their kids) what he has stated is very true. I know plenty of african americans (is that right as I'm from Canada?) that grew up in the same social class as myself and have grown up 'into' the same social class as myself because they were awarded the same opportunities. Wealth dicates a lot and ignorance breeds itself, where wealth is less prevelant ignorance is more and unfortunately minorities in urban centers make up a larger proportion of the poor.

"Now calm down my gentile snowflakes dont have meltdowns. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear. If your spouting anger right now, all it means is that he was most likely talking about you. Although not articulated clearly or politically correct. Joe Biden is part of what makes our country great a dedicated public servent, sit an listen to him speak someday not just a 5 second sound byte. If you think he's a racist you obviously dont know his life story. Like Joe said read a book… I suggest (Joe Biden's: Promises to keep)"

Posted By Donald, Buxton Maine : October 25, 2007 12:27 pm

CNN, please show some courage and professionalism and DO NOT delete my opinion. This is a country where everyone has a right to express his opinion. You can not delete my post just because I don't serve your agenda.

I don't support Senator Biden in the presidential election and I am neither black nor white. However, I agree with the content of his argument because it's true that schools performence depends on the composition of demographics. I live in NY and my son's school districts have many students from inner cities. I found 3 schools in our school districts are about 40% worse compared to other schools within 10 miles from us. I did some research on class room size and quality of teachers and all were comparable. I also looked at percent of student that are white in school (more stable home and more attention at home) and percent student who recieve free lunch at school (overall economic condition of households) and how the school performance is related to these factors. I have seen there is a DIRECT correlation between school's performance in math, science and english in NY state tests and these two factors. About 40% minority students and 45% students recieveing free lunch at school perfectly accounted for the poor performance of these schools.

I am not saying minority kids are less smart or can not learn. It's a sad fact that more minority people live in poverty compared to white people. Many students are raised by grand parents in the absence of a responsible or caring parents. Guardian's don't or can't help with home work or talk to teachers on children's progress. It's a viscious cycle. Many parents are poor because they are not educated or without a decent wage. Since they are not responsible and/or educated themselves, they are not paying enough attention to the kid's education who are falling behind every day and dropping out at some point and dragging school's performance along the way.

One thing is true though. This is not a minority problem. This is an American problem that need to be dealt with head on. People's health and education can not be treated as a highly profitable business in 21st century. We are not talking about socialist solution but some form of government intervention that make these affordable while keeping individuals resposnible for them. Otherwise, the world is moving toward a global knowledge economy, the population in US by 2040 will be 50% minority (lation, black, Asian). If we ignore these issues, 50% of American workforce will become uncompetitive, underskilled compared to the rest of the world. In next 30/40 years, US economy will compete with India and China's head on, not with EU or Latin America. A healthy, highly educated population is the only way to keep American competitiveness alive. George Bush's solution of "here is $300 in tax cut, go spend in shopping mall and that will increase demand of goods/job and improve economy for the country" is nothing but short sighted and ridiculous. We need visionary leadership that think about where this world is headed and how we can keep this country competitive in next 50 years and beyond. That does not happen automatically, without a plan or strategy and without a nation with courage to take on the challenge.

Obama, is the man with vision, enthusiasm, willing to tell the truth, willing to stand tall against special interest, willing to solve long standing problems like education and healthcare and energy. It's a question of whether, we the people will support him. I will support him 100% and vote for him. WOULD YOU? For the sake of the future of this great country and nation. WOULD YOU????? It's not about Clinton, Biden or Obama. It's about us and our kid's future and the world they will live in after all of us.

Again where is this great truth that he spoke?

You people keep talking about this bold face truth well what truth did he speak aside from saying that there are less African Americans in Iowa.

Everyone seems to think he is telling it like it is but they can't seem to pinpoint the words he used that is actually doing so.

Was the truth the part about the kids not having books in their homes or maybe the part about the mothers not talking to them.

I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say he is not racist, but I need to know what truth he spoke. Any takers???

so joe you opened your mouth again.
if it were a republican ( sorry he would have been gone the first time)

This is typical democratic hear no evil see no evil.

I thought the gop were racists.

This is so ridiculous. Biden did not say anything wrong. Statistics prove that minorities score lower on tests and have lower graduation rates. Biden is trying to do something about it.
What am I missing here other then Biden speaking the truth?

