Biden: GOP on deficits is like an arsonist becoming fire marshal

Vice President Joe Biden said at a fundraiser Friday night that Republicans have “zero, zero, zero” credibility on reducing the deficit, and that such talk from the GOP was “like making an arsonist the fire marshal.”

Biden headlined the Milwaukee event for incumbent Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.), who’s in a tight reelection race with Republican Reid Ribble and state Sen. Julie Lassa, who’s running for the seat being vacated by Rep. David Obey (D).

According to the White House pool report, Biden, as well as the two candidates, joined the chorus of Democrats accusing the right of using outside groups and anonymous donors to propel campaigns.

“Why do you think the Chamber of Commerce will not tell us who is contributing to them? … Follow the money! Follow the money!” Biden said.

Biden said the administration has been tasked with digging the country out of a “godawful” hole created by Republicans, and lambasted the right for criticizing government spending.

“These guys are not for real. … They have zero, zero, zero credibility on deficits,” he said. “The last guy to balance a budget was William Jefferson Clinton. … These guys talking about deficits is like making an arsonist the fire marshal.”

Biden warned that Democrats needed to not let voter anger carry away the election.

“If we let this remain a referendum on their anger, we will lose. … When you’re angry you don’t want to focus on the alternative,” he said. “You only want to focus on your pain and your anger. And shame on us, shame on us if we let them do it and not remind them of what the alternative is and the progress we’ve made.”