Biden's Emotional Kennedy Tribute: "It Was Never About Him" (VIDEO)

Vice President Joe Biden diverged from planned remarks at an Energy Department event to talk at length -- fighting tears the whole time -- about his friend and colleague of many decades in the Senate.

"I truly, truly am distressed by his passing," Biden said haltingly. "You know, Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America. For 36 years, I had the privilege of going to work every day and sitting next to him and being witness to history. ... He restored my sense of idealism."

"He was never defeatist," Biden said. "He never was petty. Never was petty. He was never small. And in the process of his doing, he made everybody he worked with bigger, both his adversaries, as well as his allies ... He changed the circumstances of tens of millions of Americans and in a literal sense literally, literally. he changed the circumstances ... not only the physical circumstances, he changed how they looked at themselves and how they looked at one another." Later he added, "The unique thing about Teddy was he was never about him. It was always about you. It was never about him."

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Comments

[hermanmunster]

01:35 AM on 08/30/2009

thanks mr. biden for toughing it out your own self

[MaxAtkinson]

09:58 AM on 08/29/2009

To English ears, Biden's tribute has been the most impressive so far - or at least, a short sequence in the middle of it which contained the most widely quoted quotes from it ('It was never about him' and 'kind of an anchor'). As for why this sequence stood out, all is explained on my blog at http://bit.ly/hoAg9

[PrincipiaChamp]

06:06 PM on 08/28/2009

Bless your big, fat, honest, beautiful Joe Biden heart...such wonderful words because they come from Joe, which are refreshingly heartfelt.

Beautiful video of Joe BIden too. He was so very close to Eunice Kennedy also when as a young Senator she coerced him into becoming active in Special Olympics.

I'm sorry you lost another friend Joe...please take care.

"Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

Desiderata...Max Ehrmann (c 1927)

[bluebird47]

12:31 PM on 08/28/2009

Joe, what a wonderful and heartfelt tribute to Teddy. I'm sorry for your loss, clearly you both were lucky to have each other as friends. I'm sadden by the passing of Senator Kennedy, but I'm glad that you are our Vice President. I've always had great respect for you since you've been in the senate.

[PeanutButterJellyGirl]

07:52 PM on 08/27/2009

That was heartbreaking. It was moving to see honesty & decency instead of spin. I'm sorry for your loss, Joe. My condolences to the Kennedy family. Your family has sacrificed so much for us ... Joseph, John and Bobby

We miss you Teddy. Thank you & Thank you too Eunice.

[SparkyDash]

04:03 PM on 08/27/2009

"Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fairer and more just America. It was never about him; it was always about you." VP Joe Biden, 8/26/09

Bless you, Joe Biden. I see your heart breaking. This very honest tribute to your friend Ted Kennedy is just one reason why I love you. I'm so glad it is available for all to experience.

Thank you, Joe.

[ChampLessFuzzy]

03:45 PM on 08/27/2009

Ah Joe, you are beautiful because you are so damn honest and passionate. I love you Mr. Vice President. A wonderful tribute to Senator Kennedy...he was truly fortunate to have you as a friend and to have you say such heartfelt words. Beautifully done because it is so very honest...so very Joe Biden.

[kenny67]

07:00 AM on 08/27/2009

Joe, I am so sorry for the loss of your good friend and mentor. The words you spoke and the sadness in your heart brought me to tears. Teddy is in a better place now with his brothers and family. What you said was so true about this great man. May he rest in peace and may his lifelong dream of healthcare become reality. That would be the best way to honor this great mans memory. God Bless you Joe Biden and your family.

[Amalek]

05:41 AM on 08/27/2009

Biden gave the most authentic moving eulogy I have ever heard. I was not much of a fan of Biden's speeches - oh, the first hour or so is ok, but then he usually starts repeating himself. This one was simply amazing. Take the time to listen to it.

[CTSnowman]

01:19 PM on 08/27/2009

You said it. Wow never seen him like that before.

[Teresa201]

02:57 PM on 08/27/2009

This is the Joe that the people of Delaware know....

You just don't get to see this Joe on MSM.

He is a truly caring man. ...

One of the best I've ever known.

[Wilkei]

05:19 AM on 08/27/2009

We love you Joe and Ted, and all of the other decent men and women who genuinely care for your fellow man. None of us are perfect! Even at our best we are like filthy rags before the Lord. But these men are truly the best! As an African American I am so very proud of works these men!

[regularmess]

04:19 AM on 08/27/2009

Loss upon loss. With September approaching, I think about a moving story i read...

http://thehappeningstory.blogspot.com/

[lykitis]

03:18 AM on 08/27/2009

I weep. I weep not only at the passing of a great man, a man marked by human errors, trajedy and selfless compassion, but because I am seeing Edward Kennedy remembered by a loyal and loving friend. I weep because I am thankful that his friend, Joe Biden, is our Vice President of the United States. God bless Teddy Kennedy and comfort his family. May he rest in peace.

[flyribbon]

12:43 AM on 08/27/2009

Every time I hear Joe Biden speak I thank God that he is our vice-President.

Joe: I'm so very sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

RIP

[mandennis]

12:24 AM on 08/27/2009

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President and farewell, Sen. Ted Kennedy!

[WowJones]

12:20 AM on 08/27/2009

I actually saw Tro//s post the fact that Obama's speech about Teddy didn't come up to the standard of Biden's speech. How many people could have the relationship Joe Biden had with Ted Kennedy. God Bles you both.