Conservative Group Unveils Biden's Family Voting Record
Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware in many ways is different than his Democratic running mate Sen. Barack Obama, but a conservative advocacy group shows that on key pro-family issue the two are very much on the same page.
Biden, who was introduced to the nation as Obama's vice presidential pick on Saturday, is a strong supporter of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, Family Research Council highlighted in its fact sheet on Biden.
"I strongly support Roe v. Wade ... That's why I led the fight to defeat Bork, Roberts Alito, and Thomas," Biden had said at the South Carolina Democratic primary debate on April 26, 2008.
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The six-term Delaware senator also voted against parental notification of minors seeking out-of-state abortions.
However, unlike Obama, he supported the partial birth abortion ban in 1999 (not the one that became law in the 108th Congress) that sought to make a form of late-term abortion illegal.
Biden is also an ally of Planned Parenthood, voting in 2005 to increase funding to the pro-abortion group and similar clinics by $100 million.
Earlier in the year, Biden was actually Obama's rival as he sought the party's presidential nomination. But he dropped out after the Iowa caucuses in Jan. 3. He also ran for president in 1988 but withdrew after he was accused of plagiarizing a speech.
He is currently chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and is said to be chosen to run with Obama, among other reasons, for his foreign policy experience.
On Iraq, Biden differs from Obama. While Obama has made his opposition to the Iraq war clear in his campaign, Biden voted in October 2002 for the final resolution authorizing military action.
Biden's son, Joseph Robinette Biden III – Delaware's attorney general – will be deployed in October to Iraq.
"I don't want him going," Biden told an Iowa state fair crowd a year ago. "But I don't want my grandsons or granddaughters going back in 15 years. So how we leave makes a big difference," according to WorldNetDaily.
On the domestic issues of marriage and the homosexual agenda, the Delaware senator voted against the marriage protection amendment that would define marriage as between a man and woman in 2006.
He also voted in favor of the Federal Hate Crimes Act that would add gender identity or sexual orientation to the list of hate crimes with federal punishment that originally included race, color, religion, national origin, and gender.
Biden received 0 percent on the FRC Action Scorecard for the current 110th Congress, which rates congressmen based on their voting records on issues affecting the family.
However, he received 100 percent in the Planned Parenthood Scorecard and 100 percent in Americans United Scorecard for the 109th Congress. He was given an F grade from the National Taxpayers Union Congressional Rating and an F grade from National Rifle Association.
Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain on Saturday complimented Obama's running mate selection. McCain called Biden a "good selection" and "a good friend."
"Joe and I have been friends for many, many years, and we know each other very well, and so I think [Obama's] made a very wise selection," McCain said on CBS Evening News.
"I know that Joe will campaign well for Senator Obama, and so I think he's going to be very formidable. Obviously, Joe and I have been on different philosophical sides, but we have been - I consider him a good friend and a good man."
As for McCain's VP pick, he has not decided, according to GOP officials. Potential running mates for McCain include former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
McCain is expected to announce his running mate after the Democratic National Convention.
