Update: A commenter on Reddit.com was kind enough to produce the following transcript. A heartfelt “thank you” to commenter simonsarris. — Leanne
First the reporter asks him what he thought of Barton’s comments. He says he really shouldn’t say anything, the other reporters sorta egg him on and he finally agrees to say something.
What follows are Joe Biden’s words with a few errors. I put a bit of emphasis on some, but he was pretty emotional throughout. His characteristic saying of “Look,” shows up even when he is paraphrasing the president
Look, look. Umm, (smile) Thank God my mother isn’t around. [This was a response to a reporter asking "How big a deal was it?" --L.] Look guys I find it incredibly insensitive and incredibly out of touch. The reason why I got involved in politics; the reason why the president and I ran, the reason why the president got involved, is: The one primary role for government is to protect people who are being taken advantage of, protect people who are in extreme straights and are not able to take care of situations themselves. I have been down in the Bayou area off and on for the last 36 years. My daughter went down to Tulane, I think I know the area relatively well as an outsider.
There is an entire way of life in jeopardy. This is just not about jobs. This is just not about whether or not the water fowl is polluted, this is an entire way of life that is in jeopardy! And to sit there and say that we’re being in effect – as I understood the statement – that he was ashamed we’re being tough on the oil company that caused the problem…
I, I, I, look… I just think that it’s pretty important to the people of Louisana all the way to Florida and even his own state of Texas that people disassociate themselves from that. That’s not the role. THere’s no shakedown. It’s insisting on responsible conduct and a responsible response to something THEY caused. And I find it outrageous to suggest, that in fact, we insist that BP demonstrate their preparedness to put aside billions of dollars – in this case 20 billion – to take care of the immediate needs of people who are drowning.
These people don’t have deep pockets, the guy who runs the local marina, the guy who has one shrimping boat, the guy who has one small business. He can’t afford to lose, 10, 12, 15, 30 thousand dollars a month. And so the thing the president did – and I was so proud of him – is when we had the meeting with BP – and they were co-operative in the meeting – he said “Look what I want you to do is take care of those people NOW, who if they don’t get help NOW, they’re going to be under. Gone. Gone.”
And I might add this fund is not a ceiling. And people can go back to it as many times as they can prove they have been damaged and they need help. and the cleanup costs are all BP’s costs separate, apart and above these 20 billion dollars. What is wrong with that? How is that a shakedown?
I mean I just… I, I don’t know, I find it pretty astounding a comment… (fade to black)
ohh that was good, I have a soft spot for the Vice President he has a talent for communicating his emotion in such a plainspoken manner. I think he and the President compliment each other perfectly.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
104 
4
PS, thanks for posting this Elise I would have missed it.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
24 
2
They really do. And this video is an excellent example of why I love Joe Biden.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
31 
3
I heart him too Leanne. I truly believe he’s a good guy.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
23 
3
Hey Pardner – 53 agrees!!! I am thrilled to see so many people participate on BWN, even if they are not all commenting (yet
)
Agree or Disagree:
4 
0
OMG gc, well it is nice to see so many people participating, I even enjoyed the disagrees
Agree or Disagree:
3 
0
Obama knew what he was doing when he picked him. But I remember some mouthy bloggers elsewhere demanding Joe be replaced. Right, that would have resulted in an upswing in faith and confidence in the POTUS. Dr Biden is terrific as well, and personally, I love that she is a teacher
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
20 
2
I like that about Dr. Biden too gc and I also think it’s great that she works at a community college. My kids are attending state universities now but they all got their start at our community college. I read the demands that Joe be replaced, shook my head and muttered a few choice words.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
14 
0
And that is why I love Joe Biden.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
16 
0
Yes!! As I was watching this I was reminded of volunteering for Obama during the Iowa primary for those few days I could get out to help…and everyone there talked about their favorite choices. Biden was talked about all the time as a possible VP candidate.
Agree or Disagree:
6 
0
I was SO happy when he was announced as the running mate. And as it’s turned out, what a great team he and Obama have made.
Agree or Disagree:
6 
0
I agree. My shorter version of Joe:
Hearting Joe along with the rest of ‘ya!
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
11 
0
Hi earicle – See? We DOP have a most excellent place to meet…gc (alias AnotherCt Dem)
Agree or Disagree:
3 
0
Yay!
Agree or Disagree:
1 
0
Thank you Joe Biden. Brilliantly human and humane, you are wonderful. If only we had politicians who had the integrity to be honest instead of thinking where their next campaign contribution and vote is coming from. I look forward to 6 more years of Obama/Biden and 6 more years of working to help our country and the world take a good look at itself and do the right thing wherever possible.
Agree or Disagree:
6 
0
Welcome, Barbara! I look forward to the same things.
Agree or Disagree:
4 
0
Hi Barbara – Let me echo your post, and welcome you to this blog!
Agree or Disagree:
4 
0
Thank you Leanne and gc, you may (or may not) believe it but this is my first “blog” experience. Just an old hippie woman who loves email and her mac, but that’s as far as it goes. Cell phones and beyond are just that–’beyond’ for me. Glad to see others and younger generations are so active and thinking about what’s next for our beautiful world in such a positive way. Fun, isn’t it? I will stay in touch and who knows–may even make another comment sometime!
Agree or Disagree:
3 
0
Hey Barbara! Thanks for commenting! I can’t echo your comment enough
I really love this Biden video. I keep coming back to watch it again and again.
Agree or Disagree:
0 
0
Nice to meet you, Barbara (my sister’s name
) Since you are a “noob” I am so glad you found your way to BWN. There are many political blogs out there, but the discourse on some of the others gets fairly noxious. Actually, that is one of the reasons BWN came into existence.
I’m of the “hippie” generation, but was not exactly one. Of course I was not exactly NOT one, LOL. Some day, I’ll work it out
Mainly, I try to take it life bit by life bit (very Zen).
I sure hope you become a regular commenter! G
Agree or Disagree:
1 
0