Democrats raise money off of Biden's F-bomb
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/31/art.ofa.shirt.jpg caption="Organizing for America is using this T-shirt to raise funds."](CNN) - President Obama's political organization agrees with Vice President Joe Biden: "Health Reform is a BFD."
While using the four-letter word could land an elementary school kid in detention, Organizing for America is embracing it with the hope of raising some cash.
OFA, the president's political arm housed at the Democratic National Committee, is using Biden's now infamous phrase on a T-shirt to commemorate the signing of health care reform into law.
Donors who give at least $25 will receive "a limited edition 'Health Reform is a BFD' T-shirt in a super-soft, fine jersey (men's) or baby rib (women's) cotton fabric," according to a new fundraising page posted Wednesday on OFA's Web site.
A jubilant Biden made the remark after he finished introducing Obama before the president signed the landmark legislation last week. As he was stepping away from the podium, the vice president leaned in to Obama and said, "This is a big f***king deal."
A microphone picked up the vice president's comments. A short time later, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs wrote on his Twitter account: "And yes Mr. Vice President, you're right ... "
Now, OFA is comparing the signing of the health care reform legislation into law to other momentous occasions.
"There are things that are a big deal - birthdays, anniversaries, the NCAA Championship game," OFA wrote in a fundraising note. "And then there are things that are a BFD, like delivering health insurance to 32 million Americans."
Brad Woodhouse, a DNC spokesman, told CNN he thinks it is important for Democrats to highlight the importance of health care reform.
"Health reform is a huge and historic deal that will benefit American families and small businesses," Woodhouse said. "We and our supporters agree with the Vice President – health reform is a big bleeping deal."
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As a strong Democrat, I do believe the party can raise money many other ways than these three letters. I will wish they discontinue this method of fund raising. Cashing in on profanity is a little odd and makes me feel uncomfortable. It sends the wrong message to teenagers, that this is a good way to talk.
Nice. I want one. Health reform really is a BFD, in the best way!
It's refreshing to see some plain-folks honesty around the VP's remark, and a sane recognition that his comment had a wholly positive intent - which with language use, is really the only thing that matters.
"The F word" (I use that phrase only because apparently CNN feels they cannot print the word, for goodness' sake) is among the oldest words in the English language. I don't know a single person (good-hearted or otherwise) who does NOT use the word, and every corporate senior executive I've ever known uses the word regularly at work. It's awfully silly that most people tell their kids it's a "bad" word; and it's especially wrong that (as CNN points out) our schools even put them in detention for using it - that's simple hypocrisy.
How sad to see our country slide so far down into the gutter, How many of you can talk with out cursing?
need any more proof that juveniles are in charge?
I know they are mentality disabled and making fun of libs is wrong, but these Obama-bot drone libs went into seizures, foaming at the mouth, shaking, Etc and incoherently spewed their misguided pre-programmed hatred when Cheney said the F word. Now Biden says it and he is like the greatest thing ever and a role model for their lib children. I know, libs teach their children curse words at 3 so it really isn’t much of a big deal. It is beyond pathetic but their hypocrasy is almost as funny as when they spew their lies and think people believe them.
Disgusting. Oh and a school kid could get in trouble for wearing this stupid shirt but it's OK to raise cash for the dems. No class!
I'm not looking forward to explaining that to my kids when they spot such a shirt at, say, the zoo. Stay classy, Democrats.
YOU MIGHT THINK OF DOING THE CHARITABLE THING this fall and donate it to one of your needy congressman because they're going to lose the shirt off their back come election day. RIP DIMRATS 2010.
I would have bought the shirt if they spelled out the F word in big bold letters. 🙂
Wheres my T-Shirt!
Those democrats are so classy........
Since when is it okay to say swear? Very unprofessional!
Now this is truly American ingenuity in action. And proof the country (0r at least the Democrats) still have a sense of humor. Count me in for an XL.
Ha! I want one! If someone is going to benefit from this, it might as well be the DNC itself instead of tshirthell or some Cafe Press storefront looking for a quick buck.
HR is a "BFD"! That's the reaction that most Americans–both supporters and opponents–have! So let's not be puritanical and/or hypocritical in condemning what VP Biden said, as I'm sure that the same phrase was uttered, screamed, cheered, yelled and/or, at least, thought of by most of the U.S. populace as passage of comprehensive HR was a truly historic and monumental achievement in American history! I do not necessarily believe it was appropriate for VP Biden to have said the phrase while speaking to President Obama at the podium, let's not forget that we have "freedom of speech" in this country! In the future, I would say that a little more discretion and decorum should be utilized and such an expression is better suited for more informal conversation behind closed doors! Hopefully, I’ll be able to make a donation in order to claim my limited edition T-shirt to wear proudly. 🙂
Biden sure knows how to choose his words. "BFD" stands for the 3 famous words he used to "Christen" that Health Care Bill. How fitting!
All right!!! I want one !!!!
OMG! I'm going to get two; one for me and one for my partner.
Oh Comeon!!
Why did the OFA,DNC have to do this boneheaded thing & embrace the F comment. It was an unfortunate mistake & trying to raise money using it is a Stupid, braindead decision & they are only shooting themselves in the foot. Idiots!!
It's pretty sad when people and the press find crude language funny and acceptable and then find a way to make money off of it. I came from a period in time when the highest leaders of our country were to be respected and looked up to and someone who our childred would want to emulate. Now they are embarrassing to our country and you don't want your children to listen to them because you never know what will come out of their mouth. If my child said that word in school he would be expelled. How can we expel Joe "loose lips" Biden?
How can health care be a right when it involves taking from a productive responsible member of society and giving to another? I feel the most simple solution to reform the system would have just been eliminate the managed care act and provide a tax credit to all Americans. The rising cost of insurance is only a symptom. To cure the disease we need to put the individual back in charge of their own health. It is impossible to cover everyone and maintain quality care. Unfortunate but true.
Biden using an expletive is NOT a BFD.
We really have something to be proud of now don't we? Trailer trash for a Vice President.We should be so proud.
To DEMS: you know your on the right side when your side is the one with a sense of humor.
PS: Never forgot the power of an established base of supporters that can be called on from one election to the next. Its how Bush Jr got elected (incredibly) the second time. Organizing for America is ingenious!
This news makes me sick.