Biden Explains Debate Moment Where He Choked Up

Newsweek catches up with Joe Biden and talks to him about the moment during Thursday's debate when he choked up with emotion:

About that catch in his throat: in the moment, he "could picture Beau in the bed" after the 1972 car accident that killed Biden's first wife, Neilia, and their baby girl and critically injured his young sons. Now Beau, the 39-year-old attorney general of Delaware, was off to war, a judge advocate general traveling to obscure regions of Iraq, where the road isn't exactly the safest place to be. The memory of being a single parent mixed with worries about Beau to create "a lot of bundled emotions. It surprised me. I was hoping nobody noticed." Only 70 million or so did.

Here's the video. More from the Newsweek piece below:

Biden, who had stayed neutral in the Democratic primaries after dropping out in January, told Obama that he was "ready to be second fiddle" and sought no specific portfolio--but only if he got a guaranteed hourlong, one-on-one session with the president every week (like Al Gore's lunches with Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush's with Ronald Reagan) and a presence at all important meetings. Obama said yes, that he wanted him for his judgment and for his help in enacting a big legislative agenda. And so the job was defined: "My role will be to say, 'Boss, here's the way I'd go about it'."

Biden says Obama reminds him of Bill Clinton in his "confidence, cognitive ability, judgment" and intellectual security--that he can listen and absorb advice without having to prove he's the smartest person in the room, a critical leadership skill. He says he experienced an "epiphany" during a recent conference call on the bailout bill with Bob Rubin, Paul Volcker, Warren Buffett, Paul O'Neill, Joseph Stiglitz, Larry Summers and Laura Tyson. "He [Obama] comes on the call and says, 'Well, folks, sorry I'm late. I've got four questions.' He was in total frigging command! Here's a 47-year-old guy in one of the most complicated economic dilemmas anyone has had to face since 1929 to '33. And it was like, 'Bang! Bang! Bang!' I called him afterward and said, 'You sold me, sucker!' "

Comments

[FdeBear]

When I saw Joe Biden emergent feelings and knowing his story, I said to myself "Now there's a real man!" I also appreciate his description of Mr. Obama in action. As an American and an African-American I said to myself, "Damn I'm so proud of him! 'You show them what we've got, my brother'". This country is blessed with so many gifted and wonderful people who want to make an honest contribution to society and world culture. To know what these two men have struggled through and yet have given to our country...it's so inspiring. We must win, good people! After these foul years where greed, meanness and selfishness have been rampant, don't you think we deserve the best? They are the face of the America I want before the world. As far as uh Mrs. Palin's pin-headed response, she made me so angry I wanted to jump through my TV set. But I wasn't surprised, because it showed those with the eyes to see and the ears to hear what this broad and her "campaign" is really about. There's nothing sweet and cute about her.I can say with confidence that anyone supporting the McCain/Plain ticket is coming from a sick place in their heart.

[GraceNeeded]

We may NOT deserve the best, but the rest of the world sure does!

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

We do deserve the best! And, now is our time!

[proudloudlib]

She's not even worthy of the term "broad." Where I come from, that's a complement. There is another B-word that comes to mind...

[Ironfox]

Please don't go there, you don't hve to.

[kcflood]

i loved this moment in the debate, actually.

[Almostover]

Yes, that was a great moment. He was honest and sincere. Unlike Palin with her winks and shout-outs to her dad, elementary schoolers, etc.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

Can you imagine? Shout-Outs. Can you imagine this woman representing us on a world stage?

[ShanniC]

That moment where he "choked up" signified to me that he was the best veep choice. He showed his sincerity and fervor for hardworking, middle and working class Americans! Obama/Biden O8-12! Change we can believe in!

[themodernleader]

The accurate assessment of Vice President Cheeney's anti-constitutional performance in Office was one the best ideas that was stated in the debate. And not one commentator made mention of it. It was as if there are certain ideas that can not be spoken, as in totalitarian organizations. Or we are so shameful of the evil fog spread over our governance by this administration that we are ashamed (or afraid) to discuss it.
The courageous Joe Biden spoke plainly of the dangerous, incompetent Vice President's performance and I applaud and encourage such candid, open, honorable behavior. Thank you, Senator Biden.

