born november 47th current vice president united_states having jointly elected twice president barack_obama member democratic_party represented delaware united_states senator vice president born scranton pennsylvania lived years moving delaware attorney elected council elected senate sixth youngest senator history elected senate times fourth senior senator time resignation assume vice presidency long time member chairman opposed gulf war advocated nato intervention war voted favor resolution authorizing iraq war opposed surge troops served chairman dealing issues related drug policy crime prevention civil liberties led legislative efforts creation chaired contentious nominations thomas unsuccessfully sought democratic presidential nomination times dropping early race presidential election barack_obama chose running mate race won roman catholic vice president united_states vice president obama administration oversaw infrastructure spending aimed great recession policy iraq withdrawal troops ability negotiate congressional republicans helped bring legislation tax relief unemployment insurance job creation act resolved taxation resolved year debt ceiling crisis american relief act addressed impending fiscal cliff opposed going ahead military mission resulted death obama elected october months speculation chose run president united_states early life born november mary hospital scranton pennsylvania née siblings catholic family sister brothers james frank following mother irish northern irish descent roots variously attributed paternal grandparents oil businessman baltimore maryland english french irish ancestry paternal great great great grandfather born sussex england immigrated united_states maternal great grandfather member father earlier life suffered business time born years family live maternal grandparents scranton area went economic decline 1950s father find work family moved apartment delaware lived years moving house wilmington delaware better car salesman family circumstances middle class attended delaware standout wide receiver high school football team helped lead losing team undefeated season senior year played baseball team years participated anti segregation sit wilmington theatre academically average student considered natural leader students elected class president junior senior years graduated earned double major history political science graduating class rank classmates impressed abilities played blue freshman football team spring break bahamas met began dating affluent background new_york attended told aimed senator age president dropped junior year plan play varsity football team defensive enabling spend time visiting state entered receiving half scholarship based financial need additional assistance based academics description found law school biggest bore world pulled year accused having pages law review article said knowing proper rules citation permitted retake course receiving grade subsequently dropped record incident later attract attention accusations emerged received doctor graduating class admitted delaware bar received student draft period peak vietnam war reclassified available service having teenager took anti war demonstrations later saying time preoccupied marriage law school wore sports coats tie dyed negative impressions drinking alcohol families neighborhood led suffered childhood twenties overcame spending hours reciting poetry mirror early political career family life august law student married overcame parents initial reluctance roman catholic ceremony held catholic church children iii born months wilmington law firm headed prominent local republican later said thought republican disliked conservative racial politics incumbent democratic governor delaware supported liberal republican defeated terry local republicans tried recruit resisted republican presidential candidate registered independent instead resumed practicing law wilmington public defender firm headed locally active democrat named group trying reform state party switched registration democratic started firm corporate law appeal criminal law pay supplemented income managing properties later ran democrat liberal platform included support public housing suburban area won solid thousand vote margin usually republican district bad year democrats state taking seat talking running couple years served continuing private law practice issues addressed council opposition large highway projects disrupt wilmington neighborhoods including related interstate united_states senator election tragedy recovery new family entry election delaware presented unique longtime delaware political figure republican incumbent senator considering retirement likely left representative pete wilmington mayor divisive primary fight avoid president helped convince run party support democrat wanted run campaign virtually money given chance winning managed sister manage future campaigns staffed members family relied handed position papers meeting voters face face small size state lack major media market approach feasible receive assistance democratic campaign issues focused withdrawal vietnam environment civil rights mass transit taxation health care public dissatisfaction politics usual change summer trailed percentage points energy level attractive young family ability connect voters emotions gave advantage ready retire won november election upset margin votes december weeks election wife year old daughter killed automobile accident christmas shopping delaware station wagon hit tractor trailer pulled intersection truck driver cleared wrongdoing sons hunter survived accident taken hospital fair condition broken leg wounds hunter minor