Research Briefing

Will The “Campaigner-In-Chief” Find Time To

Talk Jobs Plans With His Party’s South Carolina Senate Candidate?

“Vice President Joe Biden will attend a fundraiser in Columbia next week for South Carolina's longest-serving congressman. … Biden is [also] speaking at the dedication of the new Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library at the University of South Carolina.” (“VP Biden Attending Spratt Fundraiser In SC,” The Associated Press, 7/21/10)

IN SOUTH CAROLINA, DEM SENATE CANDIDATE ALVIN GREENE HAS STIMULUS PROPOSAL OF HIS OWN – WILL JOE BIDEN LISTEN?

“Alvin Greene's Jobs Strategy: Sell Alvin Greene Dolls” (Jillian Rayfield, Talking Points Memo, 7/7/10)

• Greene Told Paper Possible Job Plan Could Be To Manufacture “Little Dolls” Of Himself.  “Another thing we can do for jobs is make toys of me, especially for the holidays. Little dolls. Me. Like maybe little action dolls. Me in an army uniform, air force uniform, and me in my suit. They can make toys of me and my vehicle, especially for the holidays and Christmas for the kids. That's something that would create jobs. So you see I think out of the box like that. It's not something a typical person would bring up. That's something that could happen, that makes sense. It's not a joke." (Ed Pilkington, “Alvin Greene: America's Most Unlikely Politician,” Guardian (London), 7/6/10)

Biden Has The Time To Fundraise For Rep. John Spratt, Surely He Could Make Time For Greene. “Vice President Joe Biden will headline a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. John Spratt next week during a visit to Columbia… Biden will be in town July 23 to help dedicate the new Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library at the University of South Carolina. … An afternoon fundraiser for Spratt will take place at the South Carolina State Museum, the York Democrat's office confirmed late Tuesday.” (Matt Garfield, “VP Biden To Give SC's Spratt A Hand,” Herald Online, 7/14/10)

AFTER ALL, BIDEN IS WHITE HOUSE “CAMPAIGNER-IN-CHIEF”

Vice President Biden Is White House’s “Campaigner-In-Chief,” Attending Over 100 Campaign Events. “Vice President Joe Biden has quietly taken over the role of campaigner-in-chief while President Barack Obama has juggled two wars, the national economic recovery and the biggest oil spill in U.S. history… Biden has participated in nearly 100 campaign events for Democratic candidates this election cycle.” (Alexander Bolton, “Biden Takes On Role As Campaigner-In-Chief,” The Hill, 7/9/10)

Biden “Not Shy” About Helping Out In Midterm Races And Appearing At Fundraisers. “Biden hasn't been shy about helping out in House races, appearing at fundraisers for late-Rep. Murtha staffer Mark Critz (D) in PA-12 and Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO). ‘There is no question that Vice President Biden has been very helpful on the campaign trail and we look forward to him preparing even more in the next six months,’ said DCCC spokesperson Ryan Rudominer.” (Sean Sullivan, “Biden Hits Campaign Trail For Vulnerable Dems,” National Journal’s “Hotline On Call” Blog, 5/12/10)

White House’s 2010 Strategy Has Biden “Crisscross The Country, Paying Special Attention To Working-Class Districts.” “While Obama raises money and tries to rekindle key elements of his 2008 coalition, Biden will crisscross the country, paying special attention to working-class districts that may be more receptive to his blue-collar persona. As the president sells the larger economic message — recovery is on the way, once his programs have time to work — Biden will cast the policies in more personal terms… For months, Biden has been on tour promoting the $800-billion stimulus package, making the point that local projects are succeeding, even if the overall stimulus is unpopular.” (Peter Nicholas and Christi Parsons, “Obama's Task For Midterm Election: Recapture 2008 Magic,” The Los Angeles Times, 7/13/10)