Biden Says Democratic Base Needs to Stop Whining’
Updated: 7:01 p.m.
Vice President Joseph Biden on Monday defended President Barack Obama’s efforts to move the country forward and said the Democratic base needs to “stop whining” and start rallying for its party.
During a private fundraiser in Manchester, N.H., Biden told a group of about 200 Democratic activists and donors that Obama has done “an incredible job” as president and “kept his promises” to deliver on key priorities for the party, according to pool reports.
Biden said he understands that voters are angry and that they will “take it out on those who are in office.” But Democrats need to “remind our base constituency to stop whining and get out there and look at the alternatives” to Obama’s agenda, he added.
Liberal groups fired back at Biden and warned that the White House is already on thin ice with its base of supporters.
“The professional left’ is busting our butt to mobilize progressive voters in 2010, picking up the ball that this White House dropped when they refused to fight for the overwhelmingly popular public option, refused to break up the big banks and demobilized Obama voters who expected this president to at least fight for big change,” said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
Liberals unsuccessfully rallied to include a government-run insurance option, or a public option, in this year’s health care overhaul. They were also disappointed that the administration did not push to break up large banks as part of the financial regulatory overhaul.
Green said the PCCC is organizing 500,000 calls to voters by Election Day. In addition, the group recently raised more than $100,000 to help Ann McLane Kuster win the Democratic primary in New Hampshire’s 2nd district against Katrina Swett, who previously was the presidential campaign co-chair for Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.).
“You’re welcome, Joe Biden, for helping to get the more electable Democrat who actually excites voters to be the Democratic nominee instead of a lame corporate stooge. How’s Blanche Lincoln working out?” Green asked, referring to the moderate Democratic Senator from Arkansas, who is locked in a tight race.