skull fracture head injuries doctors soon said considered resigning care persuaded senate majority leader sworn office january secretary senate small chapel wheeled leg traction hunter released members extended family witnesses television cameras present event received national attention age minimum age required hold office sixth youngest senator history senators took office reaching age accident left filled anger religious doubt liked walk neighborhoods night thought better chance finding fight known capable rage felt god played horrible trick home day young sons began practice day amtrak train hours way home wilmington suburbs washington continued senate career aftermath accident trouble focusing work appeared motions senator memoirs notes taking long single father years left standing orders interrupted senate time sons called remembrance wife daughter work december anniversary accident elder son delaware attorney general army judge advocate served iraq younger son hunter washington attorney died age year battle brain cancer time death widely seen democratic nominee governor delaware met grew pennsylvania teacher delaware met blind date arranged brother turned noticed photograph earlier advertisement local park wilmington delaware credit interest politics life june married catholic priest chapel united_nations new_york bachelor degree master degrees doctorate education daughter born social worker families wife roman catholics regularly attend mass joseph delaware early senate activities years senate focused legislation consumer protection environmental issues called greater government freshman senator named faces future time magazine profile mentioned happened family characterized self confident ambitious ranking minority member judiciary democratic floor manager successful passage civil praised modifying act provisions important legislative accomplishment point time considered running president year gained notice giving speeches party audiences simultaneously encouraged democrats foreign policy decade senate focused arms control issues response refusal salt treaty signed soviet leader president took initiative meet soviet foreign minister educated american concerns interests secured changes address objections reagan administration wanted interpret salt treaty loosely order allow strategic defense initiative proceed argued strict adherence treaty terms clashed reagan administration economic sanctions south_africa received considerable attention secretary state senate hearing administration support country continued practice system presidential campaign ran democratic presidential nomination formally declaring candidacy wilmington train station june attempting youngest president campaign began considered potentially strong candidate moderate image speaking ability appeal high profile position chair upcoming nomination hearings fundraising appeal raised million quarter candidate august campaign confused staff rivalries begun raised funds candidates seeing iowa polls september campaign ran trouble accused speech earlier year leader speech included lines thousand generations able university pointing wife audience woman family thousand generations able university predecessors thick speech included lines started thinking coming family university pointing wife audience wife sitting audience family college fathers mothers bright thousand generations college graduate degree rest fact cited source previous occasions reference original source august democratic debate reported august interview political speeches appropriate ideas language use came scrutiny fabricated aspects family background order match soon found earlier year lifted passages speech aides took blame short phrase inaugural address prior years passage days later incident law school came public light video released showing earlier questioned new_hampshire resident grades law school stated graduated half class attended law school scholarship received degrees college actual record school revelations limited news nomination race time public paying attention campaigns fell washington_post writer described year trend trial media ordeal lacked strong demographic political group support help survive crisis withdrew nomination race september saying candidacy overrun exaggerated shadow past mistakes withdrew race revealed campaign secretly video highlighting comparison distributed news outlets later cleared law school charges standing lawyer saying violated rules february suffering episodes increasingly severe neck pain taken long distance ambulance given surgery correct begun leaking situation priest administered rites hospital suffered represented major operation repair second caused symptoms risk performed recovery kept duties seven months effects retrospect family came believe early end presidential campaign blessing disguise campaigning midst early stopped seek medical attention condition long time member judiciary chaired served ranking minority member chairman presided contentious confirmation hearings history thomas hearings stated opposition soon nomination reversing approval interview hypothetical nomination previous year conservatives thought conduct hearings close won praise conducting proceedings fairly good humor courage presidential campaign collapsed middle hearings rejecting honest arguments opponents making framed discussion belief provides rights liberty privacy extend explicitly text strong incompatible view nomination rejected committee vote rejected senate margin thomas hearings questions constitutional issues long convoluted thomas forgot question asked viewers high profile hearings annoyed style thomas later wrote despite earlier