Joe Biden to Progressive Democrats: 'Get in Gear, Man' (VIDEO)

Joe Biden's blunt manner of speaking can get him in trouble sometimes. But appearing on 'The Rachel Maddow Show' (weekdays 9 PM ET on MSNBC) the Vice President used that trait to effectively hammer home the point that progressive Democrats need to get more involved in the 2010 election, or risk having everything Biden believes the Obama Administration has accomplished get undone.

Addressing the "enthusiasm" gap that seems to exist between the revved-up Tea Party and the sleepy Democratic base, Biden offered progressives a stark pep-talk. "One of the reason I want to be on your show, is to tell progressives out there to get in gear, man," Biden told Maddow. "First of all, there is a great deal of stake."

Biden then listed the regulation of tobacco, hate crime laws, and insurance for kids as Obama administration accomplishments that could be undone if the GOP takes over the Congress.

"Our progressive base, you should not stay home," Biden continued. "You better get energized. Because the consequence are serious for the outcome of the things we care most about."