Let the Campaign Begin; Biden Rips Romney, Gingrich and Santorum in Toledo Speech

By Major Garrett // March 15, 2012 | 5:33 a.m.

Vice President Joe Biden reacts to a fan prior to speaking at a union hall in Toledo, Ohio, Thursday March 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Madalyn Ruggiero) (Madalyn Ruggiero/AP)

Mitt Romney may dismiss Newt Gingrich as a whinning wanna-be and Rick Santorum's campaign may say it's time for the former speaker to bow out. And Santorum may call Romney a weak front-runner and Romney may call Santorum "desperate," but it doesn't matter to Vice President Joe Biden.

From Biden's point of view and the view of President Obama's re-election team, Romney, Santorum and Gingrich are all cookie-cutter Republicans hard-baked in a rule-free free market ideology dangerous to the country's future. In sum, all three represent the same policies and the same threat - though only one is likely to become the GOP standard bearer.

Biden delivered the first of several campaign set-piece speeches in Toledo, Ohio, to members of the United Autoworkers Local 12. To the surprise of no one, Biden trumpeted the success of the auto bailout first started by President Bush ($13.4 billion) but significantly expanded by Obama (roughly $60 billion in loans and stock purchases).