Lamont hosts Biden at fundraiser

Former Vice President Joe Biden made the fundraising rounds in New York and Connecticut over the weekend hoping to raise cash for his presidential campaign.

The fundraising push included a stop at the Greenwich home of Gov. Ned Lamont and his wife, Annie, on Sunday, where Biden spoke to a crowd of about 140 about his optimism for the country.

Lamont endorsed Biden early — unlike most of the state’s prominent Democrats who remain uncommitted to a presidential candidate — because of their relationship and because Biden had helped Lamont in his race for governor in 2018. About 140 people attended the fundraiser in Greenwich, and many of those paid $2,800 — the maximum contribution allowed during the presidential primary season and the only price mentioned on the invitation.

The program lasted 38 minutes, including Biden's speech, questions and answers, and comments by Lamont and former U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, a longtime friend of Biden's who served with him for 30 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Biden said he is optimistic because he believes Republican President Donald Trump will be out of office soon, but he warned that four more years of Trump would result in the end of NATO, a longstanding critical alliance for the United States, Canada, and

Europe. He also predicted that Trump could get the United States into a war with Iran.

"I mean this from the bottom of my heart. I've never been more optimistic about American's possibilities and chances than I am today,'' Biden said under a tent that extended into Lamont's backyard as the rain could be heard pinging off the top of the tent. "With this guy out of the way, number one, the country is primed because they've been reminded of who we are and what we have to do. Number two, we have the most productive workers . ... We have more great research universities in this state and in this country than in all the rest of the world combined.''

He added, "Why in the hell are we walking around: 'Woe is me. We're in such trouble?' With the Trump administration out of the way, and I mean this sincerely, the possibilities are limitless in what we can do absolutely limitless.''

Biden reminded the affluent crowd that America is the wealthiest country in the world, mentioning venture capitalism — the field where Lamont's wife, Annie, has been among the most successful in the nation.

"It's time we lift our heads up and remember who the hell we are,'' Biden said. "It's an exciting moment. Don't forget it. Don't forget about the possibilities. They're enormous. With the right president and the right team, there's not a damn thing we cannot do.”