Biden Tells NAACP Obama Stands By Convictions
HOUSTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden rallied support for President Barack Obama before the nation's largest civil rights organization on Thursday, declaring that Republican challenger Mitt Romney's election-year agenda would hurt — not help — working families in the black community.
Biden drew cheers as he credited Obama for championing a landmark health care law, launching the mission that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and stepping in to rescue the financial system and U.S. automakers General Motors and Chrysler.
"He has put country first," Biden said.
Biden addressed the NAACP convention a day after Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said he'd do more for African-Americans than Obama, the nation's first black president. Romney was booed when he said he'd repeal Obama's sweeping health care reform law but otherwise got a polite reception as he reached out to a traditionally Democratic voting bloc.
The vice president never specifically cited Romney's argument that he could serve blacks better than Obama, choosing instead to dissect Romney's policy proposals and make the case that the Republican's agenda would hurt black families. Biden outlined differences between Obama and Romney on health care, education, energy, women's rights and research, saying the two rivals had "fundamentally different visions."
"I believe this election will come down to character, conviction and vision. And it will not surprise you — I don't think it's even a close call," Biden said. "So it's time, it's time for the NAACP to do what it's always done ... To stand up. Make our case. Stand our ground. And make real our vision for America."
Obama did not speak to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People this year, appearing instead in a taped video message. In the brief remarks, Obama said: "I stand on your shoulders and at the NAACP you have always believed in the American promise." He reiterated many of the themes of his re-election campaign, saying the nation needs to "build an economy where everyone can have the confidence that the hard work will also pay off."
The president said he was sorry he couldn't be there in person. Obama had no public events scheduled Thursday but was to be interviewed at the White House, along with first lady Michelle Obama, by Charlie Rose of CBS News.
White House officials noted that Obama spoke to the NAACP convention during the 2008 presidential campaign and in 2009, while Mrs. Obama spoke to the group in 2010. The president is scheduled to address the National Urban League in New Orleans on July 25.
Black voters are a key part of Obama's re-election strategy, with about 95 percent supporting him in 2008. Polls have shown black voters supporting Obama at comparable levels this year but Romney could undercut the president in states such as North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio and Florida, all of which have large black communities, if he can persuade some black voters to support him or if they stay home on Election Day.
Romney said Wednesday that much more must be done to improve education in the nation's cities and noted that the 14.4 percent unemployment rate among blacks is higher than the 8.2 percent national average.
"If you understood who I truly am in my heart, and if it were possible to fully communicate what I believe is in the real, enduring best interest of African-American families, you would vote for me for president," Romney said.
In Obama's absence, Biden offered a fiery defense of administration policies while warning of what a Romney presidency would bring to civil rights. He asked attendees to "imagine" what the Justice Department would be like under a Romney administration and "imagine when his senior adviser on the Constitution is Robert Bork," the Republican Supreme Court nominee who was defeated by Democrats in 1987. Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time.
Biden received sustained applause throughout his address. When he spoke about civil rights and administration efforts to expand voting rights and not diminish them, the crowd stood up and loudly cheered. When Biden said, "Did you think we'd be fighting these battles again?" people in the crowd answered in unison, "No."
Biden said there was a lot more he could say on protecting voting rights but that he was "preaching to the choir." ''Say it, say it," many in the crowded responded. As Biden was wrapping up, he said, "Let me close, my friends," prompting members of the audience to boo and yell, "No!"
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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