It was the day after the State of the Union on CBS’s Early Show.

Vice President Biden was talking about his work in heading up the oversight taskforce of the stimulus funds. (Heading it up.)

The journalists at CBS gave him a little heat over his “Web Site Blunder” at the end of his talk and for his suggestion that people with stimulus package questions call his office directly. What they didn’t really address was his more important answer to the small business owners of America.
 
A question from a small business owner who had to lay off most of her staff last year…

“What I'm looking for are real clear details about how is the stimulus package really going to help small businesses.”

Being a part of a ‘small business’ myself (and a taxpayer), I’m excited to listen.

Biden: Well, there's a number of ways. It depends on what your business is. I would recommend that woman call my office directly and I will be able to guide her as to how what pieces of this package would be directly helpful to her.

[Um... Really, Joe?]

For example, it may very well be that she's in a circumstance where she is not able, her customers aren't able to get to her, there's no transit capability, the bridge going across the creek to get to her business needs repair.

[A bridge… across the creek… needs repair?]

It may very well be that she's in a position where she is unable to access, her energy costs are so high, by providing smart meters, by being able to bring down the cost of her workforce, I mean the cost of operating her business.

[What?]

But most importantly, where it's mainly going to come for the business people is getting credit flowing again. She probably has trouble maintaining inventory and paying salaries and that's because we gotta get the bank credit flowing and that's a second issue that the president spoke to.

But we're going to be very very demanding of the banks as we help them. We're going to demand that they act responsibly.

[Really? You’re going to ask them to work longer hours 6 - 7 days a week (like so many small businesses do to keep going) and not hoard the cash you (we) give them? And they’re going to do it?]

But she should call me directly.

[No… she shouldn’t.]

At the end of the talk, the journalist asked…

By the way, do you know the website [where people can “follow the money”]?

Biden: You know, I'm embarrassed.

You know the website number? (he asked of someone off camera) You know, I should have it in front of me and I don't. I'm actually embarrassed.

Journalist: I'm going to call your office later and get it.

Biden: Excuse me. It’s recovery.gov.

In his Inaugural address, the president inspired me with his call for initiative and responsibility.

That’s what’ll stimulate things. You… me… digging in, working harder, caring more, creating value in the world. Truth.

(fake money and bridges over creeks aren’t the solution)

tgim