Biden kicks off in NH

Democratic Senator Joe Biden of Delaware spoke in Manchester, NH Tuedsay night while fund raising for Manchester Mayor Bob Baines. At the event, Biden expressed his discontent with the popular view that Democrats are “disconnected from where [they] grew up.” He went on to say that, “We used to get those middle-class votes, [but the Republicans] convinced the American people, enough of them, that we are out of touch, that we don't believe in God, that we only care about gays and we don't have any connection with ordinary folks." And to cheers, he added, "And I want to tell you I'm sick and tired of it."

Biden also commented on the plans of some members of his party to move the first Democratic primaries out of Iowa and New Hampshire. He said to do so would prove to be “a big mistake.”

Biden is the only one of the possible candidates to announce that he intends to run for the White House in 2008. He made the announcement last summer. However, at the Manchester event he seemed to have reservations about the campaign. He said that he was traveling around to find out if anyone in American, other than himself, thinks he should be president. Either way, Biden claimed, a Democrat needs to get elected this time around.

In addition to Biden, both Massachusetts Senator and 2004 Democratic Presidential Nominee John Kerry and Indiana Democratic Senator Evan Bayh are visiting Manchester this week to show their support for Mayor Baines. All three of these men (Biden, Kerry, and Bayh) are reportedly considering a run for the White House in 2008. According to PoliticsNH.com, Biden's trip to New Hampshire makes him the eighth potential Democratic candidate to visit the state.