Biden For Sherrill In NJ-11: ‘We Can’t Afford A Trump Acolyte’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is sick and tired of being sick and tired. And when he looks around at the current political climate, it’s “not the America he knows.”

These were some of the politically charged comments that Biden – who served with Barack Obama and has considered his own presidential run in 2020 – gave during a speaking appearance on Wednesday at Montclair State University to support Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill.

Some of Biden’s 36-minute speech was dedicated to extolling Sherrill, a Navy veteran, former prosecutor and mother of four who is running to replace soon-to-retire U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, which includes parts of Morris, Essex, Sussex and Passaic counties.

• See related article: Joe Biden To Stump For Sherrill In Montclair; Pence Picks Webber

Biden also took the opportunity to stress that November's midterms are "the most important election any of us have voted in.”

The former vice president took a veiled shot at Sherrill’s main opponent, Republican Jay Webber, saying that the region “can’t afford another Trump acolyte in the House [of Representatives].”

“There’s a reason we have to elect Mikie and so many like [her],” Biden urged a packed hall of Sherrill supporters.

Webber, who clinched the GOP nomination during June’s primary election, fired back at Biden with a series of Twitter posts:

• “I wonder if @JoeBiden will open today's rally with @MikieSherrill by talking about today's youth unemployment at a 52-year low?”
• “Perhaps @JoeBiden will mention our Q2 GDP growth of 4.2% at @MikieSherrill's rally?”
• “I'm certain @JoeBiden won't mention the Obama-Biden economy that forced a generation of college students home to their childhood bedrooms amidst a stagnant economy and high unemployment.”
• “Sorry, Uncle Joe. Things are hardly bleak. Youth unemployment is at a 52-year low. Consumer confidence is at a nearly 20-year high. Our policies work and make New Jersey better.”

Biden also implored his GOP peers to “screw up their courage” when it comes to standing up for beliefs that may go against their party’s platform. He pointed out that many Republicans reached across the aisle during the Watergate scandal to help “take down” Richard Nixon.

“Where are they now?” Biden asked to a round of applause.

Biden added that he respects his GOP peers, but feels that many of them may remain silent because they’re afraid if they act against the party line they’ll be “isolated.”

• See related article: Mike Pence Stumps For Republican Jay Webber In NJ-11
• See related article: 5 Questions With Your 11th District Candidates, Webber & Sherrill

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