November 23, 2007
Posted: November 23rd, 2007 10:13 AM ET

Sen. Biden spent Thanksgiving in Iowa.

(CNN) - While many of the 2008 Presidential candidates briefly abandoned the campaign trail in exchange for spending time with their loved ones on Thanksgiving, Sen. Joe Biden was in Urbandale, Iowa, demonstrating the true meaning of public service.

Armed with a with coffee pot and a smile, Biden maneuvered his way through the tables of a restaurant wishing patrons, “Happy Thanksgiving,” and asking if anyone needed a refill on their coffee.

As he walked through the crowded restaurant, Biden didn’t overlook an opportunity to discuss among other things, the need for updated armor to protect military vehicles in Iraq. He was still holding a pot of coffee as he stopped to tell one table, “Seventy-five percent of the kids killed today are killed by road side bombs, riding around in vehicles that weren't designed to protect them.”

Biden, who has been a strong advocate for increased funding for updated armor, kept his comments brief this holiday as he grabbed a fresh pot of coffee and moved on to the next table.

– CNN Political Desk Editor Alta Spells

Filed under: Iowa • Joe Biden


chris, Chicago, IL   November 25th, 2007 11:54 pm ET

What a humble act. This guy is definately Jesus. Oh, to clarify, I am talking about the Jesus that everybody seems to believe in. Not the ancient philosophical warmongering one invented by Roman Propoganda.

http://www.golden-lamp.com

Something big is going to happen.
Yes it is.

Sharon, Littleton, CO   November 24th, 2007 8:07 am ET

I'm leaning toward Joe....he makes a lot of sense, has solid experience and a self-deprecating humor that is refreshing. Too bad he's not given much time to speak during the debates!
Biden's the man!

lq, rochester mn   November 23rd, 2007 2:33 pm ET

The more I see of Biden, the more I like. He was very impressive in that fiasco of a debate last week.

Amy, Fl   November 23rd, 2007 1:56 pm ET

It's refrehing to see that others also recognize that Biden is the best candidate, hands down, to be President. I firmly believe he is the ONLY Dem candiate that can get Repubs and Independents. I hope the Iowans are paying attention to the debates and to the SUBSTANCE of the candidate's positions and experience.

Rossana,Iowa   November 23rd, 2007 11:12 am ET

He is a waiter and a Thief too. How about the speech he stole in the late eithties in Britain that embarrassed him. I don't think this is a good role model.
I also think him and Dodd are after dividing Iowa votes so that eventually they will endorse Hillary. I am Latino voting for Obama!

Lynne, Florida   November 23rd, 2007 11:00 am ET

Joe is right, he's the right person for the job, and anyone with a brain can see it. He is gaining support, because people everywhere are starting to get it. I think he's going to do much better in Iowa than some would like to think....

Christine, Burke, VA   November 23rd, 2007 10:59 am ET

To clarify - Joe Biden isn't suggesting that Iraq be divided into three separate countries, but that they have three separate states. We here in the United States have 50 of them - why can't the Iraqis have what they said they wanted? Biden is promoting an idea that's actually written into Iraq's own FEDERALIST constitution. The truth is that the Iraqi leaders wrote - and its citizens voted on - a constitution that's not being followed by the thugs we've propped up. Why not? Follow the oil money and there's your answer. Biden is the only leader telling it like it is.

I will vote for Biden in the primary and hope against odds that he wins the nomination. We need an intellect in the White House again.

Dan (Baltimore, MD)   November 23rd, 2007 10:33 am ET

Senator Biden knows the spirit of the season? Then, why did he coincidentally end up in the first voting state of the primary? Wouldn't it have been better to go up the road from him home and volunteer at a soup kitchen in Philly? This was a publicity stunt and vote-getting gimmick. I hope the dems in Iowa are smart enough to see him for the political hack that he is...

Ralph,Nash,T.N.   November 23rd, 2007 10:08 am ET

I like Biden,I would also like the people we put in power to do the job we put them in power to do,like impeachment of G.w.bonehead.the war,the economy,all of this is important,however we have a president that would make Nixon blush..

joseph,austin,tx   November 23rd, 2007 9:53 am ET

to hell with this dog and pony show if he really wanted to demonstrate "the true meaning of public service" he would have done this at a homeless shelter and would have left politics at the door.

Daniel, Little rock, mississippi   November 23rd, 2007 7:45 am ET

Joe you had my vote from day one. Something in my heart tells me come election day, the polls will not mean anything.

Sam, IA   November 23rd, 2007 7:12 am ET

A man from a working class family works hard and achieves prominence in america and is direspected by the rightwing hate radio koolaid drinkers while a blueblood relative of the queen of England is percieved as a good ole southern cowboy. What a country!!!
You have any pictures of Barney Fife Bush astride a stallion? Nope, He is scared of horses. Big belt buckle, little mind. The perfect rightwinger. GO JOE!!!!!!!

mark wilkes barre pa   November 23rd, 2007 6:52 am ET

After reading this story, I am compelled to change my vote based soley on Mr Bidens selfless act of kindness. NOT ! Way to work a room though Joe

Tom Smith, Orlando, FL   November 23rd, 2007 6:42 am ET

If this country wasn't full of a bunch of ignorant morons incapable of understanding intelligent solutions from partisan rhetoric, then Biden would be the frontrunner. Sadly, we elect people who are best at playing the political game, not the ones who are best at serving the American people.

Bob, Los Angeles, CA   November 23rd, 2007 3:50 am ET

Joe Biden is not just the most qualified candidate, he's er, um. Naw, I didn't have another point. He's just the most qualified candiate.

