by user Roblefko Image:JoeBiden.jpg Yesterday, Senator Joe Biden described Barack Obama as “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy” during an interview with the New York Observer. The comment ignited a giant ruckus that overshadowed Biden's debut into the 2008 presidential race and left the Rev. Jesse Jackson steaming. That cool tone sent Biden scurrying to phone Obama to apologize, telling reporters afterward that he regretted that "some have taken totally out of context my use of the word 'clean.'" __NOEDITSECTION__