M. Obama: Let's Do More Than Talk About Family Values

DENVER - Joe Biden surprised a crowd here as he joined Michelle Obama and several female governors for a roundtable discussion of women's issues. Amid continued chatter that former Hillary Clinton supporters are not fully on board with the Democratic ticket, the Delaware senator made a direct pitch to a mostly female audience.

"You know, I know my role," Biden joked as he looked around the stage full of women. "I have been surrounded my whole life by very strong, strong women. ... I mean this sincerely: I think you can tell the comfort a man has with women and whether or not he gets it or not by the women, if the women around him are strong."

Relating to some of the stories of the women invited to join the discussion, Biden noted that for a time he was a single parent. And later, after panelists recounted personal battles that involved health care, education and the economy, Biden challenged Republicans to show how they could call themselves a party of values.

"What is the greater obligation of the country -- to give some very, very wealthy people who are good people an additional hundred billion dollars in tax cuts, or provide healthcare for every American, solve every story you've heard up here?" he asked. "I really think you've got to let this sink in, Democrats. This is not something that's beyond our reach. It's all about what your priorities are."

Michelle Obama introduced Biden, calling him a "man who knows firsthand how hard it can be to balance work and family." She also said he led Congress in the fight against domestic violence and has always been "fighting for us."

"As president and vice president, Barack and Joe will change Washington, so that instead of just talking about family values that we actually have policies that value families," she said.

Biden promised at first to be "very brief," and spoke for just nine minutes. But after a full program, he decided to chime in again, going on at length about health care and the importance of appointing the right Supreme Court justices. Despite throwing out red meat, he told the crowd repeatedly not to applaud.

"Remember when you go out there, it's not merely a women's right to choose that at stake," he said. "It's whether or not you're going to be able to demand that you are treated equally in every aspect of your life. ... So please help us. Please help us. The country needs Barack Obama as president."

(NBC/NJ's MIKE MEMOLI)