December 2, 2007
Posted: December 2nd, 2007 07:52 AM ET

Biden hit the road when his flight to Des Moines was cancelled Saturday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden arrived almost an hour late Saturday night to the Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum.

"It’s a seven hour ride from Chicago," the Delaware senator said after filling the one empty chair on stage. "I apologize."

He then took a subtle jab at his opponents with bigger campaign war chests, adding, "And I don’t have a plane."

According to a Biden spokeswoman, the Delaware senator's flight from Chicago to Des Moines earlier in the day was cancelled, so he then decided to drive the roughly 300 miles.

But, according to that same staffer, the conditions "were getting bad" after about 175 miles into the trip. The spokeswoman said they were then "able to get him on a small plane."

The ice storm that's taken over much of the state for the majority of the day also forced Sen. Hillary Clinton to speak to a Des Moines crowd of community organizations by telephone, and it caused former president Bill Clinton—who was scheduled to stump for the senator—to can cancel his trip completely.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also cancelled his events for the day.

-CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • Iowa • Joe Biden • Mitt Romney


Willy, Chesapeake, VA   December 4th, 2007 2:26 pm ET

After Iowa, all the parasites like Joe Biden will be gone, back to that liberal rat nest called New England

DB, NY, NY   December 4th, 2007 9:29 am ET

As I read the first few posts I though, "Those of you critical of JB are clearly not very bright. Biden is by far our smartest voice. To the rest of the bloggers, I am originally from Maryland and would like to apologize for these uninformed comments. Maybe they prefer HC and all of her republican money." Then I read the more recent posts – Thank God there are still some thoughtful voters out there. BIDEN 08!!!! ps. someone get JB to go after J. Tester and J. Webb for endorsements.

Virginia   December 3rd, 2007 9:34 am ET

Joe in Newark: You read? You must not have read enough, it was not a deliberate attempt to plagerise,and if you read very much, you would and I suspect you do know that. If you do not prefer Biden, fine, but don't
try to stir 20 year old done with crapfor your reason.
Oh, and do continue to benefit from Joe's representation of our great stateand country.

Fred. Denver   December 3rd, 2007 9:25 am ET

Obama has a private Jet also...

Fred.   December 3rd, 2007 9:23 am ET

Weather is a problem when you don't have a private Jet to campaign in. this goes to show who the peoples choice should be. someone who jets in for the occasion or someone who road-trips hell or frozen weather to get there. Joe Biden for President!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jilpix0_6P8

JB Boston MA   December 3rd, 2007 8:41 am ET

Here's the truth:

Biden is the only one with experience, knowledge and class to be able to deal with what is going on today. On either side R or D, and yet he is polling so low.

I believe because people like to be on the side of winners. Even though people know he is most qualified they won't back him because his numbers are so low. Linda like Hillary's claims to inevitability. She picked up votes just because people like to be with the "winners".

GET SOME CAJONES AND VOTE FOR THE BEST CANDIDATE. NOT WHO EVERYONE ELSE IS VOTING FOR!

Denis, NJ   December 3rd, 2007 12:15 am ET

Joe deserves respect. He's a good man.

The British speech is ancient history. And if we dig into the facts, Biden credited the British speech all but one time, and the Dukakis campaign took advantage of that one slip-up to destroy his candidacy. It was reported that Joe did cite the original speech source accordingly at every other occasion prior to the slip-up. Who doesn't make mistakes? Other candidates have way more serious skeletons in their closets.

I wish more people would see study Joe's platform and recognize the decent, hard-working man that he is.

Cynthia, Honolulu, HI   December 2nd, 2007 10:28 pm ET

Excuse me, but Senator Biden has been nothing but respectful and positive towards all of his running mates. He has taken their "job offers" with grace and humor and to say that he can't make one of his own to another candidate is absurd. Even Hillary was able to take hits on her campaign by the other Democratic candidates without playing the "sexism card". In the context (and many of the blogs/news reports are quite out of context) of the discussion, Obama ought to be able to handle the barb without pulling the "race card". Taking verbal attacks and handling them with intelligent, and witty comebacks is by far a more appealing and powerful position than acting like a victim (i.e., playing the race card). So if Obama allows the media to make this situation a racial issue - he will definitly lose my vote. I would want someone much more sure of himself - like Joe Biden!

charlie, Mel,Australia   December 2nd, 2007 8:47 pm ET

You people are so pathetic! Your criticism of Joe Biden shows your ignorance. Probably none of you read the news yesterday!

Joe biden have serve this country for over 30 years now, he has INTEGRITY! In fact among all the democratic candidates, Joe is the MOST qualified of them all.

Quit berating Joe and force us to take Obama, we're not that naive. A lot of us rational thinking people are not into rockstar image of any candidate. Take Obama to MTV, let him do the rap there like the speech he always give; full of rhetoric, but LACKING in SUBSTANCE!

Posted By Les WA : December 2, 2007 1:40 pm

Introduce your son to Joe Biden and he will show him how to steal speaches from Britain. A mastermind, right?

Nameless,boston,ma   December 2nd, 2007 8:44 pm ET

Obama has never problems being in time at events where he is offered to give speeches .. He has problem showing in time at Senate votes, remember? So, tell me where from the votes are coming and he will show up!

