Joe Biden 2008 presidential campaign: Difference between revisions

  | candidate        = '''[[Joe Biden]]'''<br />[[United States Senate|U. S. Senator]] from [[Delaware]]<br />(1973–2009)

  | status          = Suspended; became running mate on August 23, 2008

  | announced       = January 7, 2007

  | launched         = January 31, 2007

  | suspended       = January 3, 2008

  | key_people      = Luis Navarro (Manager)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/01/navarro_named_b.html |title=Navarro Named Biden's Campaign Manager |work=[[National Journal]] |date=January 10, 2007 |access-date=November 2, 2008 |archive-date=October 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026183130/http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/01/navarro_named_b.html |url-status=live}}</ref><br />Mark Paustenbach (Press Secretary)<ref name="gwu-staff">{{cite web |url=http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/biden/bidenorg.html |title=Key People-Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) |date=April 9, 2008 |publisher=Democracy in Action |access-date=November 2, 2008 |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919203258/https://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/biden/bidenorg.html |url-status=live}}</ref><br /> [[Valerie Biden Owens]] (National chair)<ref name="gwu-staff" /><br />[[Ted Kaufman]] (top advisor)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/24/AR2008112403055_pf.html |title=Former Aide to Take Biden's Senate Seat |author=Murray, Shailagh |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 25, 2008 |access-date=November 25, 2008 |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118142414/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/24/AR2008112403055_pf.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

  | homepage        = [https://web.archive.org/web/20070711190819/http://www.joebiden.com/home www.joebiden.com]<br />(archived)

[[Joe Biden]], a longtime [[United States Senate|U.S. senator]] from [[Delaware]], began his 2008 presidential campaign when he announced his candidacy for [[President of the United States]] on the January 7, 2007, edition of ''[[Meet the Press]]''. He officially became a candidate on January 31, 2007, after filing papers with the [[Federal Election Commission]].

During the campaign, Biden focused on his plan to achieve political success in the [[Iraq War]] through a system of federalization. He touted his record in the Senate as the head of several committees and experience in foreign policy. Despite a few notable endorsements, Biden failed to garner significant support in opinion polls, and was marred by controversial comments made while campaigning. He ultimately dropped out of the [[2008 United States presidential election|race]] on January 3, 2008, after coming in fifth place and capturing less than 1% of the vote in the [[Iowa caucus]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/us/politics/04dodd.html |title=Iowa Results Lead Dodd and Biden to Quit Race |last=Cooper |first=Michael |date=January 4, 2008 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=December 13, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117044851/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/us/politics/04dodd.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Seven months after the conclusion of his campaign, Biden was selected to be [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] presidential nominee [[Barack Obama]]'s vice presidential [[running mate]]. The pair won in the general election, and [[First inauguration of Barack Obama|were sworn in on January 20, 2009]], causing Biden to leave the Senate after 36 years. Years later, in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 election]], Biden would go on to become the Democratic presidential nominee, defeating Obama's successor, the 45th president and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee [[Donald Trump]], becoming the 46th president of the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden defeats Trump for White House, says 'time to heal' |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9 |access-date=November 10, 2020 |agency=AP |date=November 7, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117190428/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Biden and Harris inauguration live: Joe Biden becomes the 46th US president|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-55730500|access-date=January 20, 2021|publisher=BBC News|language=en-gb}}</ref>

Biden had run for president once before, but his [[Joe Biden presidential campaign, 1988|1988 presidential campaign]] had lasted for only three and a half months.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/10/us/biden-joins-campaign-for-the-presidency.html |title=Biden Joins Campaign for the Presidency |author=E. J. Dionne |newspaper=nytimes.com |date=June 10, 1987 |author-link=E. J. Dionne |access-date=February 9, 2017 |archive-date=November 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105150453/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/10/us/biden-joins-campaign-for-the-presidency.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dionne1988">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/24/us/biden-withdraws-bid-for-president-in-wake-of-furor.html |title=BIDEN WITHDRAWS BID FOR PRESIDENT IN WAKE OF FUROR |author=E. J. Dionne |newspaper=New York Times |date=September 24, 1987 |author-link=E. J. Dionne |access-date=February 9, 2017 |archive-date=December 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221235355/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/24/us/biden-withdraws-bid-for-president-in-wake-of-furor.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He had been forced to withdraw due to controversies arising over plagiarizing other politicians' speeches without credit, and falsely recollecting parts of his academic record.<ref name="Dionne1988" />

Biden first mentioned his intentions to run for president for 2008 on the [[Don Imus]] radio show on December 8, 2004.<ref>{{cite news |title=Candidate: Joe Biden (D) |url=http://www.elections08.us/candidate.cfm?iTopID=9725 |publisher=US Elections 2008 |access-date=February 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229151153/http://www.elections08.us/candidate.cfm?iTopID=9725 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 29, 2008}}</ref> In the edition of January 23, 2006, of ''[[The News Journal]]'', Delaware's largest daily newspaper, columnist Harry F. Themal reported that Biden "occupies the sensible center of the Democratic Party." Themal concludes that this is the position Biden desires, and that in a campaign "he plans to stress the dangers to the security of the average American, not just from the terrorist threat, but from the lack of health assistance, crime, and energy dependence on unstable parts of the world."<ref name="themal">{{cite news |title=Biden says he's on track for 2008 run |author=Themal, Harry F. |newspaper=[[The News Journal]] |date=January 23, 2006}}</ref>

Biden declared his candidacy for president on January 31, 2007, although he had discussed running for months prior.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Balz |title=Biden Stumbles at the Starting Gate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/31/AR2007013100404.html |newspaper=Washington Post |date=January 31, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018123657/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/31/AR2007013100404.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It had been speculated that Biden would be offered and accept the position of Secretary of State because of his foreign policy experience and credentials.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Kornacki |title=A Candidate for Secretary of State |url=http://www.observer.com/2007/candidate-secretary-state |newspaper=New York Observer |date=June 12, 2007 |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616053615/http://www.observer.com/2007/candidate-secretary-state |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2007}}</ref> Biden rejected the notion outright, saying "Under no administration will I accept the job of Secretary of State". He stated that he was focused only on the presidency. At a campaign event, Biden commented, "I know a lot of my opponents out there say I'd be a great secretary of state. Seriously, every one of them. Do you watch any of the debates? 'Joe's right, Joe's right, Joe's right.'"<ref>{{cite news |first=Phillip |last=Elliot |title=Biden Won't Serve As Secretary of State |url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Nov29/0,4670,PoliticalPlayoftheDay,00.html |publisher=Fox News |date=November 29, 2007 |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112160306/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Nov29/0%2C4670%2CPoliticalPlayoftheDay%2C00.html |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Other candidates commenting that "Joe is right" in the [[Democratic presidential debates, 2008|Democratic debates]] has been converted into a Biden campaign theme and ad.<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe is Right |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbOa989IRYw |publisher=YouTube |date=November 16, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215160559/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbOa989IRYw <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=December 15, 2007}}</ref>

On January 31, 2007, as Biden entered the presidential race he attacked frontrunner [[Hillary Clinton]]'s plan for the [[War in Iraq]]. During an interview on ''[[Good Morning America]]'', Biden called Clinton's plan "a disaster" and "counterproductive". Biden stated that his plan called for a "political solution" unlike Clinton's "military solution". Biden praised Hillary Clinton as a presidential candidate, calling her "fully qualified".<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Biden: Hillary Clinton's Plan for Iraq a 'Disaster' |url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=2837456 |publisher=ABC News |date=January 31, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916163602/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=2837456 |url-status=live}}</ref> He drew criticism for his attempted praise of [[Illinois]] Senator and future running mate [[Barack Obama]], referring to him as "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy", a remark criticized as racist.<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite news |title=Biden's description of Obama draws scrutiny |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/31/biden.obama/ |publisher=CNN |date=February 9, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-date=December 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216192748/http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/31/biden.obama/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden was criticized in the popular press for his comments about Obama,<ref name="cnn.com" /><ref name="Bidens Launch Pad Disaster">{{cite news |title=Bidens Launch Pad Disaster |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/realclearpolitics/20070131/cm_rcp/bidens_launch_pad_disaster |publisher=Yahoo News |date=January 31, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208030943/http://news.yahoo.com/s/realclearpolitics/20070131/cm_rcp/bidens_launch_pad_disaster |archive-date=February 8, 2007}}</ref> and although he apologized,<ref name="cnn.com" /> his campaign was damaged by the remark.<ref name="gamechange">{{cite book |first=John |last=Heilemann |author-link=John Heilemann |first2=Mark |last2=Halperin |author-link2=Mark Halperin |title=Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |location=New York |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-06-173363-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/gamechange00john/page/336 336–338]|title-link=Game Change}}</ref> Eventually, Obama stated that he did not view this comment as racist.<ref>{{cite book|last=Obama|first=Barack|author-link=Barack Obama|date=November 17, 2020|title=[[A Promised Land]]|publisher=Crown Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-5247-6316-9}}</ref>

A few weeks later, Biden appeared on the Feb 18 episode of ''[[Face the Nation]]'', criticizing the new surge policy of the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] in Iraq. He spoke about a piece of legislation that he put forth before the Senate to stall the surge policy from enactment, which would strip the president of the authorization he was given to go to war in 2002. After the legislation went up for a vote it failed by four votes in the Senate. Biden stated:<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden: We'll Change 2002 War Authorization |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/18/ftn/main2491151.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_2491151 |publisher=CBS News |date=February 18, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614205242/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/18/ftn/main2491151.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_2491151 |url-status=live}}</ref>

While campaigning in March 2007, Biden stated that he would put a great quantity of focus on the first Southern primary state of [[South Carolina]] as a strategy. While speaking to rural audiences Biden noted that the war in Iraq continued to be an important facet of his campaign agenda. He said that he would talk to [[Independent (voter)|Independent voters]] to convince them to propel him to the nomination stating that if "the Democratic nominee cannot attract independents, Democrats cannot win". Biden would later drop out of the race before the South Carolina primary would take place.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Bach |title=Biden on the trail in SC |url=http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/03/cnn-political-ticker-am_05.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320233221/http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/03/cnn-political-ticker-am_05.html |archive-date=March 20, 2007|publisher=CNN |date=March 5, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2008}}</ref>

In April 2007 Biden criticized [[2008 Republican presidential candidates|Republican presidential candidate]] [[John McCain]] calling him "fundamentally wrong" for his support of the surge policy in Iraq. Biden wrote an opinion column to the ''[[Sacramento Bee]]'', which called the surge a "failed policy". He conceded that violence was down in Iraq but that the "militia ... simply waiting out the surge" accounted for the downward trend. Biden argued that no political change had occurred as there had been "no trust of the government by the [Iraqi] people." He later described his plan which calls for a system of [[federalism]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Biden |title=Joe Biden: The real surge story |url=http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/153951.html |newspaper=Sacramento Bee |date=April 13, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2008}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

As the debate stage of the election began, Biden participated in the first presidential debate of the election on April 26, 2007, in South Carolina. He was the second to respond to a question originally posed to Senator Hillary Clinton on whether Senator [[Harry Reid]]'s assessment that the war in Iraq was "lost" is factual. Biden responded by stating the war is not a "game show" or a "football game", which can be lost. He went on to argue that the real question that should be asked is, "Are we going to be able to leave Iraq ... and leave behind something other than chaos?" He elaborated on this statement revealing his belief in the need for a change in the strategy for Iraq, declaring that the United States has to "change the fundamental premise of this engagement, and that is ... to decentralize Iraq ... give the regions control over their own destiny ..."<ref>{{cite news |title=South Carolina Democratic debate transcript |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18352397 |publisher=NBC News |date=April 26, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914191853/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18352397/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

After the South Carolina debate, Biden campaigned in California to begin May 2007 attending events in San Francisco.<ref>{{cite news |title=Also on the Political Radar |url=http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/05/cnn-political-ticker-am_02.html |publisher=CNN |date=May 2, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170034/http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/05/cnn-political-ticker-am_02.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Later in the month after President [[George W. Bush]] enacted economic sanctions against [[Sudan]] to pressure the government to end the [[Darfur genocide|genocide in Darfur]], Biden momentarily shifted focus from Iraq to the crisis in Darfur. He released a statement on the campaign trail that expressed his belief that Bush was right to enact the sanctions. However, Biden argued that it was not enough, calling for a [[No-Fly Zone]] over the region and a possible commitment of United States forces to the nation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Biden: Senator Joe Biden Issues Statement on President's Announcement of New Sanctions for Sudan |url=http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48723914_joe_biden_joe_biden_senator_joe_biden_issues_statement_presidents_announcement_new_sanction |publisher=All American Patriots |date=May 29, 2007|access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007184625/http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48723914_joe_biden_joe_biden_senator_joe_biden_issues_statement_presidents_announcement_new_sanction |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 7, 2008}}</ref>

On June 3, Biden participated in the second Democratic Debate featured on CNN, and set in the first primary state of [[New Hampshire]]. Biden discussed the War in Iraq, his recent vote to continue the funding of the troops and briefly about illegal immigration. On immigration Biden stated that it would cost too much money to send all 14 million illegal immigrants back to their native countries. He stated that those who commit crimes should be sent back and the rest should be given a pathway to citizenship. His statement: "Folks, being commander in chief requires you to occasionally be practical." drew some laughter from the audience. Later in the debate Biden addressed his opposition to the "[[Don't ask, don't tell]]" policy of the military and touched on the situation in Darfur.<ref>{{cite news |title=Democratic Debate Transcript, New Hampshire |url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/13520/democratic_debate_transcript_new_hampshire.html |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |date=June 3, 2007|access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-date=January 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111080636/http://www.cfr.org/publication/13520/democratic_debate_transcript_new_hampshire.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Later in June, Biden participated in another debate, this time featured on [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] and set at [[Howard University]] in Washington D.C. At the debate the candidates discussed issues pertinent to African-Americans including education, civil rights and reproductive safety. Biden stated that to prevent the spread of AIDS public servants have to communicate to "black men ... [that] it is not unmanly to wear a condom, getting women to understand they can say no, getting people in the position where testing matters. I got tested for AIDS. I ''know'' Barack [Obama] got tested for AIDS."<ref>{{cite news |title=Democratic Debate Transcript, Washington, D.C. |url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/13699/democratic_debate_transcript_washington_dc.html |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |date=June 28, 2007|access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-date=July 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720074909/http://www.cfr.org/publication/13699/democratic_debate_transcript_washington_dc.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The next month Biden participated in two debates: The July 12 Debate in Detroit, Michigan and most notably the July 23 YouTube debate in [[Charleston, South Carolina]] featured on CNN. In this debate when asked what Republican he would pick as a running mate if forced, Biden answered, "I would pick [[Chuck Hagel]], and I'd consider asking [[Richard Lugar|Dick Lugar]] to be secretary of state." In regards to Iraq, Biden stated that it was unrealistic to say that all troops would be redeployed. He instructed those who used that rhetoric to "Tell the truth for a change." When he discussed education Biden declared that he "would scrap" the [[No Child Left Behind Act]]. He concluded his participation in the debate after being asked to say something he didn't like about the candidate to his left, [[Dennis Kucinich]]. Biden replied, "I don't like a damn thing about him ... only kidding. The best thing about him is [[Elizabeth Kucinich|his wife]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Democratic Debate Transcript, CNN/YouTube |url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/13876/democratic_debate_transcript_cnnyoutube.html |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |date=July 23, 2007|access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-date=November 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101151443/http://www.cfr.org/publication/13876/democratic_debate_transcript_cnnyoutube.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The next month Biden was not able to participate in two debates, the August 4 debate sponsored by the [[DailyKos]] and the August 9 [[LGBT]] Debate featured on the gay network [[Logo (TV channel)|Logo]]. He participated in the August 7 [[AFL–CIO]] Debate and the August 19 [[Iowa]] debate featured on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. On August 20 Biden aired his first campaign advertisement in the first caucus state of Iowa. In the 30-second ad a voiceover states that Biden has a plan to end the Iraq War, and that "We (America) must end this war in a way that doesn't require us to send their (soldiers) grandchild back." It continues by declaring, "Joe Biden is the only candidate with a plan to get us out of Iraq and keep us out."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Kuhnhemn |title=Biden Airs Ad in Iowa |url=https://www.theguardian.com/worldlatest/story/0,,-6862077,00.html |work=The Guardian |date=August 20, 2007|access-date=January 7, 2008 |location=London}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

As September began, Biden confided to the [[Associated Press]] that he was "counting on Iowa a lot". He hoped to come in "first, second or an indistinguishable third" and if not he would leave the campaign trail and return to [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]].<ref name="washington">{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Glover |title=Biden Bets on Iowa to Boost Candidacy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/03/AR2007090300127.html |work=Washington Post |date=September 3, 2007|access-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210903/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/03/AR2007090300127.html |url-status=live}}</ref> His early statements seemed to mirror the future as he would ultimately drop out of the race after finishing lower than third in the Iowa Caucus. The results also presented a refutation of what he stated in September 2007 when he said that the campaign was "gaining some traction [in Iowa]." The September 2007 assessments made by [[University of Iowa]] professor Bruce Gronbeck and [[Drake University]] professor Dennis Goldford displayed more merit at the end of the race after Gronbeck stated that Biden was not gaining traction in the race and with Goldford adding that "[Biden] talks like a senator, not a president". Democratic strategist [[Ron Parker (strategist)|Ron Parker]] argued in September that Biden still had a chance but just had to sell his case to the American people.<ref name="washington" />

