Biden cites work with Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms to call for compromise

Vice President Biden on Tuesday cited his work passing legislation with the late Sens. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) and Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) as evidence that the partisan gridlock in Washington can be overcome.

Speaking at a campaign event in Chesterfield, Va., Biden noted that he worked with Thurmond to pass the Violence Against Women Act and with Helms on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Thurmond and Helms, both deceased, were vocal opponents of civil rights legislation in the 1960s.

"And by the way, for those folks who say we can't get on together these days because of political division, I sat next to Strom Thurmond," Biden said, drawing scattered boos from the crowd. "And became friends with Strom Thurmond. Together we passed a crime bill. Together we passed the Violence Against Women Act. Together we extended the Voting Rights Act. So don't tell me you can't work with people and compromise."

Biden noted that he worked with Helms on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"Jesse Helms worked at the end of his career to deal with AIDS in Africa," Biden continued. "So my point is don't listen to these voices who say compromise is a dirty word. There can be no people further apart ideologically than Strom and I were or Jesse and I were but yet for the good of the nation we were able to make compromise."

Biden's speech rehashed his usual stump attacks on GOP nominee Mitt Romney and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan. The vice president took aim at Romney for saying that his job was "not to worry about" 47 percent of the country who don't pay income taxes.

"When he said it's not my job to worry about these people, well who's job is it? Ladies and gentlemen we are our brothers' keeper," Biden said. "We are one nation under God. We are all in this together. And if the 47 percent doesn't make it, the country doesn't make it."

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