Joe Biden Made Me Cry
by Erin Kotecki Vest

I'm not kidding.

This afternoon I got to listen-in on a call with Senator Biden and 500 advocates, workers, victims and activists fighting domestic violence against women.

Biden helped those listening celebrate a milestone for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and it's 2 millionth call.

Biden said, "2 million have worked up the courage and the conviction to be able to come to a phone, most of the time hiding and praying to god and hoping no one hears them...they were able to call a federally funded number and they know someone will actually answer it."

Amanda Scott from Women for Obama writes, "Approximately 1,400 women a year – four every day – die in the United States as a result of domestic violence. And 132,000 women report that they have been victims of a rape or attempted rape, and it is estimated that an even greater number have been raped, but do not report it.Biden wrote and passed the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which is the strongest legislation to date that criminalizes domestic violence and other forms of violence against women, provides victims with the support they deserve, and holds batterers accountable."

Now I had known all of this about Senator Biden. I had known about him writing the Violence Against Women Act, I knew he had championed the legislation...what I wasn't prepared for was hearing him speak about women and violence like I am used to my friends speaking about women and violence. Hearing him speak like a man passionate about protecting women, empowering women.

He told me about how violence against women is society's dirtiest and ugliest secret. He told me about wishing everyone in America could sit in the call center for just a half an hour to hear what he's heard. He told me about how women initially blame themselves for the horrible acts committed against them He told me about how violence against women is a cultural issue, with people thinking it's a "private" or family matter and how WRONG that is.

Senator Joe Biden went on and on and on and on, barely taking breaths in between his words to talk about what he's seen and why he's fighting for women. Then he said if he and Senator Obama had the honor to be elected,

"I promise you, I PROMISE YOU, you will have the strongest allies you've ever, EVER had."

And I was floored.

Biden then went on to announce Obama-Biden plans for a special advisor, in their administration, IN the White House, who would report directly and regularly on violence against women, because he understands this needs sustained high level leadership on the issue. He also discussed plans for their administration to take their ideas global, and reward countries for stopping violence against women.

Today the campaign released this new video, so you can see exactly what Biden is talking about:


For more information on the National Domestic Violence Hotline, you can visit www.ndvh.org. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Erin Kotecki Vest also blogs at Queen of Spain Blog.

BlogHer is NonPartisan, but our Blogger's Aren't! Follow our coverage Politics and News.

Submitted by Erin Kotecki Vest (view blog) on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 7:45pm
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Comments

 

Thank you, Erin

...for sharing this.  Let's get him in office, okay?

Mr Lady www.whiskeyinmysippycup.com

Submitted by shanbrentris on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 20:24
 

Thanks Mr. Lady

It was a great conference call. And I really hate conference calls.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Submitted by Erin Kotecki Vest on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 08:03
 

Genuinely Joe

Thank you for the information, Erin.  Another good thing about Biden is that the issue of domestic violence didn't just pop up with him for this election.  It's not something he's talking about just to win women's votes.  He's been concerned for a long time, which is a lot more than we can say for some other politicians.  I remember the post you wrote on his choking up during the VP debate.  Some people thought his emotion wasn't genuine.  I thought it was the real thing. 

We need leaders in office who can step outside of themselves and feel compassion for the people.  This election has been so divisive, which makes it even more necessary that we elect leaders who feel for us all and who want to help America heal, to put country first truly.

Nordette is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link.  Recently at BlogHer "America's Dark Night of Soul."

Submitted by Nordette on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 08:28
 

I'm a surprising fan of Joe Biden

I have to say, I think Biden - though a dude - really IS part of Team Gal.  He's done so much to help protect women, and his commitment to such an issue shows the authenticity of his moral compass  Thanks for writing this post and showing that tough men can be feminists, too :)

 

 

Submitted by nerdette on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 12:57
 

I had honestly just learned of the extent of
his work for women

as I said in the piece...I knew...but I didn't REALLY know. Am now totally floored by his entire career and what he's done for women.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Submitted by Erin Kotecki Vest on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 13:09
 

Biden was my top pick, starting in 1/07

Here in Ohio we started doing blogger straw polls in early 2007 and Joe Biden was always at the top of my lists, always.  I blame myself for his not making it further in his nomination effort because I sat by, thinking, it will be Clinton and Ohio won't matter.  Obviously I was very wrong and I really learned my lesson: when you support someone, when you KNOW in your gut just how good a candidate will be for the times, you must push yourself to do something positive toward the goal of getting them and keeping them in the game.  I will never make that mistake again - I hope!

Great post, Erin.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

 

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 13:30
 

I was surprised how much I

I was surprised how much I liked him during the Veep debate. People describe him as earnest, steadfast, consistent, etc., but I was very pleased to see that he is a LIKEABLE person. This makes me feel even better about my already-cast absentee ballot!

 

SJ also writes at I, Asshole.

Submitted by Super Jive on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 14:27
 

Biden Can Really Deliver the Emotional Punch

At a fundraiser last Saturday, Senator Biden closed his speech with a poem by Seamus Heaney:

History says, Don't hope
On this side of the grave,
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up
And hope and history rhyme.

With this poem, Biden touched by this image and the sense of possibility that Obama brings with his candidacy.  
 

Marya Stark is a Co-Founder and the Founding Executive Director of Emerge America, the premier training program for Democratic women who want to run for public office.  She is VP, Business Development for Allegory, Inc, a leadership and communications tra

Submitted by maryastark on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 16:30
 

Joe Biden Is A Modern Man

I love me some Barack Obama, but I love Joe Biden too.

As a former single parent, Senator Biden intimately understands the challenges that women face because he's had to play both parental roles to his son.  I think he's taken his experience and understanding and turned it into action and advocacy.  Joe's service to America makes me proud to support he and Barack.

Obama-Biden 08!

Giyen

Bacon Is My Enemy

 

Submitted by Giyen on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 17:29
 

Another Reason to Like Him

I already liked him and this reinforces my good opinion of him.

http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog

Submitted by JC on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 21:42
 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Joe Biden knows that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. He stepped up to the plate and put support behind women. Real support that women will get more of if the Obama-Biden team are elected in Nov. I'm glad that Sarah Palin issued a proclamation against domestic violence in Alaska, as raising awareness of the scope of the problem is a step in the right direction. But words alone don't help, and Alaska has the highest rate of sexual assault in the nation. McCain talks about women's "health." Uh huh.

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants

Submitted by Suzanne Reisman on Thu, 10/23/2008 - 05:22
 

I fell hard for Biden

In the debate. His well-spoken, intelligent analysis of our nation's laws and support of women, his anger at the implication that only women understand parenting — it shows he is the real thing, that he is a parent. Ah, if he were just 20 years younger and single ...

For recipes and food issues and a bit of humor, visit my blog, <a href="http://expatriateskitchen.blogspot.com">Expatriate's Kitchen</a>

Submitted by ExpatChef on Thu, 10/23/2008 - 08:27