On September 9, two days before the Iraq commanding General [[David Petraeus]] addressed the Senate, Biden stated that, "I really respect him, and I think he's dead flat wrong [about the War in Iraq]". He criticized the president, arguing, "This president has no plan – how to win and/or how to leave".<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden: Petraeus is Dead Wrong on Iraq |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296213,00.html |publisher=Fox News |date=September 9, 2007|access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022101954/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296213,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref> During the September 11 testimony by the General, Biden stated that the question to be asked to determine progress was "Are we any closer to a lasting political settlement in Iraq at the national level today than we were when the surge began eight months ago?" He answered his own question by stating "In my judgment, I must tell you, based on my experience and my observation here, as well as in-country, the answer to ... [the] questions is no." After the testimony concluded, Biden and other Democrats were criticized for their conduct during the deliberations. In the following weeks Biden would continue with these arguments while campaigning.<ref>{{cite news |title=Crocker: Withdrawal Plan Could Spark Iraqi 'Street Fight' |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296393,00.html |publisher=Fox News |date=September 11, 2007|access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022102012/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296393,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

At the September 26 [[MSNBC]] debate, Biden explained how he would allow for [[Social security]] to last. He said that in the 1980s he had a meeting with prominent members of Congress and the solution they came up with was the raise the cap level, he stated that now the same solution would apply and that unity between the two parties was also necessary, "It was Joe Biden, [[Pat Moynihan]], [[Bob Dole]] ... [and] [[George J. Mitchell|George Mitchell]] when we made that deal [to reform social security]. I'll never forget Bob Dole turning to Pat Moynihan and saying, 'we all got to jump in this boat at the same time.' So the bottom line here is, you can't do it by growing the economy alone. So I would raise the cap." Later in the debate Biden was one of three participants (along with [[Chris Dodd|Dodd]] and [[Bill Richardson|Richardson]]) who said they would ban smoking in public places.<ref>{{cite news |title=Democratic Debate Transcript, New Hampshire |url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/14313/ |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |date=September 26, 2007|access-date=January 10, 2008 |archive-date=February 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206192752/http://www.cfr.org/publication/14313/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 23 Biden revealed his health care plan. It called for expanded coverage for children and adults but stops short of mandates for complete universal coverage. It aimed to encourage wellness and modernization of treatment. Biden stated it would cost between $80&nbsp;billion and $110&nbsp;billion per year. He said it could have been paid with a rollback of tax cuts of the richest 1% bracket, capital gains and dividends and the elimination of tax loopholes for [[hedge fund]] managers and private equity partners. The plan would also had increased the [[SCHIP]] program to include children 300% above the poverty level.<ref>{{cite news|first=Amy |last=Lorentzen |title=Biden Unveils Health Care Plan |url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3764376 |publisher=ABC News |date=October 23, 2007 |access-date=January 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222012346/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3764376 |archive-date=December 22, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

At the October 30, 2007, debate in [[Philadelphia]] and the November 15 debate in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], Biden was noted for some one-liners that drew some laughter from the audience. First, when speaking about [[Rudy Giuliani]] at the Philadelphia debate, Biden stated, "There's only three things he mentions in a sentence: a [[noun]], and a [[verb]] and [[9/11]]."<ref>{{cite news |first=Joelle |last=Farrell |title=A noun, a verb and 9/11 |url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071101/NEWS01/711010358/1043/NEWS01 |newspaper=Concord Monitor |date=November 1, 2007 |access-date=January 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109213748/http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20071101%2FNEWS01%2F711010358%2F1043%2FNEWS01 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2007}}</ref> At the Las Vegas debate Biden seemed to attack all his opponents when he stated, "I know there's more to say, Campbell. I appreciate you asking me the question and I'm sorry I answered it. I know you're not supposed to answer questions, based on what I've heard."<ref>{{cite news |title=The Democratic Debate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/us/politics/15debate-transcript.html?pagewanted=all |newspaper=New York Times |date=November 15, 2007|access-date=January 10, 2008 |archive-date=December 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229075631/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/us/politics/15debate-transcript.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live}}</ref>

In his final debate before the Iowa Caucus, Biden participated in the December 13 forum sponsored by ''[[The Des Moines Register]]''. His most notable part came when asked to respond to allegations that he was "uncomfortable" speaking about race since making remarks earlier in the year when he referred to Barack Obama using the adjectives "clean" and "articulate". Biden answered the question remarking that anyone who has known him knew of this commitment to [[civil rights]] and [[race relations]]. [[Barack Obama]] came to his defense, saying: "Joe is on the right side of the issues and is fighting every day for a better America."<ref>{{cite news |first=Patrick |last=Healy |author2=Jeff Zeleny |title=Democrats Soften Tone for Final Debate in Iowa |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/us/politics/14dems.html |newspaper=New York Times |date=December 14, 2007|access-date=January 31, 2008 |archive-date=January 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116192659/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/us/politics/14dems.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the debate and subsequent assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister [[Benazir Bhutto]], Biden shifted focus of his campaign to the issue of relations toward the nation of [[Pakistan]]. He stated that the country was "the most dangerous nation on the planet" and that he had made that assertion on previous occasions. The event marked an opportunity for a candidate such as Biden with past foreign policy experience to gain momentum in the opinion polls with the looming Iowa Caucus less than a week away. Biden finished off the year's campaigning trying to improve his standing in the race by speaking of the events surrounding the situation in Pakistan and particularly his solution of protecting the nuclear weapons of the nation.<ref>{{cite news |first=Patrick |last=Healy |title=Crisis Overseas Is Sudden Test for Candidates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/us/politics/29memo.html |newspaper=New York Times |date=December 29, 2007|access-date=January 31, 2008 |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117045449/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/us/politics/29memo.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

