In their first joint rally for the Democratic ticket, the most famous couple in Democratic politics – Bill and Hillary Clinton - came out to campaign for Joe Biden in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.

Addressing a crowd of nearly 6,000 people, the Clintons made a special mention of Biden’s accomplishments in his 35-year Senate career, and pointed to his roots in the Pennsylvania’s ‘blue-collar city’, being considered the ‘epicenter’ of American politics.

It was more of a “Joe and Hillary” day at the rally – being described as a homecoming for a favorite son and goddaughter. Scranton is Biden’s home town, though he left more than 50 years back, and his wife, Jill, was born in Pennsylvania as well. Hillary Clinton’s grandfather worked in the lace mills, her father is buried here, and she spent childhood summers in town. 

At the very outset of her speech, Senator Hillary Clinton made her message clear when she remarked, “We must elect Barack Obama and Joe Biden on November 4th.” She thumped the Republicans for the country’s economic downturn, and said, “My friends, this is an all-hands-on-deck moment for America. We’ve got to work hard, and we’ve got to work together. This is a fight for the future, and it is a fight we must win.”

Generous in her praise of both men on the Democratic ticket, the Senator said, “Barack Obama and Joe Biden are for you, and that’s why I am for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.”

Senator Biden also delivered a tough speech about his “old friend” McCain, hammering the Republican presidential nominee for his reaction to the financial meltdown. In an oft-repeated statement, he reminded the audience that McCain’s initial response to the turmoil on Wall Street was that the fundamentals of the US economy were “sound”, later followed by his saying that the economy was in “crisis.”

Bill Clinton, in his eight-minute introductory speech, was not as magnanimous in his praise of Obama, as his wife. However, he did bring himself to say, “If you ask yourself who has the best ideas, who’s got the best instincts, who’s got the best ability to understand these challenges, who’s got the best supporting cast, the answer is Barack Obama.” And that’s why Hillary’s here, that’s why I’m here, that’s why you’re here.”