A photo that tells the story of the relationship between Joe Biden and Barack Obama. https://t.co/sxHmYsO3Ek pic.twitter.com/YsbVtGaStw
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) October 21, 2015Obama has repeatedly said that choosing Biden was the smartest decision he has made in politics. And, at the funeral for Beau Biden, the vice president's oldest son, the president said of his running mate: "Joe, you are my brother. And I’m grateful every day that you’ve got such a big heart, and a big soul, and those broad shoulders. I couldn’t admire you more."
Given that relationship, it was compelling to watch Biden, age 72, end a lifelong dream with Obama, a man 18 years his junior and one who had achieved that dream, standing by his side. "I believe we're out of time, the time necessary to mount a winning campaign for the nomination," Biden said as Obama stood silent a few feet away. "But while I will not be a candidate, I will not be silent."
How do you comfort an old friend who has to let a dream drift away? You put a hand on his shoulder.
I like that last line a lot.
You know I have to admit that I was kind of puzzled by the fact that President Obama was standing next to Biden while he told the media that he would NOT be running for the presidency in 2016.
But after I thought about it for a minute or two I figured out exactly why President Obama was there.
Because his friend Joe Biden asked him to be there.
Here's the video.
ReplyDeleteIt's dusty in here.....my eyes.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMaT5W-p5Ps
Maybe back when Betty Ford was still really in public life. Otherwise, I don't remember this kind of display of humanity from a Republican since I don't know when. Photos of Obama and Bill Clinton have the same effect for me, as well as that one from behind of Obama and Teddy Kennedy just walking together, shortly before the latter's passing.
ReplyDeleteWhen words fail, being there says it all, and more. It's times like this when you know who your true friends are.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful there's no longer any drama in Alaska anymore. It's good everyone is living happily. Just shows the media for what it is, disgusting and desperate.
ReplyDeleteLevi and Bristol, thank you for moving past the times when democrats tried to ruin everything for you both for their own selfish gain. You're both far classier than any blogger or tabloid writer.
Stay tuned moron.
DeleteYou tell her, Gryphen!
DeleteYou're grateful? Sicko.
DeleteFIFY. "Levi and Bristol, thank you for moving past the times when Sarah tried to ruin everything for you both for her own selfish gain."
DeletePossibly another reason why Mama Grizzly has yet to acknowledge her oldest daughter's second [publicly admitted] illegitimate child (note: it could be her third or even fourth).
The Palins dug their own hole and crawled in it.
DeleteI fail to see how this is any fault of Gryph's.
Democrats did what? All we wanted was for Shrillzilla to take her dysfunctional clan back to Alaska and do her job. WE didn't pretend that Bristol and Levi were going to marry. WE didn't sign them up for $100,000 photo shoots with and without their son. WE would just as soon have never heard of Ms. Vibrant Living, who evidently only goes to work for parties.
DeleteOh, and we didn't make Ms. Single mother dance in a gorilla suit, have sex on the dance floor, or sign up for two idiotic reality shows that we did not watch. So just go away, Willow.
When did Bristol have sex on a dance floor and with whom?
DeleteWith whom? The floor silly!
Deletedowl
Thank you, and I love your comment too, G.
ReplyDeleteThe media drives me nuts! Now that Biden has declared he will NOT run, they are saying he is anti Hillary and had messages in his speech that were against her! Fuck them! I assuredly didn't hear any of it in his message.
ReplyDeleteI would have loved Biden to run before his son passed away. Now I think he is just in too much turmoil, and will be for a while. Losing a child is probably the hardest thing ever for a parent, and I wonder if he'll ever be jolly Joe again.
ReplyDeleteI also don't think he "strung us along", I think he had plans to run and kept that image up as best he could, but in the end it is just too much for him.
Go rest Joe, you've earned it.
Mildred
That was a real tearjerker. Those two have really gotten close through the years. But I really don't understand his shots at Hillary. It Can't help the party and makes him seem a bit of sour grapes. J
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this, Gryphen -- although I'd bet the President didn't need to be asked. He offered to stand by his old friend, Joe, during this difficult moment.
ReplyDeleteHow many times Joe had the President's back. Today, it was the President's turn. We are all blessed by this friendship.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth 44
Off topic: Can't wait for a new post from Gryph about the alleged Levi/Bristol settlement!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen it was first announced that Obama had chosen Biden for a running mate, I was very surprised and thought they made an odd pair. However, since then I have seen how well they work as a team, complement each other's strengths, and support each other in good times and bad. The First Lady and Dr. Biden have also become a force to be reckoned with and have made tremendous contributions to veterans programs.
ReplyDeleteThey have clearly become an extended family and I have no doubt the close relationship will continue long after there is a new president in the White House.
Joe Biden delivered a very moving speech that truly identified what the true Democrats stand for. He is an honorable man, and I am sorry he is not running, but do understand the reasons why.
DeleteStrange picture! Biden looks like he's being strong armed.
ReplyDeleteYou really need to brush up on your body language.
DeleteBiden, age 72
ReplyDeleteThe President stood next to his Vice President to show his support including and especially for the rebuke Biden delivered to Hillary: "Republicans are not our enemies...and for the sake of the country we have to work together." That bit didn't need to be in a speech announcing Biden wasn't running. That was from the both of them.
ReplyDeleteIf that is the case, he also "rebuked" Sanders when he stated that " I don’t believe, like some do, that’s it naive to talk to Republicans." Followed by "I don’t think we should look at Republicans as our enemies."
DeleteYep, Biden also took a swipe at Sanders. With the President standing next to him to show he agreed with that one too.
DeleteLook, I think the president was standing next to his VP yesterday for a political reason, not out of pity for ol' Joe his friend who begged him to appear. The president was there to reinforce the message to the two left in the race, but especially to Clinton, that neither one is automatically the heir to the Obama legacy with Biden out and they'd better not claim they are: they've got to earn it and to get it, both have got some work to do.
Was the Presidency really Biden's dream? Or was that a dream thrust upon him by others, hoping he would pick up the torch and run?
ReplyDeleteI think Biden has achieved whatever dreams he had. He has a loving family, he has spent a life in public service, he has led an honorable life.