Posted By Leo, VA : December 2, 2007 1:48 am
Yes he has. He was a community organizer and he was late to go to coperate law and earn six figures. He does his job as a senator. Now he has to be busy campaigning so you may see all what he is doing right now is telling what is going to do the next level. Or what do you expect?

joe,Newark,DE   December 2nd, 2007 8:41 pm ET

As I read these ridiculous posts above, I can't help to be reminded of how classless this society has become. What's up with the name calling and the mean spirited attacks? This man has given thirty five years of his life to serve Delaware, our nation, and people around the globe. Have a little class and decorum. Senator Biden is one of the brightest minds we have. An expert in foreign policy and has authored legislation like The Violence Against Women Act and The Biden Crime Bill. Please people, stop acting like children. If you've ever been in the same room with Joe Biden and had the pleasure of speaking with him, you wouldn't be so harsh with your words. He's a wonderful man. Smart, compassionate, honest and full of integrity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

Posted By JDS NY, NY : December 2, 2007 10:16 am

He lost class and integrity with me when I read how he stole British speech. For you to tell me how much he has given his life to public , that is his carreer and I have mine too. I get paid as he does, so give me a break also!

Ralph,Nash,T.N.   December 2nd, 2007 5:25 pm ET

Its the "HATERS" club.Just shows some people are classless.I met Joe Biden and he is a very nice man and would make a fine president.He is the one I will vote for.So the rest can vote for clinton(unelectable).Or obama (unelectable).And give the whitehouse back to the republicans in 08.STUPID is as stupid votes!

stan pitts pa   December 2nd, 2007 2:55 pm ET

i have no doubt that biden is an honourable, experienced man, however he does seem to be very pompous and full of himself, not a very good trait at this time in our history!

MEG   December 2nd, 2007 2:40 pm ET

How was Obama able to get there from New Hampshire? His Private Jet. The commercial airlines determine if a flight will take off or not, not one's private pilot.

Les WA   December 2nd, 2007 1:40 pm ET

You people are so pathetic! Your criticism of Joe Biden shows your ignorance. Probably none of you read the news yesterday!

Joe biden have serve this country for over 30 years now, he has INTEGRITY! In fact among all the democratic candidates, Joe is the MOST qualified of them all.

Quit berating Joe and force us to take Obama, we're not that naive. A lot of us rational thinking people are not into rockstar image of any candidate. Take Obama to MTV, let him do the rap there like the speech he always give; full of rhetoric, but LACKING in SUBSTANCE!

Mo McGee, Pacific Palisades CA   December 2nd, 2007 12:21 pm ET

Save your ire for the Republican candidates, please. They were all invited and chose not to attend. Are they not interested in the votes of minorities or are they afraid of the questions they would be asked? An American President serves all Americans, not just the angry white guys. The Republicans should be ashamed.

JDS NY, NY   December 2nd, 2007 10:16 am ET

As I read these ridiculous posts above, I can't help to be reminded of how classless this society has become. What's up with the name calling and the mean spirited attacks? This man has given thirty five years of his life to serve Delaware, our nation, and people around the globe. Have a little class and decorum. Senator Biden is one of the brightest minds we have. An expert in foreign policy and has authored legislation like The Violence Against Women Act and The Biden Crime Bill. Please people, stop acting like children. If you've ever been in the same room with Joe Biden and had the pleasure of speaking with him, you wouldn't be so harsh with your words. He's a wonderful man. Smart, compassionate, honest and full of integrity.

Erin13   December 2nd, 2007 8:58 am ET

To respond to the comment made by "nameless in Boston: –

Sen.Biden had to drive to the Forum from Chicago when his commercial flight was cancelled.

The "top tier" millionaire candidates, Senators Obama, Clinton and Edwards, hopped in their private jets to get there....you know, so they could discuss POVERTY with the Forum audience...

Nando, Palm Coast,FL   December 2nd, 2007 8:43 am ET

He should have just kept going to Mexico!!!!!!!!!!!

mark wilkes barre pa   December 2nd, 2007 7:55 am ET

well ,, using bidens logic based on his explination for being late, I guess he won the day just by showing up? Your goofy JOE

Tim   December 2nd, 2007 7:51 am ET

Some country, if you're running for office, you have to almost kill yourself to prove you're name racist and then beg for forvieness. No wonder they are resentful when they get in office and act like loons.

namesless2, sunnyvale, ca   December 2nd, 2007 7:07 am ET

Give Joe a break folks. He's the only one who makes sense. I am surprised he's not a strong contender.

Leo, VA   December 2nd, 2007 1:48 am ET

"My question is, how did Obama get there from Newhempshire. Give me a break!
Posted By nameless,boston,ma : December 1, 2007 10:50 pm"

Obama has never problems being in time at events where he is offered to give speeches .. He has problem showing in time at Senate votes, remember? So, tell me where from the votes are coming and he will show up!

Brian, Chicago, IL   December 2nd, 2007 1:03 am ET

I like how those of you posting negative comments are located in Boston, Maryland, and Virginia. Here in Chicago today, you might understand the severity of the weather. Also, he may have been late because he was talking at a DNC meeting in Virginia in the middle of the afternoon. Campaigning for president is time consuming and travel depends alot on factors many candidates cannot control. Especially if they use commercial transportation instead of charter jets.

WIlly, Chesapeaje, VA   December 2nd, 2007 12:18 am ET

who cares Joe you old burnt out Hippie. After Iowa you're done.

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 1st, 2007 11:49 pm ET

Hey Joe, did that kind of excuse work in the senate? Because if I get to work late, my boss doesn't want me to come back to work anymore, considering that I didn't plan the trip, didn't make sure I left in time, nor did I check the Weather Channel before starting my journey.

Is this the kind of President you would make? Someone who makes excuses for his tardiness and disrespectful attitude towards the people who you hope will elect you?

You not only come late to the show, but you lie about driving the 300 miles. You were driven 175 miles, then you flew the rest of the way. What a joke you are Joe.

George,springfield, md   December 1st, 2007 10:53 pm ET

hahahaha. Seems true right? just like the weapons of mass destructions!

nameless,boston,ma   December 1st, 2007 10:50 pm ET

My question is, how did Obama get there from Newhempshire. Give me a break!

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