After finishing in fifth place in the [[2008 Iowa Democratic caucuses|Iowa caucus]] on January 3, 2008, garnering only one percent of the total vote, Biden ended his presidential bid. In a tearful rally with family and friends by his side, Biden declared, "I ain't going away. I'll be going back to the Senate as the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and I will continue to make the case I've been making ..."<ref>{{cite news |first=Nicole |last=Gaudiano |title=Biden ends his long-shot run |url=http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080104/NEWS/801040354 |newspaper=The News Journal |location=Wilmington, Delaware |date=January 4, 2008 |access-date=January 31, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108035224/http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080104%2FNEWS%2F801040354 |archive-date=January 8, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Main|Fundraising for the 2008 presidential election}}

According to the Federal Elections Commission,<ref>{{cite news|title=Joe Biden First Quarter|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/finance/2007/q1/joe-biden/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=February 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901211538/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/finance/2007/q1/joe-biden/|archive-date=September 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Biden raised $2,343,639 in the second quarter of 2007. The most support came from the state of New York which donated $571,800.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joe Biden Second Quarter|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/finance/2007/q2/joe-biden/ |newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=February 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525081305/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/finance/2007/q2/joe-biden/|url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2008}}</ref> Biden raised nearly $2&nbsp;million in the third quarter of 2007. Biden qualified for matching funds for his primary campaign<ref>{{cite news|title=Biden Fifth Presidential Candidate Declared Eligible for Primary Matching Funds in 2008 Race|url=http://www.fec.gov/press/press2007/20071204biden.shtml|publisher=FEC|date=December 4, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008|archive-date=September 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916132650/http://fec.gov/press/press2007/20071204biden.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> but did not decide whether or not to accept them. According to [[OpenSecrets]], Joe Biden raised $8,215,739 for his presidency campaign. Individual contributors gave $6,087,885 toward his campaign, PACs gave $101,475, and $2,026,379 has come from his Senate Re-election Fund.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00001669&cycle=2008 Biden puts in 2 million of his own money into race] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428213724/http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00001669&cycle=2008 |date=April 28, 2008}} [[OpenSecrets]]</ref> 66% of the PAC contributions came from business groups, 19% from labor groups, and the final 16% from ideological organizations. When he withdrew, Biden had $1,886,340 on hand, had spent $6,329,324, and had a total of $128,210 in debt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?ID=N00001669&Cycle=2008 |title=Mitt Romney Presidential Finance Report |access-date=October 23, 2006 |archive-date=April 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428213724/http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00001669&cycle=2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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{{hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#cff|title=List of people who endorsed Joe Biden|contentstyle=border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:white;}}

<!--===don't edit the line above===-->

* U.S. Senator [[Tom Carper]] (D-DE)<ref name="hill">{{cite news |title=Endorsements '08 |url=http://thehill.com/endorsements-2008.html |work=The Hill |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121121212/http://thehill.com/endorsements-2008.html |archive-date=January 21, 2008}}</ref>

* State Representative [[McKinley Bailey]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden">{{cite press release |title=Press Releases |url=http://www.joebiden.com/newscenter/pressreleases |publisher=joebiden.com |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123195251/http://www.joebiden.com/newscenter/pressreleases <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=January 23, 2008

* State Representative [[Jimmy Bales]] (D-SC)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Jim Battle (South Carolina politician)|Jim Battle]] (D-SC)<ref name="biden" />

* State Attorney General [[Beau Biden]] (D-DE)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Garrett Bradley]] (D-MA)<ref name="biden" />

* State House Speaker Pro Tempore, Rep. [[Polly Bukta]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Dennis Cohoon]] (D-IA)<ref name="iowa">{{cite news |title=Iowapolitics.com Press Releases |url=http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Content=101 |publisher=IowaPolitics.com |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031207020408/http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Content=101 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 7, 2003}}</ref>

* State Representative [[Joseph R. Driscoll|Joe Driscoll]] (D-MA)<ref name="biden" />

* State House Assistant Majority Leader, Rep. [[Dan Eaton]] (D-NH)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Mary A. Gaskill]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Jerry Govan]] (D-SC)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Robert Haley]] (D-NH)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Bill Hatch]] (D-NH)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Lisa Heddens]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Doris Kelley]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Paul Kujawski]] (D-MA)<ref name="biden" />

* [[Sam Latham]], the President of the Delaware state [[AFL–CIO]]<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Jim Lykam]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Senator [[Gerald Malloy]] (D-SC)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Mike Marsh (politician)|Mike Marsh]] (D-NH)<ref name="biden" />

* State House Majority Leader, Rep. [[Kevin McCarthy (Iowa politician)|Kevin McCarthy]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* [[Richard McDonaugh, Jr.]], the President of the Delaware state [[United Auto Workers]]<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Vida Miller]] (D-SC)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Eric Palmer]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Mark Preston (politician)|Mark Preston]] (D-NH)<ref name="biden" />

* State Senator [[Herman C. Quirmbach]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Mike Reasoner]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Senator [[Glenn Reese]] (D-SC)<ref name="biden" />

* State House Majority Leader [[John H. Rogers|John Rogers]] (D-MA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Jim Ryan (New Hampshire politician)|Jim Ryan]] (D-NH)<ref name="biden" />