GO JOE!!

mike, glenmont ohio   November 23rd, 2007 3:48 am ET

What a turd....fake human being...he never bothered to do this on any other thanksgiving unless he wanted votes

MS Johnson City, TN   November 23rd, 2007 2:05 am ET

Does he serve refills if you visit him in his Senate chamber?

I think not.

I used to listen to him until he started talking about breaking Iraq into three pieces.

How many pieces does he suggest of Afghanistan?

Undecided CA   November 23rd, 2007 12:17 am ET

Joe is the proof that a majority of voter's comprehension of issues is so low ou cannot rate them as dumb. Real qualified candidates never have a chance in this mad political circus. American democracy will sink if people do not change this old selection process and come up with the process where genuine candidates (like Joe) have a real chance to present their talents and get elected to serve this country. I only wish that the dumb president would be smart enough to utilize Joe’s foreign policy experience for the sake of the country. At least Hillary is smart enough to do that, but with unethical and immoral attack from Obama and Edwards (what a dumb kids both are!) and the Republican attack Machine she may not even be elected.

Oh God help America and give some sense to all these dumb voters

Mike   November 23rd, 2007 12:04 am ET

Providence,

Do some research before posting, buddy! The "plagiarism" incident was manufactured by the Dukakis campaign in '88. They taped him quoting Neil Kinnock without attribution exactly one time, but as has been noted many times:

"Biden had mentioned Kinnock in previous deliveries of that speech, though not in the one distributed to the press."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/01/biden_set_to_en.html

I support Dodd, but please, don't slander people and call them "insane" without doing your homework.

Roger Pearson, Greenwich, Connecticut   November 22nd, 2007 11:49 pm ET

Joe Biden has the only really sensible approach to the "Iraqi Problem". It is essentially a power sharing triumvirate among the three factions that have feuded for centuries which provides the only realistic chance of breaking the vicious cycle of violence which now claims as its victims over 3,000 of our finest and bravest. He also advocates leaving a residual force there of perhaps 20,000 troops which makes eminent sense given the Iranian threat which would again de-stabilize the region should we just pull out. Unfortunately Joe will not get elected or even nominated. Hopefully, however, his plan will get the attention it deserves.

Catherine Madison, WI   November 22nd, 2007 11:33 pm ET

Of course he's comfortable serving coffee. He was not born to a rich family and has worked very hard. He is more of a real American than anyone else (besides Obama) running.

I just finished his book and it confirmed my suspicions. Biden is more qualified than any of the candidates on either side. He is the only one who can unite this country. He can get the independent and republican votes.

I have found my candidate. Let's hope the Democrats nominate him. He would cream Guliani (and any other republican) in the debates and the election.

Wouldn't a Biden/Obama ticket just be the bee's knees?

Patrick, Cape May NJ   November 22nd, 2007 11:31 pm ET

Already voting Biden for his experience. Good to know he spent his Thanksgiving on the campaign, shows his personality off with his intelligence.

Robert Stevens - Oklahoma City, OK   November 22nd, 2007 11:18 pm ET

The more my wife and I listen to him, the more we feel that he deserves the nomination. Also, has anyone else noticed how many times another candidate says "I agree with Joe" at the debates?

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   November 22nd, 2007 11:07 pm ET

Okay, this guy is like SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO burned out. Time to adjust your meds Joe!

Joe rules   November 22nd, 2007 10:46 pm ET

Joe rules.

Moe, NY   November 22nd, 2007 10:34 pm ET

Cute Biden...now...try living on those wages. SICK!

AT, new york, ny   November 22nd, 2007 10:25 pm ET

It is unfortunate that he doesnt do well in polls, but he should make a good VP.

PROVIDENCE, RI   November 22nd, 2007 10:10 pm ET

Biden? He stole speech from British in 1988, and lost the primary. He wants to divide Iraq into three parts-Iraq is already divided. You must be insane! Wes Clark served coffee and donuts at Dunkin Donut drive through window in 2004 primary, but it did not help. Playing as a waiter for a day is different than being a waiter for rest of his/her life. It is a pure act...

Kevin, San Francisco, CA   November 22nd, 2007 9:25 pm ET

Joe Biden should be president. All us democrats know it, so stop rooting for the top 3 media hogs and do the right thing. JOE IS RIGHT.

MJ Ft. Campbell, KY   November 22nd, 2007 9:12 pm ET

God Bless Joe Biden, and God bless my hubby in Iraq tonight.

Manish Bidasaria, Chicago, IL   November 22nd, 2007 9:09 pm ET

Senator Biden has more 10x more intelligence and integrity than anyone running for president. Just look at the last debate when the Democrats were asked about racial profiling and the Patriot Act. While they all denounced racial profiling, Senator Biden was the only one who had the sense to stick to the truth:

"You know – facts are a funny thing, they get in the way. Nothing in PATRIOT ACT allows profiling–you’re profiled illegally."

Several Democrats had the opportunity to point this out before Biden, but instead opted to criticize the Patriot Act, which was completely irrelevant to the question. So clearly, they are either extremely dishonest or just plain uninformed.

This is just one small point, but if you sift through his debates/speeches, you will find hundreds of examples like this. No double-speak, misleading, distortion, contradictions, lying.

Why is this guy getting only ONE percent? What am I missing?

Mikey T   November 22nd, 2007 9:04 pm ET

He both shows knowledge of the issue and doesn't view himself as too good to pour coffee at a diner. Is there any wonder why he's my pick? :)

Nabil Abou-Harb, Athens GA   November 22nd, 2007 8:59 pm ET

God bless Joe Biden.

If America was smarter... Joe would be leading in the polls.

Roger, Aurora Illinois   November 22nd, 2007 8:22 pm ET

Well, he's certainly not afraid to work for it. That's respectable, but I hope his family doesn't mind.

frmad   November 22nd, 2007 8:10 pm ET

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