LOL! Oh how rich is this? He says it: it's ok. When Republicans make the same point: racism.

Anybody with a D on their name gets a free ride from accusations of being prejudiced…doesn't matter if you are a former Klan member or if you're a former defender of a deranged homophobe who killed gay politicians simply because they were gay.

This is funny.

The NAACP invited Sen. Joe Biden to lead their Martin Luther King Day memorial in Columbia, South Carolina.

They did not invite Senators Dodd, Clinton or Obama. They didn't ask Mike Gravel, Bill Richardson, John Edwards or Dennis Kucinich.

The NAACP knows Joe Biden's record on civil rights, and they respect him for it.

What CNN media today took to mean one thing actually means another, and it is CNN who should apologize for their mistake — not brow beat the senator for his news comments to the Washington Post — a rival news media to CNN, I might add…..

Blacks in Washington are more or less welfare plantation serfs. The D.C. school system is a jobs program for loyal black capos. The kids and education are just props.

It's not about learning; it's about the money.

Anyone who doesn't want the effects of the DC racket can get on a bus and get. They don't. Therefore they must be satisfied, or compensated. The Democrats have always known the price of slaving, they now just use adult blacks as their intermediaries.

I work for a public school in Southeast DC. Our students are 99% black and 1% latino. Joe's views on education are the most well-informed in the whole race. How many of you even know what Cledwama's Education plan is? Biden's is comprehensive and will improve the American public school system. I am constantly amazed by people's zealotry to cry racism. Joe Biden has a 100% NAACP rating, and his involvement with the Civil Rights movement in his 20s was instrumental in his decision to enter politics, and for the past 4 decades he has been a champion of civil rights. Where are you bandwagon race-card players hiding whenever Joe passes a Senate resolution that could save thousands of lives in Iraq, or when he passes the Violence Against Women act?

The problems facing our decrepit education system in this country are real and very complex. And they will require real and complex solutions, not cosmetic ones.

If we continue to ignore what's staring us right in the face we'll never fix education in this country.

Gosh Biden, why do you always do this? You are the only smart and sincere candidates that the Democrats have yet you always say something politically incorrect and get yourself in trouble. I know what you meant and it was an intelligent point but gosh, do u want to have a shot at this election or what?

Sen. Biden is the most moderate and thoughtful person on foreign policy and I would vote for him over most of the Republican candidates. I just wish his political savvy was a little more and he'd watch his tongue better so he can at least get elected.

None of you can say what he was right about. What is more disturbing is how some of you that say you come from the public school system are defending him when he didnt even say anything I hope all of you are retired.

He's the best candidate, and though he was indelicate in his reply, he certainly has a grasp of the problem.

Buh-bye Joe….You want fries wit dat foot samich?

its obvious …i did as you said i did a little research….Whites committed 65.3% of all forcible rapes in 2006…while blacks 32.5%. So much for 3 or 4 times more likely. LOL!

I dont think i need to go any further with your post Its clearly you were incorrect in your information but i suspect that is nothing new.

Ahem….
As an African American mother, what concerns/distresses me is that Joe's statement generalizes all African Americans and not those parents who have books in their home, read and talk intelligently to their children, not let "race" drag them down. Yes we do have some in the black community who posess the 40 acres and a mule mentality, but to those who want to believe all blacks are slackers… how do you explain Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice, Vernon Jordan, Barbara Jordon, Charles Drew, etc. etc.?

I agree with Bill Cosby and yes he was shouted down by other Poverty Pimps (you know who) that make their living off of instilling victimhood in African Americans.

James Brown said it best…"I DON'T WANT NOBODY TO GIVE ME NOTHING…OPEN UP THE DOOR, I'LL GET IT MYSELF!"

is this the same thing bill cosby has been trying so hard to tell for years now.

it is common facts that avery community in the world where they is poverty they will always be lack of education be in south america,poor areas in asia, africa/middle east and ghettos etc" Las Vegas.

spoken like a true intellectual person. Lets invest every cent that any nonblack or latino makes and invest in them. that way all the poor white kids which there are plenty of can say "what about me, arent we victims too." I was a teacher in a urban mostly black and latino school in houston. It was a brand new school, new books, new science equipment etc. Do you think the kids gave a crap. no. Do you think the parents cared. nope. They were to busy telling there kids not to listen to me because "I didnt have the (black)kids best intentions in my heart." Do you think that kid will ever listen to what I would teach. Nope. So this desparity in education crap needs to stop. Urban kids are to focused on being rappers, and cant be happy with just being middle class, and their parents are to busy teaching entitlement. If you cant take care of youself dont be surprised if noone else will either.