* State Senator [[Joe Seng]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Steve Shurtleff]] (D-NH)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[James E. Smith, Jr.|James Smith]] (D-SC)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Dick Taylor (Iowa politician)|Dick Taylor]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Roger Thomas (Iowa politician)|Roger Thomas]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Senator [[Jim Timilty]] (D-MA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[James Vallee]] (D-MA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Brian Wallace]] (D-MA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Jim Webber]] (D-NH)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[John Whitaker (Iowa politician)|John Whitaker]] (D-IA)<ref name="biden" />

* State Representative [[Bruce Hunter (Iowa politician)|Bruce Hunter]] (D-IA)<ref name="iowa" />

* State Representative [[Robert Rice (Massachusetts politician)|Robert Rice]] (D-MA)<ref name="blog">{{cite news |title=Biden For President Announces Two Additional Key Endorsements |url=http://blog.joebiden.com/?p=1482 |publisher=joebiden.com |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212191428/http://blog.joebiden.com/?p=1482 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 12, 2007}}</ref>

* State Representative [[Charles Murphy (Massachusetts politician)|Charles Murphy]] (D-MA)<ref name="blog" />

* State Representative [[Bob Williams (New Hampshire politician)|Bob Williams]] (D-NH)<ref name="blog" />

* State Representative [[Eric Palmer]] (D-IA)<ref name="iowa" />

* State Representative [[Dennis Cohoon]] (D-IA)<ref name="iowa" />

* Actor [[Richard Schiff]]<ref name="blog" />

{{hidden end}}

{{Main|Opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2008|Opinion polling for the Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|l1= General election polling |l2= Democratic primary polling}}

Perhaps the biggest problem Biden faced was that voters did not know about him and his candidacy. An April 2–5 poll conducted by [[The Gallup Organization|Gallup]] found that 38% of the public had never heard of Joe Biden and 17% had no opinion at all about him. In contrast, 0% of the public had never heard of [[Hillary Clinton]] and only 3% had no opinion according to a June 1–3 poll by Gallup.<ref>{{cite news |title=Government and politics |url=http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=1618&pg=1 |publisher=gallup.com |date=June 4, 2007 |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630121333/http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=1618&pg=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2007}}</ref>

A September poll conducted by [[Clemson University]] found that 36% of the public had never heard of Joe Biden and only 44% had a favorable opinion of him. However, this was the highest awareness rating in the Democratic field outside of the frontrunners (Clinton, [[Barack Obama]], and [[John Edwards]]) and non-declared but highly discussed [[Al Gore]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Clemson University Palmetto Poll |url=http://www.clemson.edu/newsroom/special_reports/internal/Poll_details.htm |publisher=Clemson University |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=October 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013105134/http://www.clemson.edu/newsroom/special_reports/internal/Poll_details.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> A September 18 poll found that 56% of respondents had not heard enough about Biden to form an opinion about him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Poll: Many Americans Don't Know Biden |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/18/opinion/polls/main3272744.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3272744 |publisher=CBS News |date=September 18, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614053955/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/18/opinion/polls/main3272744.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3272744 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Biden had remained low in the opinion polls when compared to other candidates. A [[Rasmussen Reports|Rasmussen]] survey taken September 19–24 put him in fourth place among his Democratic opponents at 4%, trailing Clinton, Obama, and Edwards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Daily Presidential Tracking Poll |url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/daily_presidential_tracking_poll__1 |publisher=Rasmussenreports.com |date=September 24, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022024011/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/daily_presidential_tracking_poll__1|archive-date=October 22, 2007}}</ref> In the [[American Research Group]], Biden was fourth at 5% behind Clinton, Obama, and Edwards, for the month of October 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=American Research Group |url=http://americanresearchgroup.com/ |publisher=American Research Group, Inc. |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124222007/http://americanresearchgroup.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In head-to-head matchups with Republican candidates, Biden trailed Senator [[John McCain]] on January 10, 2007, 38% to 46%.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden Trails McCain and Giuliani by Double Digits |url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008/other_election_2008/biden_trails_mccain_and_giuliani_by_double_digits |publisher=Rasmussen Reports |date=January 10, 2007|access-date=January 31, 2008 |archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915102537/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008/other_election_2008/biden_trails_mccain_and_giuliani_by_double_digit |url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 17, Biden trailed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani 37% to 46%. The closest Biden came to a GOP candidate in a head-to-head matchup was against former Senator [[Fred Thompson]], trailing him 38% to 40% on July 17, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Election 2008: Biden Trails Giuliani by Nine, Thompson by Two |url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/election_2008_biden_trails_giuliani_by_nine_thompson_by_two |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202085856/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/election_2008_biden_trails_giuliani_by_nine_thompson_by_two |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2013 |publisher=Rasmussen Reports |date=July 17, 2007 |access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref>

{{quote box |quote=This [election] is not about experience. It's not about change. It's about action.}}

Biden spoke of the fact that he had spent 34 years in the Senate and had been active in many congressional committees including being the chairman of the [[U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations]] and formerly holding the post as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. On the campaign trail he touted his years of foreign policy experience particularly in regard to the [[Bosnian War|conflict in Bosnia]], which he feels he played a role in ending. Biden stated earlier in his campaign that "[he] truly believe[s] the American public is waiting for leaders to come along who have the experience to say what they will do to restore America's leadership in the world."<ref>{{cite news |title=Meet Joe Biden |url=http://www.joebiden.com/getinformed/about |publisher=joebiden.com |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123195347/http://www.joebiden.com/getinformed/about <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=January 23, 2008}}</ref> At times during his campaign he believed his experience would help him win the Democratic nomination, but when Barack Obama's campaign began to surge with the candidate's emphasis on change, Biden shifted his focus from his experience in politics to his ability for action.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden: Who among us knows what they're doing? |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/15/biden-who-among-us-knows-what-theyre-doing/ |publisher=CNN |date=November 15, 2007|access-date=February 17, 2008 |archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191423/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/15/biden-who-among-us-knows-what-theyre-doing/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He stated during a November 2007 debate, "This [election] is not about experience. It's not about change. It's about action. Who among us is going to be able to, on Day 1, step in and end the war?"<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Biden |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/candidates/joe.biden.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=July 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705163824/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/candidates/joe.biden.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Earlier in his campaign the most important issue for Biden was the [[Conflict in Iraq]].  In November 2006, Biden and [[Leslie Gelb]], President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, released a comprehensive strategy to end [[sectarian]] violence in [[Iraq]]. Rather than continuing the present approach or withdrawing, the plan calls for "a third way": [[federalism|federalizing]] Iraq and giving [[Kurd]]s, [[Shiite]]s, and [[Sunni]]s "breathing room" in their own regions. With public approval of the handling of the conflict decreasing considerably since the invasion in 2003, Biden believed this plan would have helped his campaign among the electorate had he been nominated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iraq, A Way Forward |url=http://www.planforiraq.com/ |publisher=PlanForIraq.com |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108171411/http://planforiraq.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2006}}</ref> The key points included:

Controversial comments had adversely affected the campaign of Joe Biden. ''[[Washington Post]]'' columnist [[Richard Cohen (Washington Post columnist)|Richard Cohen]] is quoted as saying that Biden's candidacy might be endangered by his "manic-obsessive running of the mouth."<ref name="cohen">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Cohen |title=Loose Lips Sink ... |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/11/AR2006011102041.html |newspaper=Washington Post |date=January 11, 2006|access-date=February 17, 2008 |archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222122845/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/11/AR2006011102041.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

"I've had a great relationship. In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian Americans—moving from India. You cannot go to a [[7-11]] or a [[Dunkin' Donuts]] unless you have a slight Indian accent. I'm not joking." His comment was caught on [[C-SPAN]]. When asked to explain further, Biden spokesperson Margaret Aitken stated "The Senator [Biden] admires, supports and respects the Indian-American community ... The point Senator Biden was making is that there has been a vibrant Indian-American community in Delaware for decades. It has primarily been made up of [[engineer]]s, scientists and physicians, but more recently, middle-class families are moving into Delaware and purchasing family-run small businesses ..."<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden explains Indian-American remarks |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13757367 |publisher=NBC News |date=July 7, 2006|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010134253/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13757367 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Indian-American activist who was on the receiving end of Biden's comment later called the media coverage of Biden's comments "completely unfair," and stated that he was "100 percent behind (Biden) because he did nothing wrong."<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Distaso |title=Indian-American activist defends Sen. Biden |url=http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Indian-American+activist+defends+Sen.+Biden&articleId=0108a2f4-0530-4860-b010-5b076007bff6 |work=Union Leader |date=July 10, 2006|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=February 28, 2007

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228073804/http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Indian-American+activist+defends+Sen.+Biden&articleId=0108a2f4-0530-4860-b010-5b076007bff6 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 31, 2007, Biden took his first steps into the presidential campaign, but his comments about other candidates overshadowed his entrance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden's Obama Flap Overshadows Campaign Start |url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006327541 |publisher=AHN |date=January 31, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102646/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006327541 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref> Biden especially drew criticism in the popular press for his evaluation of Senator [[Barack Obama]];<ref name="cnn.com" /><ref name="Bidens Launch Pad Disaster" /> Biden was quoted in the ''[[New York Observer]]'' as saying: "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy, ... I mean, that's a storybook, man."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Horowitz |title=Biden Unbound: Lays Into Clinton, Obama, Edwards |url=http://www.observer.com/node/36658 |newspaper=The New York Observer |date=February 4, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=June 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609123456/http://www.observer.com/node/36658 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The audio of the interview, posted on the ''Observer''{{'}}s website, reportedly includes a significant pause after "African-American" which would drastically change the meaning of the statement.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Kiel |title=Talking Points Memo |url=http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012211.php |publisher=TPM |date=January 31, 2007 |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202225905/http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012211.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2007}}</ref>{{Clarify|date=December 2018}} Biden sought to clear up the controversy by apologizing to Obama on the same day and repeated his regret on ''[[The Daily Show]]'' that same evening: "Look, the other part of this thing that got me in trouble is using the word clean. I should have said fresh." Some media observers labeled Biden's announcement a "launch pad disaster."<ref name="Bidens Launch Pad Disaster" /> Jonathan Darman of MSNBC commented: "If the gaffe does destroy Biden's chances, few in either party will be particularly surprised. The senator's biggest enemy has always been his own mouth ... He simply cannot control what comes out of his mouth."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Darman |title=Newsweek |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16933246/site/newsweek/ |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=February 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402135239/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16933246/site/newsweek/ |archive-date=April 2, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The remark did much to undermine the start of Biden's campaign, and severely damaged his fund-raising ability.<ref name="gamechange" /> Despite this, Obama and Biden later boasted of "the closest relationship" of anyone to occupy the roles of President and Vice-President of the United States, and this relationship has continued outside of their official offices within the White House.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Eilperin|first1=Juliet|title=Obama-Biden rapport transcends the office: This relationship is personal.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-biden-rapport-transcends-the-office-this-relationship-is-personal/2016/01/13/7aa89e86-b96c-11e5-b682-4bb4dd403c7d_story.html|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=January 25, 2017|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118080956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-biden-rapport-transcends-the-office-this-relationship-is-personal/2016/01/13/7aa89e86-b96c-11e5-b682-4bb4dd403c7d_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{See also|Political positions of Joe Biden}}

