10 Things You Didn't Know About Joe Biden

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It was indeed a tragedy that Senator Biden's family was involved in an accident shortly after his election; however I believe the news reporting at the time indicating that the accident occured at an intersection on Delaware Route 7 in Hockessin without a traffic signal and that it was Senator Biden's wife, Neilia, who pulled into the intersection directly into the path of a dump truck (not a tractor trailer). Sun glare was a possible contributing factor to the accident as the driver of the truck was unable to stop in time after she pulled into the intersection. Also, there was no reporting to indicate the driver of the truck was intoxicated. That would have been big news in Delaware at the time. It was simply an accident.
Also, I don't see any information indicating that the Senator's current wife was married previously. Again, Delaware is a small state and a little fact checking/investigative reporting should turn up evidence of Jill's first marriage to William Stevenson (or perhaps Stephenson). He was co-owner of The Stone Balloon in Newark for many years and following their divorce, developed quite an interesting legal history himself.

Questioning the Facts??? of MD 4:27PM August 24, 2008

The problem has not been 8 years of Republican leadership. The problem has been 8 years of a RINO Republican, that brown nose's Democratic butts at every opportunity.

Richard Mumolo of CA 6:49AM August 24, 2008

I don't know much about the "US Government Savings Plan" mentioned by Hank, but don't these government jobs (particularly the Senate and House) have relatively rich retirement plans along with retiree medical plans funded by all of us? I have relatives who have put in 30-40 years in U.S. government jobs (much lesser than Biden's) and just retiring with little worries about their net worth. I have no idea how much Senators make and I believe his wife is a teacher. I agree you would think that he would have more net worth, but again according to his speech Saturday he has only one kitchen table, so only one house? And it seems little savings beyond maybe his equity in his home... and think of all the money he spends on his AmTrak commuting! I am a little younger than Biden and the previous writer, but looking at retirement five or six years from now and I, too, have considerably more net worth than $300,000---albeit most of it targeted for retirement and in home equity. Not sure how much I would have saved all these years if my retirement, including health care in addition to Medicare, were going to be taken care of in my old age. I would hope it would be more than $300,000. Seems like these guys can't win either way. If they are rich, they get slammed regardless of whether they are self-made, married into money, or inherited it--because they can't possibly understand all of us who are struggling just to get by. Then again, if they haven't managed their money well enough to impress us, then they are in trouble as well---how can they possibly do anything for our messed up economy? If we need a happy medium---would that be Obama? All I know is there is no way I want another four years to see if the Republicans can pull it together. I have many doubts about Obama, but I am still reserving my opinion until after the conventions and we really get into some meaningful debates, etc. Often think I won't vote at all, but that is not going to get our country anywhere either. I think we just have to look at the overall strengths and weaknesses of each ticket and decide who will do the best job, or maybe even the least harm. No wonder so many people are on the fence.

Undecided Gma of CA 6:19AM August 24, 2008

I heard that Senator Biden will be attractive to the blue collar worker because in 35+ years in the Senate his net worth is only $300,000. He has not made money on his office as others have.
I find this incredulous. I am one year older than Senator Biden, lost what little money I had in a divorce at age 40 upon leaving the military as a lower grade officer and subsequently never earned a six figure salary up through my retirement at 64. Yet I have two 401K plans that each have in excess of $300,000 as well as other conservative investments (including a few houses)(no lucky stock buys). How did Senator Biden SCREW up his investments and the US Government savings plan to the point that he has underperformed little old me to such an extent!? Did he get involved in one of those internet scams?
I'm not sure I want Senator Biden any where near the US economic controls!!!
By the way could someone in the MNM just once use the word GRAVITAS NOW!!

