Biden Stumps in Chicago for Quinn

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by Wendell A. LaGrand

Vice President Joe Biden was in Chicago last week campaigning for Illinois Governor

Pat Quinn. During a Putting Illinois to Work (PIW) Rally, Biden told several hundred

union workers at the Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Local 130 that, These guys are

playing for keeps. This is for all the marbles man... they did pretty well while the rest of

us suffered, he said, in blasting Republicans.

Vice President Joe Biden was in Chicago last week campaigning for Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

During a Putting Illinois to Work (PIW) Rally, Biden told several hundred union workers at the Chicago Journeyman Plumbers

Local 130 that, These guys are playing for keeps. This is for all the marbles man... they did pretty well while the rest of us suffered, he said, in blasting Republicans.

When Biden stepped on stage inside the building, located on 1340 W. Washington Blvd, it was filled with energized union members, public officials and others as green, black and gold signs waved and chants of, We need jobs, rang out.

The vice president criticized the policies of former president George W. Bush, and the poor record of the Republican Party in balancing the national and Illinois state budgets and he accused the party of blocking legislation.

Dont let them tell you about balancing the budget. They have never, never, never, never, balanced the budget, Biden said repeatedly to the joy and cheering of a somewhat raucous crowd, adding that, He [Brady] says hes going to cut 10 percent off school, fire, police [budgets]; that type of anti-middle class has been par for the course, he said. I dont know

where these guys were raised, Biden stated.

The Vice President was there to also rally support for other Democrats, including Senator, Dick Durbin, Congressman

Danny K. Davis, Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois and Secretary of State, Jessie White.

Mayor Richard Daley was on hand as well as several union officials to greet the vice president, who is canvassing the country to support his party leading up to the November 2 election. Im confident Pat Quinn is the right choice, Biden said to a roaring crowd. Quinn who is in a tight race for governor with Republican nominee, Senator Bill Brady said, Weve gotta get our people to vote. Its our job to stand forward, make sure we get all our people to the polls. We believe in helping people. This is the

most important election we are ever going to be involved in. Im gonna fight hard for people who work from paycheck to pay check, the governor said.

Earlier during the event Tiffany Henyard, a small business owner who benefited from an extension of the PIW was invited by Quinn to speak.(PIW) helps you to grow your business. It gives you and your business the reliable help you need to survive. With the Put Illinois to Work program doors open, there is more opportunity, she said.

Octavia Jones, who was hired by Henyard through the PIW program said, I had never had a job. Every time I went to any employer they said no, Im not hiring, when I went to Tiffany, she gave me a chance. If it were not for him [Quinn], a lot of people wouldnt be employed, Jones said.

Quinn also acknowledged the PIW program would not have been possible without the help of President Obama saying, I want to

be the Jobs governor. We would not be able to put all these people to work had it not been for our president. Barack Obama led the charge to raise minimum wage, Quinn told the cheering, shouting supporters inside the near West Side facility.

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