Biden's assets

[shelly3girls]

I did not watch the whole debate and was somewhat distracted even when it was on the TV so I was hoping someone could clarify something.

Biden- I understand what it's like. I'm much better off than almost all Americans now. I get a good salary with the United States Senate. I live in a beautiful house that's my total investment that I have. So I -- I am much better off now.

Do you think he honestly means that his house is his only investment or am I misinterpreting this statement? I find it really hard to believe that someone his age would not have numerous investments unless he squandered away all his money. I want to believe that someone running for VP would handle his money well so this statement did not sit well with me.

 

[mickeysgal]

I think it was a rather poor attempt to act his way into making people think that he knows how it is to be a regular everyday kind of guy. He really looked like he was faking it too much and it came off badly, in my opinion.

 

[Anewman]

I think it was a rather poor attempt to act his way into making people think that he knows how it is to be a regular everyday kind of guy. He really looked like he was faking it too much and it came off badly, in my opinion.

Is that really your take on him saying he is "better off than most"

 

[okeydokey]

I believe Joe Biden's net woth is around $300,000, far less than the other 3 candidates. He is not terrible wealthy.

 

[chisnpeke]

I believe Joe Biden's net woth is around $300,000, far less than the other 3 candidates. He is not terrible wealthy.

Yep...he is one of the few politicians that isn't a millionare.

 

[Anewman]

I believe Joe Biden's net worth is around $300,000, far less than the other 3 candidates. He is not terrible wealthy.

Annual Salary of over $160k
With 20 plus years of service he is going to get at about 80% of that salary for the rest of his life.


Since he is a Democrat and not a multi-millionaire some will interpret that to mean he squandered his money. But if he was republican, it would mean he did not sell out.

 

[smartestnumber5]

Yep, according to this article, Biden has very little net worth (I don't think this article includes the value of his home):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/24/AR2007032400305_pf.html

 

[mickeysgal]

Is that really your take on him saying he is "better off than most"

To me, I think he tried to identify too hard with the average American and to me, it didn't come off as sincere. Then he finished with the I am now better off than most due to his government job (and benefits).

 

[shelly3girls]

I believe Joe Biden's net woth is around $300,000, far less than the other 3 candidates. He is not terrible wealthy.

Wow, that is extremely disturbing to me. Someone his age making over $300,000/year only has a net worth of that. I looked up his tax returns and even 10 years ago he made over $200,000. I realize he will get a pension but this seems completely irresponsible to me. What about taking responsibility and funding your own retirement? What am I missing here? There must be something I don't realize.

 

[rie'smom]

Biden's house is worth $2.5 million. I don't know too many in the middle class who own homes worth that much money.

 

[gmboy95]

You can see for yourself....Bidens Tax returns are now public record

 

[FayeW]

I did not watch the whole debate and was somewhat distracted even when it was on the TV so I was hoping someone could clarify something.

Biden- I understand what it's like. I'm much better off than almost all Americans now. I get a good salary with the United States Senate. I live in a beautiful house that's my total investment that I have. So I -- I am much better off now.

Do you think he honestly means that his house is his only investment or am I misinterpreting this statement? I find it really hard to believe that someone his age would not have numerous investments unless he squandered away all his money. I want to believe that someone running for VP would handle his money well so this statement did not sit well with me.

Are you saying that you expect the candidates to have a minimum net worth before you will vote for him????

Joe Biden lost something very precious to him, something that I only pray that I never have to go through. Maybe he looks at life a little differently than some of the others. Maybe he sees his remaining family, and his life of service to America as his greatest assets. Maybe he celebrates every day of his life that he didn't lose his entire family and had a second chance at happiness. Maybe he spends his money to enjoy his life with them. I hear he takes the train home every night to be with his family. He obviously considers his investment in them more important than growing his bank account. I'd say he is a politican who has his priorities straight.

As fans of Douglas Adams might say...there's a frood who really knows where his towel is.

 

[Goofyluver]

To me, I think he tried to identify too hard with the average American and to me, it didn't come off as sincere. Then he finished with the I am now better off than most due to his government job (and benefits).

Just a question...but why was he "trying to identify too hard with the average American" and Sarah Palin wasn't?

She repeatedly stated she was just an "average Joe"...and played up her "average American" status.