[averygard]

It's so ironic to me as an unapologetic feminist that some people will vote the mccain ticket because he's proposing a woman as a VP, yet palin would remove so many rights for women, yet Biden has done so much for women....It's good to have 2 genuinely decent men on our ticket.

[Ironfox]

It's a question of optics over substance, and betting some will fall for it, and they will.

[thebatgirl]

what struck me was after trying to pull at heartstrings by using her family, Palin did not even pause to acknowledge Biden's suffering. She just plowed on with her talking points. If she could not spare a moment at such a time, how are we to belive she cares about the average family.
She was so coached, did not answer any questions, she crammed what she wanted to say, and that was it.

[siney]

the woman is a total opportunist...with a personality disorder like hers, who needs enemies?

[MoeJava]

How true! I noticed she was acting a little programmed, like a robot in her delivery. As if she had to get it all out at once, so she wouldnt forget the string of words.
Perhaps the commanders of her home planet didnt go into detail about human emotions before her spaceship launched. Guess they didnt have enough time for a cram session, where ever she really came from.......

[peterperfect]

Don't worry, many in the media have picked up on that as well. My guess is, she didn't have a clue how to handle that and just picked up on the last word, 'change'. Awful.

[GraceNeeded]

Being empathetic wasn't on her cue card. Gov. Palin is not cued into people's pain. She is in her own world with her own agenda.

[jcrush]

My feelings EXACTLY. My heart broke with his at that point, and when she just charged full steam ahead grinning and smiling into the camera, it felt like a slap in the face, like insult to injury, like a stake in the heart. You know she was paying attention and heard what he said, because she responded by using his words when she started. You know what, I learned something about her.

I learned how she could go to work and drag a 3 day old infant with her to the office. I learned how she could cause her daughter international embarassment by exposing her high school pregnancy to the world. I learned how she could fire someone because he didn't follow her corrupt orders. I learned how she could expose her own investigation to the world. I learned how she could say yes to a 72 year old recurrent cancer survivor, knowing she is jarringly underqualified for the job.

She wants advancement. She wants more and more. She wants it ALL.

She wants to be President. And I believe folks, that she thinks she's entitled to it.

[exPatPatti]

JCrush ^^Now that's a HuffPost pick of the day!

Bravo!!!

[FdeBear]

Well said.

[Moka11]

I am so impressed with Joe Biden and when he said he had hoped nobody noticed when he choked up it just furthered my respect for him. I have done the exact same thing talking about an emotional moment of my past and have sometimes gotten through it without someone seeing a tick or hearing a quiver or pause.
I can't imagine that a television camera can't pick up even the slightest twitch. That camera picks up every moment of Palins insincerity like it was magnified a thousand times. Her foolish winks are so nauseating but her detached memorized talking points are glaring to me and I would imagine everyone else.

The camera doesn't lie but it can pick up a lie when it moves in close. It's like a lie detector.

[justobserve]

Couldn't agree more, the camera is truly a lie detector. Her folksy manner and speech in fact magnified her dishonesty and professional manipulation of the audience. PALIN-McCAIN, THE MAVERICKS: NO LEADERSHIP, RECKLESS JUDGMENT, IMPULSIVE ACTIONS, LIES, COVER-UPS. DO YOU GAMBLE WITH MAVERICKS FOR PRESIDENT and VP IN THIS TROUBLE TIME?

[LarBear]

justobserve...

McCain/ Palin are NOT Mavericks.... They are Control Freak/ Deciders like G W Bush....

[Coinyer101]

thats a great article! i loved it! barack is a man of action!

[xenoploid]

Give me a break. I'm voting for his ticket, but Biden's show of emotion was anything but surprising to him. It's all part of a calculated appeal to emotions exactly like McCain continually bringing up his POW experiences. Folks, when the rubber meets the road, it's all a game. And I hope Biden and Obama win it.

[uclafan]

Each experience is true and whether they choose to deal with it in public or private -you can argue- can be scrutinized - but not the underlying emotions that arise from it

[DejaFlint]

Nothing at all like McCain, who brings up his POW experience every chance he gets and goes on and on about it. Biden was 29, and lost his wife and baby in a car crash to a drunk driver and his two sons were in critical condition in the hospital. I think he's allowed to pause for about 2 seconds when he pictures his kid in the hospital break. It was a genuine moment, he didn't try to milk it, and he moved on. I'm sorry you're so cynical.