Biden was considered to be a moderate liberal, clocking a 77.5 percent liberal voting record in 2006 and lifetime score of 76.8 percent.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Cillizza |title=Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – Who's the Most Liberal of Them All? |url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/03/mirror_mirror_on_the_wall_whos.html |newspaper=Washington Post |date=March 1, 2007|access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=June 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614104005/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/03/mirror_mirror_on_the_wall_whos.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Biden was [[Pro-Choice|pro-choice]] on abortion rated 100% by [[NARAL]] and supported a state's right to have [[civil unions]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070421/REPOSITORY/704210326/1043/NEWS01 |title=Candidates dance at civil unions: Dems shy of marriage; GOP jumps to right |date=April 21, 2007 |access-date=February 17, 2008 |work=Concord Monitor and New Hampshire Patriot |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312221359/http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070421%2FREPOSITORY%2F704210326%2F1043%2FNEWS01 |url-status=live }}</ref> He favors a [[Balanced Budget Amendment]] and a rollback of the [[Bush tax cuts]]. He supported the [[PATRIOT Act]] and the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|war in Afghanistan]], and voted in favor of authorization of military force into Iraq. He believed a political solution can be met in Iraq through [[federalization]]. Biden said he would favor American military intervention into [[Sudan]] to end the [[Darfur genocide]]. He supported [[Gun control]] and was given an F by the [[National Rifle Association|NRA]]. He opposed the [[No Child Left Behind Act]] although he voted in favor of it in 2002. Biden opposed capital punishment and supported the continuation of the [[war on drugs]]. In 2007, he voted in favor of the [[Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007|Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill]] and supported a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Biden opposed oil drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]] and said he believed that the government must take action against [[global warming]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Biden on the Issues |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Joe_Biden.htm |publisher=OnTheIssues.org |access-date=February 17, 2008 |archive-date=April 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404053151/http://www.ontheissues.org/joe_biden.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

  | candidate = [[Joseph Biden]] <small>(vice-presidential)</small><br />[[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]], 1973–2009

While Biden's presidential campaign did not last beyond the first caucuses, he created a favorable impression during the debates and increased his stature among Washington politicos.<ref name="gamechange" /> In particular, [[Barack Obama]] changed his opinion of Biden, liking how he had handled himself at campaign stops and appreciating his appeal to working class voters.<ref name="gamechange" />

On May 30, 2008, it was reported by ''[[The Washington Times]]'' that likely Democratic nominee Obama asked Biden to play a "more prominent" and "deeply involved" role in his campaign, with some speculating that Biden was on Obama's shortlist of vice presidential candidates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/05/30/4428566-veepstakes-nunn-and-biden-in-the-news |publisher=MSNBC |title=VEEPSTAKES: NUNN AND BIDEN IN THE NEWS |first=Mark |last=Murray |date=May 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712212621/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/05/30/4428566-veepstakes-nunn-and-biden-in-the-news |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 9, 2021}}</ref> On August 23, 2008, the Obama campaign announced that Biden would become Barack Obama's running mate.<ref name=ObamaPick>{{cite web |access-date=August 23, 2008 |url=http://www.barackobama.com/index.php |title=Joe Biden! |quote="Barack has chosen Joe Biden. ... Breaking news: the text message is out and it's official ... Barack Obama has selected Joe Biden to be his running mate!" |publisher=BarackObama.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827181452/http://www.barackobama.com/index.php |archive-date=August 27, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Nagourney|first=Adam|last2=Zeleny|first2=Jeff|date=August 23, 2008|title=Obama Chooses Biden as Running Mate (Published 2008)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html|access-date=November 1, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401222653/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Obama–Biden ticket===

{{Main|2008 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection|Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign}}

Following U.S. Democratic presumptive presidential nominee [[Barack Obama]]'s selection of Biden, the Senator's vice-presidential general election campaign began.<ref>{{cite news |authors=Adam Nagourney and Jeff Zeleny |title=Obama Chooses Biden as Running Mate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html?em |newspaper=New York Times |date=August 23, 2008|access-date=August 23, 2008 |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616005825/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html?em |url-status=live}}</ref> During the campaign, he used his political experience to complement Obama, and debated Republican Vice Presidential nominee [[Sarah Palin]]. Biden was elected Vice President on November 4, 2008, and sworn in on January 20, 2009.

===FEC fine===

On July 16, 2010, the [[Federal Election Commission]] fined the Biden presidential campaign $219,000 for campaign finance violations. The commission's audit revealed the campaign to have accepted contributions above the legal limit, to have failed to properly compensate for a 2007 jet ride, and to have issued checks that were never cashed. A Biden spokesperson said that "Some repayment is commonplace after presidential campaign audits and the repayment ordered here is relatively small. Payment is due to the Treasury 30 days after the FEC issues its formal ruling and 'Biden for President' will comply with that."<ref>{{cite news |title=FEC fines Biden more than $200,000 for violations |author=Mooney, Alexander |publisher=CNN |date=July 17, 2010}}</ref>

* [[Political positions of Joe Biden]]

* [[Joe Biden 1988 presidential campaign]]

* [[Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign]]

* [[2008 United States presidential election]]

* [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/us/politics/27text-biden.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Transcript of Vice-Presidential nomination acceptance speech]

* [http://www.joebiden.com/ Joe Biden.com], Campaign site

* [https://archive.today/20070927200548/http://spartaninternet.com/2008/bycandidate.asp?tab=3&id=9 Spartan Internet Political Performance Index rank for Joe Biden by week]

* [http://www.4biden.com/ Joe Biden for President 2008]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071107000854/http://www.4biden.com/news/ Joe Biden campaign news]

* [http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/S8DE00012 Joe Biden's presidential campaign finance reports and data] at the Federal Election Commission

* [http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00001669&cycle=2008 Joe Biden's presidential campaign contributions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428213724/http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00001669&cycle=2008 |date=April 28, 2008}} at OpenSecrets.org

* [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/primaries/candidates/biden.html Online NewsHour with Jim Lehrer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231061248/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/primaries/candidates/biden.html |date=December 31, 2013}}

* [https://archive.today/20121209025709/projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/joe-biden/ Washington Post Presidential Field]