As for him saying he is "now better off than most" I think he was correctly putting into perspective his current lifestyle. If he had said "I'm hurting...I'm broke" we would have all questioned his sanity. IMO...he was being honest.

 

[shelly3girls]

Annual Salary of over $160k
With 20 plus years of service he is going to get at about 80% of that salary for the rest of his life.


Since he is a Democrat and not a multi-millionaire some will interpret that to mean he squandered his money. But if he was republican, it would mean he did not sell out.

But in 2007 he reported an income of over $300,000. I do not care what political party someone belongs to this just seems reckless to me. I am half his age and have more assets than he does. I am sure he counts on income from things other than his pension. I guess his financial beliefs are just not in line with mine. I see this as spend, spend, spend.

 

[DawnCt1]

Wow, that is extremely disturbing to me. Someone his age making over $300,000/year only has a net worth of that. I looked up his tax returns and even 10 years ago he made over $200,000. I realize he will get a pension but this seems completely irresponsible to me. What about taking responsibility and funding your own retirement? What am I missing here? There must be something I don't realize.

I agree. But before we get out the pencil cup and pass it around for collection, I thought that this article was interesting. He may be better off than he would have us believe.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS02/809060343/1007

 

[gmboy95]

Biden's house is worth $2.5 million. I don't know too many in the middle class who own homes worth that much money.

Biden bought the land for his home for $350,000, and built his house for $600,000....he has a $700,000 mortgage, and I do believ he stated he was better off then most americans.....what exactly is this post about???.....Once again you can see his tax returns along with his wife

You cant however see Cindy Mccains tax returns

 

[Goofyluver]

I agree. But before we get out the pencil cup and pass it around for collection, I thought that this article was interesting. He may be better off than he would have us believe.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS02/809060343/1007

I'm not sure how your post applies to the statements that Biden in fact made yesterday during the debate.

He NEVER referred to himself as hard up, financially insecure...anything of the sort.

He in fact said he was better off than many Americans.

 

[Anewman]

Wow, that is extremely disturbing to me. Someone his age making over $300,000/year only has a net worth of that. I looked up his tax returns and even 10 years ago he made over $200,000. I realize he will get a pension but this seems completely irresponsible to me. What about taking responsibility and funding your own retirement? What am I missing here? There must be something I don't realize.

What could be missing is facts... Just cuz we read on the internet that his net worth is $50, does not make it a FACT. There are plenty of investments that might not be factored to give an accurate NET worth.

Biden is as he stated, better off than most Americans.

If he is not Rich, irresponsible investor
If he is Rich, cant identify with the average joe

 

[bsnyder]

Annual Salary of over $160k
With 20 plus years of service he is going to get at about 80% of that salary for the rest of his life.


Since he is a Democrat and not a multi-millionaire some will interpret that to mean he squandered his money. But if he was republican, it would mean he did not sell out.

Part of his "working class" shtick is that he rides the train home to Delaware from DC every day.

But the train he rides is not a regular commuter train, it's Amtrak's Acela Express.

A first class ticket from Wilmington to Washington’s Union Station runs $111. That’s $222 a day. $1,110 a week. $57,720 a year.

The median household income in the United States in 2007 was $50,233. In other words, Joe Biden’s “regular guy” commute costs more every day than the typical American family earns, before taxes.

Not sure if we, the taxpayers, pick up that tab for his commute. But if he pays for it himself, perhaps that explains why he hasn't managed to accumulate many assets. Which doesn't give me much faith in his financial common sense.

 

[rie'smom]

Biden bought the land for his home for $350,000, and built his house for $600,000....he has a $700,000 mortgage, and I do believ he stated he was better off then most americans.....what exactly is this post about???.....Once again you can see his tax returns along with his wife

You cant however see Cindy Mccains tax returns

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS02/809060343/1007
Local real estate agents said the Biden property is worth at least $2.5 million
What he paid for it doesn't determine it's worth.

Why should Cindy McCain release her tax records, she isn't running for president.

Since you brought up records, Obama won't release and he is running for POTUS:

1. Occidental College records -- Not released
2. Columbia College records -- Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper -- 'not available'
4. Harvard College records -- Not released
5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
6. Medical records -- Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
8. Law practice client list -- Not released
9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
13. Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
14. Illinois State Senate records--'not available'
15 His medical records