Biden Gets A Laugh About Bergereon
BY BUDDY NEVINS
“Alligator” Ron Bergeron is one of a kind.
He travels around in six-figure gold plated Hummer, five-figure custom-made airboats and four-figure handmade lizard-skin boots — all with “Alligator Ron” emblazoned on them.
It’s a handle he took to calling himself after an alligator he was wrestling got out of control and nipped his hand, ending up in the international media.
The businessman Bergeron has made gazillions in various businesses. And continues to enter new enterprises like his recent venture in waste disposal.
But he spends much of his time on preservation of the Everglades, a place where he spends much of his spare time. Few know as much about the huge wetlands.
So when somebody visits Florida and wants to learn something about the River of Grass, Bergeron’s the guy to see.
Vice President Joe Biden is Bergeron’s latest pupil.
And the voluble Biden joked about the Broward entrepreneur when he made a few remarks after a ride through the Everglades on Monday.
Bergeron, a Republican, did not accompany Biden on the ride. He was at the dock when Biden joshed about the businessman’s penchant for wrestling alligators.
As quoted on the CNN website, Biden quipped about it being his first time on a tour of the Everglades.
“I know Ronnie Bergeron is here,” Biden said. “He tried to get me out there about 10 years ago. But he didn’t want me to go see it. He wanted me to wrestle alligators. Y’all think I’m kidding. I’m not kidding. He’s one crazy son of a gun.”
As laughter came from an audience consisting of U. S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U. S. Rep. Alcee Hastings and the U. S. Interior Department’s Everglades point person Shannon Estenoz of Plantation, Biden continued:
“You see this man right here? My Secret Service guy? He said that if I go, he’ll shoot you, Ronnie. I’m only kidding. That’s not true. He didn’t say he’d shoot Ronnie. He said he’d shoot the alligator if I went.”
April 24th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Buddy, do you have the audio of Alcee Hasting’s speech while with Biden?
April 24th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
“You see this man right here? My Secret Service guy? He said that if I go, he’ll shoot you, Ronnie. I’m only kidding. That’s not true.”
Really smart move for VP to joke about having the Secret Service shoot someone. Just imagine Cheney saying that to someone from the other party.
April 24th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Biden is an embarassment as was clearly indicated when he whispered (or not) in obamas ear and said this is really f****ing big. when are their leases up at the WH and wherever biden lives on the taxpayer dole?
April 24th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
To Embarrassed: At least Biden was just talking in jest, even if it’s lame. Cheney would actually do the shooting himself.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:38 am
The voters spoke last time about VP selections between Biden and Palin. I guess the voters refudiated her at the time
Biden says stuff that he jokes about while Palin says stuff that is a joke but she really believes in.
Big difference.
I don’t think that Biden abandoned his elected office half way to persue speaking engagements.
I really liked her at the GOP convention when she spoke about being an advocate for parents of kids with disabilites. The Katie Couric and Barbara Walters interview brought me back to earth.
In the grand scheme of things I guess I prefer someone who is tongue tied instead of speaking in tongues.
Wait, there is one thing that Biden can not come close to Palin in a million years. Google “Nailin Palin” and see why poor Joe was left behind.
April 26th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Saw Joe Scarb’s comments about the VEEP selection process. For anyone to say that Marco Rubio is not ready to be VP, they need only briefly focus on Biden. View the long list of screw ups, and the short list of accomplishments by Biden. He’s always ‘only making jokes’. Rubio is so much more intelligent and effective, I am much more comfortable and confident in his ability and as than current VP Biden’s. He is a nice guy, but a do nothing loser.
April 26th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
correction: his ability and intelligence