Biden's True Grit

[babylonsister]

Biden's True Grit
By Salena Zito


Lost in the transition flurry of Barack Obama Cabinet prospects is Vice President-elect Joe Biden -- but do not look for him to be lost after taking office or for his post to become "not worth a bucket of warm piss," as FDR Vice President John Nance Garner once vividly described it.

"That definition has not applied from (Vice President Walter) Mondale on," says Mark Siegel, who was the Democrats' national executive director when Biden first ran for president in 1988 and who is very fond of Biden.

When Siegel lost his son in a car accident in 1974, in circumstances similar to Biden's own family tragedy, the newly elected Delaware senator was there for him. He told Siegel at the time that nothing would be the same but that life would go on.

"In many ways, he kept me going," Siegel adds.

Biden was there for Siegel again when he lost his good friend, Pakistani political leader Benazir Bhutto. Siegel co-wrote a book on Bhutto that was completed the day she was assassinated in December of last year; Biden wrote a blurb for the book's cover.

John Kerry has great respect for his longtime colleague: "Joe and I have been in the trenches, and I really think that's when you learn the measure of a guy. He's resilient and he's determined. There's grit there. This is a guy who learned the ropes in the Senate from some real giants."

Biden ran two of the most contentious Senate committees with rare bipartisan skill, Kerry says, adding: "That tells you a hell of a lot about him. That he was asked to deliver the eulogy for (South Carolina Republican) Strom Thurmond tells you just how much Joe is and was respected across the aisle."

more...

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/11/bidens_true_grit.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Biden has compassion

and a temperament that will serve him well as he helps President Obama get legislation through Congress. Yes, I know he has no vote except in cases of a tie, but that doesn't mean he can't talk with members of Congress, does it?

[babylonsister]

2. I imagine he can talk to whoever he wants to.

I can't imagine anyone trying to gag Mr. Biden. ;)

[saltpoint]

3. Biden is not in the spotlights at the moment but his brain is

ticking away and his loyalties are clear and true.

I look forward to an Obama White House with Joe Biden as his Vice President.

[Clio the Leo]

4. I LOVE JOE BIDEN!!!!

And I will always be thankful to Our President for introducing him to me.