Biden on Trump: “He has no clue, period” (audio)

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Vice President Joe Biden takes the stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention

Vice President Joe Biden takes the stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention

Vice President Joe Biden delivered a rousing speech declaring Donald Trump unfit to be president and bringing the crowd to its feet in support of Hillary Clinton.

While he did spend time building up Hillary Clinton’s credentials as the Democratic nominee, Biden got the biggest reaction when he went on the offensive against Republican nominee Donald Trump.

“He’s trying to tell us he cares about the middle class? Give me a break. That’s a bunch of malarkey,” Biden said, using the phrase that’s become his trademark. Biden went on to paint Trump as out of touch with the middle class. “He has no clue about what makes America great,” Biden said. He added, “Actually, he has no clue, period.” That was met with delegates chanting “Not a clue” for the next 35 seconds.

Biden quieted the crowd to deliver his fiercest blows. “No major party nominee in the history of this nation has ever known less or has been less prepared to deal with our national security,” Biden said.

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The Vice President delivered a quintessential Biden speech Wednesday night, and it may have been the last major speech of his time in office. Delaware delegates were quick to point out that even after he leaves the VP’s office, we won’t have seen the last of Joe Biden.

As he announced Delaware’s votes for Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton Tuesday night, Delaware Congressman John Carney proudly declared Biden “our favorite son and our beloved Vice President.” While hoping Tim Kaine will be the next VP, Delaware delegates aren’t ready to let go of Joe Biden just yet.

“No administration, Democratic or Republican, is not going to find a way of using somebody with his talent and experience and just plain guts,” said state Democratic Party chair John Daniello. “Joe’s going to be around politically for a long time.”

“I don’t think he’s done,” said New Castle delegate Erik Raser-Schramm of Biden’s future. “There’s a lot more he can do whether it be party politics or the initiatives he’s working with Beau’s legacy fighting cancer…It’s the beginning of his next journey.”

For Delaware superdelegate Lisa Goodman, the thought of hearing Biden’s speech Wednesday was bittersweet. “No one in Delaware has done what he has done in politics. No one has fought for the kind of causes that he believes in,” Goodman said. “He’s been an honest and authentic voice in Washington his whole life and we’re going to be watching with tears in our eyes both of sadness and of pride.”

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