Posted By james, buda, tx : October 25, 2007 3:27 pm
james you missing my point u just said it your self,parents dont encourage their kids the way they are suppose to the reason being? the things i mentioned above .poverty ,racisim etc.look at how black people dominate sports in america,the reason being sky is the limit, if that sort of atmosphere existed in all walks of life thing would be different. you one of those fox who say we are all equal blacks and whites knowing very well thats not the case,stop cheating yourself,

This proves why Biden is the dumbest member of congress.

No No Nooo.. you people JUST don't understand!!

When a Democrat says something like this - he's telling the "truth".

When a Republican says the same thing, he's a "racist".

Democrats are "progressive tolerants" when you belong to their club. But if you belong to a different club - different rules apply.

Now… let's get back to defending Joe Biden and telling everyone how "ok" it is to blame low education scores on the color of the children's skin.

OK, I was going to read all the comments and then reply, but I stopped at Shane Smith in TN and had to set the record straight. I am a black woman raised in a 2 parent home and they both worked and I was not raised on welfare. It's ignorant comments like that which causes issues. You cannot make blanket statements like this because not everyone fits what you think is your normal status quo. It goes back to parenting, regardless if you're a white parent or a black parent!

All Democrat Learders feel this way bit they don't talk about it to the media.

I think Joe Biden is a moron, but in this case, his comments may be legitimate. All the money that has been pumped into inter-city school systems has been wasted…everything that minorities have screamed about they've gotten. Bill Cosby's comments should be a reference on this point.
As far as Indians in the Md area, I have no problem with those people owning their own business, but I will add that I will avoid them, especially hotels, as I have never seen one that didn't smell of mold, have dirty floors or where all the furniture was in some state of disrepair. Call me racicst if you want, but the health department needs to come down hard on this.

I see a pattern. Listen to his comments on immigrants from India - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIT3jUrNTX0.

You thought Trent Lott's comments were offensive. This putz has got to go!

JOE BIDEN IS RIGHT! AN EDUCATION IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. THE BLACKS ARE STILL FEELING SORRY FOR THEMSELVES EVEN AFTER WHITEY PAYS THEM TO DO NOTHING!THEY REALLY DONT HAVE IT THAT BAD! SOCIETY NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND PUT A STOP TO THE EXTORTION OF THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THIS COUNRTY EXIST. THE LAZY AND ALL THE ILLEGAL IMIGRANTS WHO BILK AND CHEAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH WITH EXTREME MEASURES.

the democrats are the true racists in the usa. who always stirs up trouble between the races. who fans the flames?
liberal democrats, liberal cnn, liberal rever ends, liberal press.

ciao,
Harvey

I wonder what people would say if a white reporter asked a Japanese- or Chinese-American Senator what should be done about the poor test results and college attendance rates of white people compared to Asians. The answer is the same. It is culture and values. Nothing more. The real question is how do we create a culture that can compete with Asia. Has anyone noticed that while we are trying to figure out why some "minorities" are not doing as well as whites, the global majority (that would be Asians) are outperforming us in school and now manufacture everything we buy !!!!!!!

If Black kids get bad SAT scores it makes Joe Biden a racist. Well, I guess if Katrina was George Bush's fault then Joe Biden must be a racist as minorities do receive lower receive lower standardized test scores.

So now let's compare what Biden said with what Dr. James Watson said. Should we pressure Biden to retire, or do we enroll Watson to make his own presidential run?!?

