Biden At Convention Gives Heartfelt Speech To Delaware Delegation
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LITTLETON, Colo. — Vice presidential candidate Joe Biden thanked Delaware delegates Tuesday for standing by their home-state senator and served up a mea culpa for his foibles and imperfections.
Biden, known for an unscripted style that sometimes gets him into trouble, told a small breakfast gathering that he couldn't have weathered personal failures without their help, and allowed that his spot on the ticket will come with challenges, drawing knowing laughter from the crowd.
"It's all out there, in the clear public view," Biden said. "I didn't always comport myself in the way that I wanted to."
"My private life has been lived in the public arena because y'all got me started so young," Biden said. "I hadn't been out of law school but a year when I got involved in the Democratic Party."
Aides said Biden was referring to his tendencies to shoot from the hip, and set a sometimes condescending tone.
Biden first won his Senate seat in 1973. He's run two unsuccessful presidential campaigns, including a 2008 bid that that ended after a disappointing showing in leadoff Iowa. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee noted he's not used to playing a supporting role.
"I've never been a team," he said. "I should've been a one-man band."
Biden, at times emotional and ignoring prepared remarks that praised both Barack and Michelle Obama, also offered personal thanks as his large family listened.
"The only reason I came by is to tell you that I love you," Biden said.
But Biden _ the quick-witted, sharp-tongued banterer _ kept his signature humor.
"This is the first time I've ever had security. Senators don't matter," he said to laughter.
He also took credit for the updated seating chart on the floor of the convention, where Biden will be nominated on Wednesday.
"The only reason I accepted the nomination ... so the Delaware delegation could be moved up front," Biden said. "As the old joke goes: How about them seats?"
Later Tuesday, Biden stopped by Michelle Obama's round-table on women's economic issues. Again, the humor came when he noted most of the audience were women: "Thank heaven for small favors."
He also noted his seniority in the Senate but also reminded them he took office at age 30.
"There's still 44 senators older than me. I want you to know that. I don't give a damn if you remember anything else."
Biden's failed 1988 run was marred by plagiarism of speeches and law review articles.
As he began his second presidential run, Biden found himself apologizing for calling Obama "articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." He also drew criticism for his remark that "you cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent."
PHILIP ELLIOTT | August 26, 2008 01:02 PM EST |
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