(CNN) – Frustration with the economy led to an incarcerated man winning 40% of votes in the West Virginia Democratic primary earlier this month, Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday.
In an interview with WTOV, Biden said he doesn't "blame people, they're frustrated, they're angry."
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"When you're out of work, man, it's a depression," Biden told the CNN Ohio affiliate. "And a lot of people are still hurt because of this Godawful recession we inherited that cost 8.4 million jobs before we could really get going."
The vice president was speaking in Martins Ferry, Ohio, on Thursday, touting the improving auto industry and relating his own middle-class background to experience of many in this battleground state.
But while voters may be frustrated now, Biden said he believes voters will decide he and President Barack Obama are better suited for the White House than GOP candidate Mitt Romney.
"They're going to decide, is the way back to their employment, is the way back to them being able to have a job and raise a family - is it under the values set and the ideas of Romney, or is it under ours?" he said. "And we feel confident we'll do just fine."
Keith Judd, inmate #11593-051, is serving a 210-month sentence in a Texas jail for extortion. He met all the parameters for getting on the West Virginia ballot and received 73, 138 votes to Obama's 106,770 in the primary held on May 8.
Also see:
Romney to start airing first general election campaign ad Friday
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It is hard to blame uninformed voters for their view of what a president should be. Republicans and other criminals are becoming quite popular with Fox viewers, and they think we need another republican crook who has little concern for our country. Romney / Judd 2017.
Judd, like Romney, need to be properly vetted.
So Biden further insults the WV voters by not acknowledging they were angry and frustrated at the Obama administration for trying to take away their jobs and future. He's trying to use them and their vote to SPIN it into something about the general economy, which many others are also frustrated and angry about, but WV was quite different. Maybe Crazy Joe really needs to get his head examined.
Wrong answer, Joe. The incarcerated man won because he is the lesser of the evils.
It seems that some democrats in WVa like the idea of a Manchin type democratic clone serving a tour in prison,. Their anger seems to be searching for a white candidate.
Well he only got 40%................couldn't ever serve because of his record sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, really WHO CARES!
Biden could be right and I know they want to win WVa, but I'd go with the many bigots in WVa were feeling proud on that day. I've been to WVa many times and many of the people are prideful of being bigots and backward, not all, but many. Like many of the southern states seem to be.
So what does this tell us about how not satisfied people are with Obama. Seriously, if you feel your only hope is to vote for a man in jail that doesn't say much for the Democratic Party. I don't think these people agree with Biden that he and Obama is their way back to "employment, being able to have a job and raise a family.
Way to go, Joe. Another spin of the old "Blame Bush" wheel. When is this administration EVER going to take responsibility for anything it has done. I heard Obama sold on E-Bay the "The Buck Stops Here" plaque that came with his office. Bought a new one that says "It's Bush's Fault". These guys are a joke.
Hey, remember Alvin Greene the Democratic nominee almost won in South Carolina for US Senator?
Have any of you met people from WV? They are prejudiced and ignorant and a lot of them can't even read. Heck, Judd may be related to a lot of them.
Romney needs to get to WV ASAP and tell the people of that state that his administartion will NOT allow the EPA to destroy their livelihood. Add THAT to the First Day list!
This will ensure that WV cans Manchin as well. Do it Romney!!
They hate black people. I know. I have relatives that moved there and they wear their bigotry and hate like a badge. They are proud to be ignorant and hate educated people.
"Have the "Birthers" ever apologized, the answer is NO."
Actually, funny you shoul dmention that. See, the Republican Sec. of State in AZ is pandering to the birthers (he wants to run for governor when Brewer is done) and threatening to take Obama's name off the ballot if Hawaii won't provide proof to his liking that Obama was actually born there.
If you needed proof that AZ is indeed "in play" and a potential "swing state" this year, look no further.
Anonymous - Have any of you met people from WV? They are prejudiced and ignorant and a lot of them can't even read. Heck, Judd may be related to a lot of them.
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So why is Biden courting them?
My question is: WHO GAVE HIM THE MONEY TO GET ON THE BALLOT? Probably the same person that gave Alvin Green the money a couple of years ago in SC.
"Hey, remember Alvin Greene the Democratic nominee almost won in South Carolina for US Senator?"
In an OPEN PRIMARY that allows GOPers to show up at the polls and vote to determine the Dem nominee.
In fact, WV has a SEMI-CLOSED primary system. That means that people can flip flop their party registration all the way up to the day they go to the polls. Unaffiliated people can also vote during the primary (unlike in states that only allow registered party members to vote in the party primary). Real journalists would check to see if there's any evidence of a mass re-registration involved here.
Yes, Democrats lookin' REAL GOOD in West Virginia!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!! We'll just put this one in the Romney column right now... along with North Carolina.
In WV they are racist, ignorant meth heads and used to handouts from the federal government.
Please. You're now entering West Virgina, set your watches back 160 years.
the whole thing smells...
Country going bad? What party has been in control the most over the last SIX YEARS??!!!
Whitehouse Senate House
2007 Republicans Democrats Democrats
2008 Republicans Democrats Democrats
2009 Democrats Democrats Democrats
2010 Democrats Democrats Democrats
2011 Democrats Democrats Republicans
2012 Democrats Democrats Republicans
D = 4 R=2 D = 6 R = 0 D = 4 R = 2
D = 14 R = 4
Biden is right. This is how people are when they are unemployed and angry!
I heard the true leader of the republican party, Rush Limbaugh, call a person who renounced his American Citizenship to avoid taxes a true patriot. Al Qaida and the Taliban need to take note of, and marvel at the republican party terrorism on our country.