The obvious facts speak for themselves, as stated by Biden. Other Posters have already pointed out how Biden, as a Dem, gets a total pass from the LSM for this and other comments he has made, such as the one regarding East Indians, etc.
The same reality applies to the Dumbing Down of many US schools all over the country which are forced to accommodate the expenses, the culture & the language of the invading Illegal Aliens. Then the Illegals are actually discouraged from assimilating, etc by "Progressives".
I suppose that if the controversial Dr Watson were a Democrat, or one of their major contributors..He would still have the job he was forced to retire from, inspite of his historically backed (racist) statement.

las vegas nv:
I think you're helping to prove Biden's point…
Please tell me you're not a product of the illustrious Clark County School District because I have two kids still in it and, if so, I need to pull them out immediately!
BTW, your spelling lesson for the day should include the word 'every'…

Mr. Biden is only telling it like it is. I once lived in Delaware and his statement is very true.

It's just the facts. Why deny the truth? What are you all afraid of?

I agree with someone who said it's just that a lot of minorities are poor that they don't do well academically. Being poor makes life so stressful, I cannot imagine raising children well without very exceptional parental skills in such an envirnment.

My husband and I do well financially, but trying to raise ONE single toddler with utmost care takes all my time and energy. If I had to scrimp for the rent, struggle to pay unexpected medical bills, put off car repairs, scrounge around for a last minute baby sitter because my wage job offers no personal days, walk laundry five blocks while juggling an infant, I can't imagine that I would have the wherewithal to give the requisite care and attention to a little person(s) who can be very aggravating and trying at times.

Let's all work to get everone out of poverty (and that doesn't necessarily mean more money into the current system) so that we never have to discuss whether race is a factor in intelligence.

I must say there are some good and interesting comments here.

For the record, Joe Crow, my mother TALKED to all of us every day and all of us were FORCED to learn our ABC’s and how to count at THREE YEARS OLD. We were reading and writing before Kindergarten which is why half of the crap we were taught was boring in the first place. This is it. I give up on this man. I'm done forgiving him and feeling sorry for him. I refuse to keep offering excuses for his stupid comments. I no longer believe he is this ignorant about Black people. I'm done. I'm through.

I honestly believe that he put the truth out there. I am not for Democrats or Republicans due to their mixed differences but he makes a great point. The truth needs to come to light, otherwise, we will become a more dumb founded nation which will lose in the end. The racial card needs to be shut down because it is not allowing us as a society to progress toward a better future. James Watson had a good point to saying scientific results of African people had a lower class intelligent level and that it doesn't matter what environment or geographic location, it follows. Take care everyone and praise the first democrat in this day in age to make a good point!

Unfortunately, this statement is the truth. Because the mother, works with the kids, even though she may work outside the home, it has an impact. If the father is absent, what is the message? Have you ever looked at the stats on crime, literacy, (even with the dumbed down testing methods) and other real life indicators of the differences between blacks and whites. Blacks are supposed to become sports people, rappers or drug dealers, that is all we are shown as successful by peers and parents. If a teacher or any "outsider" tells us different, or tries to show what a black can aspire to become, they are called Toms or told they are not black enough. The few that do rise above their brethern have a few things in common, maybe we should focus on these and try to promote them.

What this vain {nice plugs putz} arrogant clown said is 100% correct. He`s lucky that he lives on the democrat plantation. Being a liberal means never having to say your sorry.

kudos to Biden. He finally got something right! My two brothers a Social Workers and believe me, Biden knows what he's talking about. My wife attempts to teach children from these dysfunctional families and as hard as she tries, it's pretty much a waste of time. On a Parent/Teachers day, the school is lucky to have three parents (out of 400) show up.

Who care?

Why do the real perpetrators of racism (Jackson, Sharpton, and Obama supporters) get away with trying to sabotage good people?

I blame all race-related problems on Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson because they are responsible for injecting racism into every instance where a truthful comment isn't what black people may not want to hear.

Everyone–and I mean everyone–please stop pretending to be so easily offended by truthful or false comments made by politicians or the media. Fake outrage is ruining this country and there are too many hate mongers and babies like Sean Hannity and Al Sharpton who demand apologies for ridiculous reasons. Stop it.

Get thicker skin. And you're gonna need it if you want to survive this pretend war on terrorism. That and Iraq should offend you more than Biden's comments. Get real, people.

Oops, he broke #1 PC rule, he spoke the truth!

Perhaps Dr. Watson was right? Whenever you bring up the subjet of black Americans in many sports their dominence is credited to their athletic ability. If this is really true why can't their performance in school be credited to their intellectual ability. Until we have rational and wide ranging open discussions on this discrimination will always be a problem.

