Vice President Joe Biden speaking to the crowd Friday in Bristol Township.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Vice President Joe Biden and a number of other prominent local Democrats took to the stage at the Bristol Township campus of Bucks County Community College in an effort to garner enthusiasm from young people in an effort to elect Hillary Clinton as president.
About 300 people packed into the lobby of the campus to hear Bucks County Democratic Party Chairman John Cordisco, State Rep. Tina Davis (D-141), Pennsylvania Attorney General candidate Josh Shapiro and congressional candidate State Rep. Steve Santasiero. The speakers tied together Clinton’s campaign message of “stronger together.”
Biden was welcomed with a standing ovation by the friendly crowd at the community college and told the crowd he is “more optimistic about the position that America is in today than any time in my life.”
“We know we have to have the best educated public; we know we have to have the infrastructure in the world; and we know we have to have the best infrastructure in the world,” the vice president told the crowd. He made reference to Clinton’s plans to grow the economy, improve education and boost sustainable energy sources.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Biden appeared to get heated while taking issue with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s praises of China. The vice president slammed the podium several times to emphasis his point that America was a global leader.
“The idea, the idea they can compete and own the 21st century compared to us is bizarre,” Biden said. “I’m so tired of hearing people run down America’s capacity.”
Biden went on to say American’s were “incredible people.”
During the middle of his speech, Biden took note of American innovation and the companies coming out of Silicon Valley. He said American innovation is spurred forward by the aggressive venture investments – noting his friend Senator Bernie Sanders might not agree – and capitalism. At one point, Biden praised immigrants and their contribution to society.
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On the topic of outsourcing, Biden said more jobs are returning from overseas, telling students more jobs are coming to America.
When Biden spoke, he praised the institution of the community college, mentioning their flexibility and affordable nature in getting an education to all who want one.
The speech focused on mainly domestic issues but did bring up some international issues.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Within the next year, Biden predicted, ISIS will be removed from its Middle East strongholds.
Biden, who served as a longtime senator from Delaware before being elected vice president, quickly pivoted back to the election after briefly talking about international affairs.
“I know some of the people you’re trying to convince aren’t crazy about Hillary. I think she’s got an unfair deal,” he told the crowd.
“Hillary knows what has to be done,” Biden said. “The deal is that Hillary is the only candidate that has what it takes to seize the opportunities afforded to us.”
Biden wrapped up his speech by pleading for anyone not yet registered to sign up to vote.
“We’ve never had a president who won by appealing to fear,” Biden said. “That can’t happen.”
Biden urged the crowd to vote for Clinton and make sure they are registered in time of the October 11 state deadline.
“Don’t wake up on November 9 and find out that we lost Pennsylvania by 2,000 votes,” he said, asking the audience to remember former Al Gore’s slim loss to George W. Bush in 2000.
A member of the crowd yelled “malarkey” as Biden spoke of Trump’s statement that global climate change was a hoax. The vice president made light of the term that has gained him publicly for his use of the phrase “a bunch of malarkey.”
While Biden tackled a number of issues, the warm-up speakers were steadfast in their support of Clinton.
Biden along Mill Street in Bristol.
Credit: Joseph Nocito
During her speech, Davis said: “I’m not asking you to vote for [Hillary Clinton] because she’s a woman. I’m asking you to vote for her because she represents everyone.”
Following the speech, Biden took time to shake hands and take selfies with supporters before being interviewed by 6abc anchor Jim Gardner in a private classroom.
With a Philadelphia police helicopter overhead and SWAT operators in tow, Biden’s motorcade went from the community college campus on Veterans Highway (Route 413) to Mill Street in Bristol Borough.
Outside Clinton’s Bristol campaign office, the vice president was surrounded by a gaggle of supporters and security before departing the area.
