GUEST BLOGGER CAROLYN QUINN--My Joe Biden
Our favorite guest blogger Carolyn covered Barack Obama’s Springfield announcement in February 2007, Now she has sent along her very personal message to Senator Joe Biden welcoming him to the Democratic ticket. You can send a message of your own. Just go to http://my.barackobama.com/welcomejoe
Dear Senator Biden-
I saw Senator Biden for the first time in Chicago, July 15th of '07. I only saw him because I wanted to hear Barack Obama speak again. But it was Joe Biden that day who was fabulous on the stage. It was Joe Biden who afterward shook my hand and asked me my name. It was Joe Biden who sat down next to me and shared his amusement in the moment. He introduced his two sons to me, and his wife Jill. He signed my hat and dated it, which is why I know the day I first saw Senator Biden in person. He is one dynamic and personable human being. On top of that, some months later, he had the best (by far) tailgate party at Soldiers' Field at the AFL-CIO debates. But all that stuff is just the frosting.
Like Senator Obama, Joe Biden is an expert on Constitutional Law. At this time in history, our Constitution needs a champion like never before.
Ever.
The president and the vice president swear above all, and before the world, to Defend and Protect the Constitution of the United States of America. The talk I hear surrounding a laundry list of why Bush/Cheney should be impeached, is talk concerned with the rule of law. But it does not address the item which seems to me to be the truest - and also the best reason to show Senator McCain the exit sign before he ever enters the White House. President Bush did not defend our constitution: he consistently skirted our constitution, defied our constitution and demeaned our constitution. Breach of contract, pure and simple. And Senator McCain promises to do the same.
We cannot allow it.
Today we have Senators Obama AND Biden standing together on the steps of the Old State Capitol in my home state, which of course calls Abe Lincoln to mind. President Lincoln defended the Union when it was under fire from within, and it was a tremendous personal struggle. President Obama must defend our Constitution which is now under fire from within. While we are not looking at civil war over it, we are looking at some severe civil strife. This, too, will be a tremendous struggle. Senator Joe Biden is the best possible person to be his partner-champion in this struggle.
They say Barack Obama brings us hope, a phenomenon. I see it differently. He brings us inspiration to act, to volunteer, to participate.
The volunteer armies of regular Americans who are doing all that footwork are the phenomenon that brings us hope. Barack gave us the inspiration and encouragement to live hope, enact hope, be hope.
My welcome message to Senator Joe Biden: I could not be more thrilled, knowing you are on our ticket, and it IS "our" ticket. You are part of the inspiration. And you are part of the work to enact hope. You are a most welcome member of the team.
You are a champion.
Carolyn Quinn