Let's not talk about slavery as a reason for socio-economic desparity. many cultures have faced oppression and racism as have risen above it (Chinese, Japanese, or Jewish). These three cultures place high value on education, cafeful spending and saving, and cultural advancement. African American culture has brought us many great things - but it has also brought up an generation of "thugs" who seek to glamorize the street lifestyle and drug dealing.

Now it is fair to agrgue that white kids are the biggest consumers of rap music and gang related merchandise - but ultimately we see what happens when these rap "artists" are given power, money and influence - they use it to degrade the rest of society even further.

Can the truth be racist? I have been involved with Detroit schools for 30 years. The Senator's comments are reflected in my experience.

As Bill Cosby has recently stated;

"In our cities and public schools we have 50% drop out. In our own neighborhood, we have men in prison. No longer is a person embarrassed because they’re pregnant without a husband. No longer is a boy considered an embarrassment if he tries to run away from being the father of the unmarried child."

It's about time Politicians, Scientists, Nobel Prize Winners, etc. are speakin the truth about racial issues. People are getting tired of holding back, because it might offend some minority.

I notice how you liberal weenies are quick to criticize someone when they speak the truth. You just love it when someone makes an outrageous comment that is filled with untruths. Wake up will you and smell the coffee.

Hell, he is right, there are more fight at school with more latinos and blacks in the mix. LOl that is where u find the Indians. I'm not racist, but what Biden says is partially true.

Don't let this get you down, Joe. The radical race-card-players on the left will soon move on and continue down their path of destruction and try to ruin someone else's life. Stay strong, weather the storm. Keep telling the truth.

James

To Salita - or whoever

Your post is misleading. Blacks ARE more likely to commit rape. You obvioulsly don't know how to look at statistics. Whites make up 75% of the USA and blacks make up only about 12- 13%, which logically makes "crime-age" black males about 6% (or even less). To have ONLY 6% of the population committing 32.5% of all forcible rapes in the country means that, yes, they are more likely to rape. It is a matter of PROPORTIONALITY!

I hate Joe, but I have to agree with him. Areas that have higher minority levels, have bad schools.

FACT.

"When you have children coming from dysfunctional homes, when you have children coming from homes where there's no books, where the mother from the time they're born doesn't talk to them …"

Actually, this is dead on accurate. There are too many irresponsible parents who simply don't care about their children's welfare. And no amount of government social programs is ever going to be able to counteract that.

What is so racist about telling the truth? He should have continued to explain that the Democrats 'Great Experiment' of LBJ is the cause of the welfare mindset. That the Democrat Socialist Nanny State, is not needed.
Those that are on Welfare, should not be allowed to vote. They'll just keep voting in people that will give them handouts… Like Hillary.

Why persecute the man for telling the truth. Has political correctness gone that far?

let put it so all of you brain dead DNC members will understand JOE BIDEN (d) IS THE HEAD OF THE KKK IN DELAWARE!!

Joe Biden must be moving up in this competition if so many Obama and Ron Paul followers are attacking him.

Good for you Joe!

I've never cared for Biden, mainly because of his pathetic Chuck Schumer-like efforts to get in front of a TV camera for any reason whatsoever. But, there's no denying that the guy is smart… one of the more intelligent and brighter dudes in the Senate (yeah, I know, a low bar) if you read some of his writings.

But just because what he said is not Politically-Correct, does not detract from the accuracy and merit in his observations. He's not saying much of anything different than Bill Cosby has repeatedly said.

More politicians should have the 'nads to tell it like it is and not pander to the race-baiting, poverty pimps like Jesse and Al, et al., that the media and other pandering politicians routinely prostrate themselves before. Blacks — and all others — will be better off from considering the valid criticism.

Don Imus says a few silly words in jest and gets canned. We have a cow over whether a Senator played footsie in an airport. Yet this isn't reported in the Chicago Libune, New York Slimes or Washington Compost??

Biden's comment will certainly be viewed as racist. Not b/c he is racist but b/c he is an easy target and we don't want to adress the real racial gap that exist. As an African American that supports Biden I find this subject hard to adress but I'm glad he said it and i hope this will start an actual dialogue.

Black people has monkey brains no wonder they are so stupid and fail