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Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – Yesterday, Vice President Biden and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy campaigned together in Orlando at Chef Eddie’s Restaurant.
The Vice President reiterated his strong support for Patrick stating, “we need people in the Senate who can bring people together,” and that Patrick is the “the real deal.” Both President Barack Obama and Vice President endorsed Patrick in early March.
Biden described the Jupiter congressman as “the real deal” and a “raw talent.”
Speaking to reporters briefly, Biden addressed the contentious Democratic primary in which Murphy faces fellow U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson — whose Orlando-based district was just three miles to the east.
“It wasn’t about Alan; it was about the caliber of this guy,” Biden said. “We need people in the Senate who can bring people together.”
(Grayson, known nationally as a progressive firebrand, isn’t afraid to say bluntly how he feels about other politicians, even within his own party.)
Biden reflected on his own time in the U.S. Senate — saying how getting to know colleagues across the aisle was more effective and made it “hard to demonize” opponents.
Orlando Sentinel: Biden campaigns for Murphy at Chef Eddie’s in Orlando
Biden, who was in town for the Invictus Games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, circled the crowded Parramore neighborhood restaurant while shaking hands, talking one-on-one with patrons and talking about his support of Murphy, D-Jupiter, over local congressman Alan Grayson for the Senate nomination.
“I’m happy to be out campaigning for Patrick Murphy,” Biden said, joking about the 33-year-old congressman that “by the way, he’s an old guy. I got elected [to the Senate] when I was 29.”
“I think I’ve only endorsed, in the primaries, three candidates,” said Biden. “But it wasn’t about Alan. It was about the caliber of this guy.”
Both President Obama and Biden endorsed Murphy for the Democratic Senate nomination in March. Biden also campaigned with Murphy later that month in South Florida…
Palm Beach Post: Joe Biden campaigns with Patrick Murphy on Democratic rival Alan Grayson’s turf
Liberal firebrand Grayson was told by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid on Wednesday that “I want you to lose” after Grayson confronted Reid at a Congressional Progressive Caucus meeting in Washington.
Today, Vice President Joe Biden headlined a fundraiser for Murphy in the Orlando area and then campaigned with Murphy at an Orlando restaurant.
As first reported in the Politics column, Biden and President Barack Obama took the extraordinary step of endorsing Murphy over Grayson in March. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and many big-name Dems are also backing Murphy, who’s perceived to have a better shot of winning a general election.
Grayson is publicly embracing the scorn, calling the Democratic establishment “our Party Politburo” and tweeting: “I welcome their hatred.”
Five Republicans are running to replace Sen. Marco Rubio, who isn’t seeking re-election after pursuing a failed presidential bid.