Biden campaigns at downtown Toledo library
Vice president stumping for Clinton at main branch's rooftop garden
10/24/2016
Vice President Joe Biden takes a selfie with supporters after his speech.
The Blade/Lori King
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U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, during a campaign stop today in Toledo for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, argued the 2016 election has been "dumbed-down" by the GOP nominee and he has forced the media to concentrate on antics that include accusations of groping women.
"What frustrates me about this election ... Trump has so dumbed-down this election," Mr. Biden said.
The vice president, speaking to about 300 people gathered in a brisk breeze on the rooftop garden of the main Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, hopped from topic to topic blasting Donald Trump and Republican-fueled policies. Mrs. Clinton, he said, is far more prepared to lead the nation.
"One thing Trump has illustrated, he doesn't know anything," Mr. Biden said.
He added, "We have had candidates in the past who appeal to our fears, they never succeed."
PHOTO GALLERY: Biden campaign at Toledo-Lucas County Public Library
Mr. Biden started his remarks stumping heavily for Democratic Senate candidate Ted Strickland and later turned to blasting Donald Trump. Former Ohio Governor Strickland is challenging U.S. Sen. Rob Portman but has trailed in the polls.
The vice president praised him for his help to the automobile industry and blasted Mr. Portman.
Mr. Biden said he personally likes Mr. Portman but blasted him as the architect of Bush administration policies that he said started the Great Recession.
"For Ted and me, Medicare and Social Security is a sacred trust," Mr. Biden said. You want to change somebody's lifestyle .. go out there and reduce their Medicare - that affects how the can live."
Mr. Biden unleashed his casual and colloquial style he has become known for many years.
"Hey how are ya?" he said to cheers from the crowd of about 200 people.
Mr. Strickland, who was among several speakers before the vice president arrived, called Mr. Trump "unfit to be president."
He praised Mrs. Clinton's plan to make tuition at four-year public colleges and universities "debt free," calculated based on family income.
"Can you imagine the burden that will be taken of he backs of moms and dads... if for no other reason, the families of Ohio should embrace Hillary Clinton as our next president," Mr. Strickland said.
The vice president was introduced by Toledoan Judi Ellis, a Clinton campaign volunteer who lost her son in a drive-by shooting.
Ms. Ellis said she met then President Bill Clinton, who told her to vote to put in "the right people on every level."
"I know President Hillary Clinton will fight for your children, my grandchildren, and the children of Toledo," she said.
Mr. Biden praised Ms. Ellis for giving hope to other people who had lost a child, and he referred to his own son, Beau Biden, who died in May, 2015 after battling brain cancer for several years.
Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson was tasked with warming up the crowd gathered on the rooftop patio of the downtown library.
Mayor Hicks-Hudson, a Democrat, lauded Mrs. Clinton as the candidate who cares about families and working people and blasted Mr. Trump.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) lauded Mr. Biden for his role in securing the automobile industry
"What an example as a family man and a human being and with what he has endured with his family and continues to serve and be a role model," Miss Kaptur said.
Mr. Biden, who was a U.S. Senator from Delaware, campaigned with then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama at the library on Aug. 31, 2008 to an invitation audience of several hundred. They were running against the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin. Since appearing at the library in August, 2008, Mr. Biden has visited the Toledo area four more times as a candidate or as the vice president.
The Ohio campaign of Mr. Trump issued a statement criticizing a recent statement of Mr. Biden, as well as alleged plans for Democratic operatives to incite violence and derogatory remarks about Catholics.
“Joe Biden’s public wish for a physical altercation with Mr. Trump is beneath him, and follows what appears to be a very coordinated underground effort by Hillary Clinton and the DNC to incite violence at Trump rallies in order to generate negative news coverage against Mr. Trump. As a practicing Catholic, Biden needs to condemn the Clinton campaign for ridiculing Catholics and trying to pressure bishops into supporting her $150 billion Iran nuclear deal, some of which will fund terrorist groups,” said Trump spokesman Seth Unger.
Mr. Biden was quoted Oct. 21 as suggesting he wanted to fight, rather than debate, Mr. Trump.
“No, I wish we were in high school— I could take him behind the gym. That’s what I wish,” he said.
Mr. Biden today remarked again that he would "get himself in trouble" for saying he's like to fight Mr. Trump.
The remarks drew laughter and applause.
Secretly filmed video from the group Project Veritas appears to show the campaign and national Democratic operatives discussing how to promote conflict with Trump supporters “and draw them to punch you.”
The Trump campaign cited two hacked emails from 2011 released by WikiLeaks between a Democratic operative and the woman who is now Mrs. Clinton’s communications director. The discussion centers on the suggestion that some conservatives are Catholics because it’s “most socially acceptable politically conservative religion.”
Mr. Trump is scheduled to appear in Toledo Thursday at the SeaGate Convention Centre.
In advance of Mr. Trump's visit to Toledo, the Clinton campaign released a statement from Toledo steelworker Randie Pearson.
“Donald Trump is not welcome here in Toledo," Ms. Pearson said. "As a steelworker, I can’t support a candidate who chooses to import Chinese steel instead of using American-made products. And as a woman, I can’t support a candidate who consistently demeans any woman who challenges or rejects him."
Mrs. Clinton has repeatedly criticized Mr. Trump for using Chinese-produced steel in his buildings.
Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy.