In Va., Biden Praises Rival's Speech, Says Key Issues Weren't Addressed

Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D) greets supporters as he takes the stage in Virginia Beach. He also spoke at George Mason University's Prince William County campus yesterday. (By Gary C. Knapp -- Associated Press)

Members of the audience asked Biden about immigration, teacher pay and health insurance. Sarah McAbee, 26, an Oakton resident who studies and works at George Mason, challenged Biden to explain how Democrats could deliver tax relief while also trimming the deficits, which have grown during the Bush administration, and boosting the sagging dollar.

Biden said, "The tax cut we're proposing is considerably less in terms of dollars than extending or making permanent the president's existing tax cuts, which is what [McCain] is proposing." He said the cost of extending the tax cuts is $1 trillion.

Because the forum focused on economic issues, the war in Iraq came up only a few times in passing. But the applause was loudest whenever Biden mentioned the war and his party's pledge to end it.

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, who is a national co-chair for the Obama campaign, introduced Biden and took a few shots at McCain, saying, "We can't afford to put somebody in the White House who says, 'Well, I think there's been a lot of progress, and I don't know much about economics anyway.' That would be risky.''

Kaine said he believes that the Obama-Biden ticket has a good chance at not only winning in November but also carrying Virginia, which has not backed a Democrat for the White House since 1964.

Biden listened as five Virginians told of their troubles coping with the collapse in housing values or with serious medical problems. Biden was loose and relaxed, walking the stage tieless with a microphone. Several times he made wisecracks about his own age -- 65 -- and his long service in the Senate.

"Most of you expected me to come out with a walker," Biden said before pointing out that he although only four senators have more seniority, 44 are older than he is.