[downtherabbithole]

ploid,I would agree with you and if this Biden moment is repeated, I will be disappointed. If McCain would not exploit his POW experience,perhaps I would have more respect,however there have been times when McCain brings up his POW and it's application is stretched. I have known many soldiers and most are not comfortable relating their war experiences and most have said war is "hell".

[instarx]

xenoploid - I can only assume you are about 21 years old. Although you think you know what life, emotions and regret are about, you really don't have a clue.

[Ironfox]

Your cynicism is understandable but still a sad commentary on the political climate.
To repeat a previous post: I saw a piece on the BBC with Biden and son and a grandchild emerging from a restaurant shot from a distance and unguarded. In farewell Biden's son hugged his father and kissed him on the cheek. To me, this was evidence of the man's real family values and authenticity. One can not fake or script a moment like that.

[GinnyinCO]

Wow, I thought my cynicism was approaching neurotic levels. I feel better now.

[Xenopus]

Joe was a real person. He is always real, he always talks like it is from the heart.

Sarah sounded so canned. You could have put a tape recorder up there to spout off the endless reel of facts she memorized, intermingled with the "Aw shucks" moment, which also didn't seem real.

[DaOne]

Joe Biden is the real deal

Palin is a manufactured GOP product.

Therein lies the difference

[MsBeale]

Joe Biden struck me at the debate and the convention too, as the sort of guy all the nieces and nephews flock to at family reunions, going "Poppy!" Or "Uncle Joe! Pull a quarter out of my ear!"

And I couldn't help but notice at the end of the debate speech, as the familes spilled out onto the stage, the Bidens walked over to the Palins and greeted them first. The Palins would have been content to stay segregated on their side of the stage.

[longislandlol]

Ms Beale- The Bidens are a warm, close Irish family-- and Joe 's like Uncle Teddy-- revered, loved, respected, always there for he family-- we need an Irish Catholic in as VP---- as a matter of fact-- O'bama had a great-grandpa from Ireland

[DefeatedAnOfficer]

I completely agree. My mother's side of the family is exactly the kind of big, warm Irish Catholic family you describe, and I recognize a lot of things in Joe: the sense of humor, the vaguely wiseass smile, the twinkle in his eye. Every big Irish family's got an uncle who can switch from the role of clown to the role of protector, and Joe seems to be that guy.

[camonique]

I have always respected Mr Biden. My tears went down for that moment. If you have never lost a loved one it will be hard for you to understand. Dignity and integrity are the character of this man. Mr Biden , my family and I we are with you 100%.

[kellygrrrl]

I personally consider that moment in the debate to be the single most relevant moment of the debate

the revelation of character from both Biden and Palin was astounding and spoke loud and clear

[GraceNeeded]

This moment you speak to spoke to many, but another moment for me was his discussion of developing empathy for his opponents in the Senate by considering their personal story and needs too, as Mike Manfield advised. It shows how he has been able to work in the senate across the aisle and why he can. He has earned people's respect. Senator McCain once had a similar level of respect in the Senate and outside of it, but that has all been diminished by his disrespectful behavior towards all of us.

[JerryMerry]

Sarah Palin's non-reaction was despicable.

[kellygrrrl]

sociopathic

[springsm]

No she is not the sociopath. My guess is that they didn't program her to show or respond to any emotions. Robot like. Could be with her self absorbtion that she was embarrassed for him..and didn't know how to respond. And she didn't know about his family either I bet. But don't call her a sociopath..that is how bush/cheney are...and she isn't quite like that. Now..having said that I am definately NOT in her camp.

[Moka11]

If she had reacted even a little with some compassion she would have won over so many people. I'm glad she was so unaware of what just happened. It was classic detachment from where she was reading her index cards.

[DefeatedAnOfficer]

It was nauseating. She could muster up a million "you betchas" and "doggone its", but not a shred of empathy for the man standing right next to her in obvious grief.

[poliscibabe]

Gov. Palin did not have a "Show Empathy for Your Opponent" index card.