HANK4 of MI 5:15PM August 23, 2008

Real simple....we've seen what 8 years of a Republican administration has done to this country. Don't like it????
Vote for Change

Bill of FL 3:35PM August 23, 2008

I wasn’t sure I would be able to vote this election, but now that I know Joe Biden is on the ticket, I feel I can trust Obama to do what’s right for America. From this move, I expect to see a fiscal conservative in his cabinet, not a lip-service conservative like John McCain.
When McCain talks about “America first”, he means corporation profits (the Neo-Con rallying cry). How do we stay strong as a nation if our fiscal plan is “borrow and spend”? Corporations will tell you that their first loyalty is to their stockholders, not their employees. McCain/Romney will finish what Bush/Cheney started – bankrupting our nation while keeping American corporations profiteering. Two more rich guys without a clue as to what it’s like to have to decide between rent, food and gas.
150 days to a new administration. Whoever wins, I'll feel safer than I do right now.

Mark of CA 2:38PM August 23, 2008

Have been a loyal Republican for over 40 years. Always voted a straight ticket. But I am so darn upset with how George Bush has mismanaged our country that I get sick when I think about it. I'm just plain mad, and want to step in that booth and vote a straight Democratic ticket for once. Until. Until Obama couldn't bring himself to fully support drilling in America. Until Obama didn't want to create jobs in this country harvesting our own energy resources. Until Obama preferred to send our hard earned money to our enemies in the Mideast. Until Obama started acting with a cocky attitude in his public appearances. Until Obama appointed a left wing liberal for his running mate with a loud mouth and an inability to shut up and listen. BUT, I won't vote for Republicans any longer. I'm just NOT going to vote. Enough already. Our country simply can't bring itself to run a decent centrist. We're going to suffer for yet another 4 years.

Cell Short of PA 1:36PM August 23, 2008

With 2 of the farthest left candidates in the country running for President and VP, I can now pretty much bet that the agenda of the Democrats in congress is clear.
To take this country to a Socialist government unlike we have ever seen.
They will win because the Media will not report on anything that will hurt their chances of gaining the ultimate power in the universe.
Oil will rise because of their increased taxes. We, the little guy, will be eating those taxes.
Incomes will be over taxed on everyone who PAYS taxes. I make roughly 40K per year and already pay 25% of my income to Taxes.
America will become weak. We will be attacked by their Muslim Extremist buddies whom the dems have been trying to protect for 6 years now.
We will be told on what lights we can use, how much toilet paper we can use... how far and when we can drive our cars (albeit we still can afford the high gas prices).
And of course, illegal immigration..prepare for another 30 million shortly.
The BIG goverment that will soon take over, will control every aspect of your life. Remember, these are the same people that admire the Chinese, who control how many babies you can have.. if you get pregnant.. the will kill your baby.. (The Dems dreams come true).
Yes, Obama was for change. Not a lot of people ever questioned his changes and the effects on you an me. Just as long as it wasnt GWB.. the change was good enough for them.. even if the change is to kill this country... economically, spiritually and physically.

JS of AZ 1:33PM August 23, 2008

I think this is the best news that I have heard this campaign year! Biden for VP?! There is no way the demcrats can attack McCain as an insider now, took the wind right out of that sail. The GOP have lots and lots of ammo to use against Biden this campaign year, Biden is so far left... he falls off the edge of the earth. I think this just sealed Obama's fate.

Darand of OR 12:11PM August 23, 2008

At first I thought Obama/Clinton would be the best ticket, however, after reading more about Biden's accomplishments and his long time experience in the Senate, I think Obama made the right choice. Biden has been in office longer than Clinton and has been the champion of causes affecting women (including health care and education), civil rights (which can go a long way toward uniting our country again), foreign policy (we have a lot of catching up to do after the Bush administration) and Biden teamed up with another Senator to present alternative to the war in Iraq, although it was rejected by Bush. Biden believes in the power of diplomacy with war only as a last resort. Biden has also gotten into trouble a few times simply because he wasn't afraid to open his mouth and tell it "like it is." Between Obama and Biden, I think we have a ticket that is exactly what the American public needs to get our country back on track.

Laura Anderson of CO 11:34AM August 23, 2008