Biden: Admin. 'out of the gate … quick'

NEW YORK, June 1 (UPI) -- Vice President Joe Biden said Monday the Obama administration "got out of the gate pretty quick," but he may have offended New York Yankees fans in the process.

Speaking at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in New York, Biden compared the administration with the Yankees -- who have begun to rebound after getting off to a disappointing start to the 2009 season.

"Unlike the Yankees, we got out of the gate pretty quick," Biden said. "I think we've started to rack up a few victories."

Biden cited enactment of the economic stimulus package, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the expansion of healthcare for children, as well as Obama's announcement of plans to close the detainee center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the president's commitment to redeploy troops out of Iraq.

The vice president said funds from the $787 billion stimulus package are starting to work their way into the U.S. economy.

Addressing an audience unofficially estimated at about 100 for the $1,000 per ticket event, Biden referred to New York Gov. David Paterson as "your once and future governor" -- despite polling indicating Paterson faces a steep uphill fight in a potential campaign for election to a full term.

Paterson last year succeeded Eliot Spitzer, who resigned as governor following a prostitution scandal.