private assurances senator questions akin nomination came committee recommendation opposed bad experiences presidential campaign reluctant let personal matters enter hearings initially shared committee public sexual harassment charges grounds willing testify permit witnesses testify behalf similar charge experts harassment said preserve thomas right privacy hearings nomination approved vote senate opposed strongly criticized liberal legal groups women groups having hearings having support hill subsequently sought women serve emphasized women issues committee legislative agenda involved crafting federal crime laws spearheaded known included expired year sunset period renewed included landmark violence women act contains broad array measures combat domestic violence supreme_court ruled united_states morrison section allowing federal civil remedy victims gender motivated violence exceeded congress authority unconstitutional congress said consider violence women act single significant legislation crafted year tenure senate enlisted major american technology companies problems austin texas based donate equipment expertise successful effort improve services critical actions independent counsel 1990s controversy scandal investigations said going cold day hell independent counsel granted powers voted charges president clinton chairman wrote laws created drug oversees coordinates national drug control policy april introduced controversial reducing americans vulnerability known rave act continued work stop spread date rape drugs drugs worked pass bill like drug baseball players kids legislation established public private partnership provide computer centers teachers internet access technical training young people particularly low income risk youth long time member ranking minority member chaired committee january june democrats took control senate following elections assumed spot committee generally liberal foreign policy collaborated effectively important republican senate figures went elements party chair senate partial list covering time showed meeting leaders nearly countries international organizations held frequent hearings chair committee holding hearings times chaired interested yugoslav wars hearing serbian abuses croatian war independence war broke lift strike policy lifting arms training muslims supporting nato air strikes investigating war crimes george bush administration clinton administration reluctant implement policy fearing balkan april spent week balkans held tense hour meeting serbian leader related told think damn war criminal tried wrote amendment bush administration arm deferred somewhat softer stance preferred clinton administration signing following year stronger measure sponsored engagement led successful nato effort called role affecting balkans policy mid-1990s moment public life related foreign policy war supported nato bombing campaign serbia montenegro sponsored friend john_mccain resolution called president clinton use necessary force including ground troops confront serbian actions named difference playing lead role foreign policy matters including nato successful passage bills foreign affairs agencies punish religious persecution overseas voted authorization gulf war siding democratic senators said bearing burden anti iraq coalition strong supporter war afghanistan saying takes iraq stated threat national security option eliminate threat october voted favor authorization use military force iraq iraq war soon critic war viewed vote mistake push require withdrawal supported pay occupation argued repeatedly war soldiers needed bush administration level american people cost length conflict late stance shifted opposed troop surge saying general dead flat wrong believing surge work instead leading advocate dividing iraq loose federation ethnic states november president emeritus released comprehensive strategy end violence iraq continuing present approach withdrawing plan called way iraq giving breathing room regions september non binding resolution passed senate endorsing scheme idea unfamiliar political constituency failed gain traction iraq political leadership united denouncing resolution facto country baghdad issued statement march secured brief release democracy activist political prisoner meeting leader tripoli sharply criticized president speech israel suggested democrats acting way western leaders hitler world war stated outrageous outrageous president united_states foreign country sit kind ridiculous statement later apologized stated administration think sit eliminate word vocabulary delaware matters familiar figure delaware constituency virtue daily train generally sought attend state needs strong supporter increased amtrak funding rail security hosted annual christmas dinner amtrak crews hold train night minutes catch earned nickname result amtrak wilmington station named honor trips advocate delaware military installations including dover air force base broke liberal took legislative action limit said bankrupt idea violated cardinal rule common sense opposition easier liberals follow suit years later wilmington federally mandated cross district plan generated turmoil trying compromise solution found black white voters beginning served professor delaware law school teaching constitutional law popular waiting list enrollment typically taught course professor taking half course minutes flying overseas classes sponsor bankruptcy legislation 2000s sought delaware largest companies credit card allowed amendment bill increase homestead exemption declaring bankruptcy fought amendment anti abortion bankruptcy discharge fines overall bill vetoed bill_clinton finally passed bankruptcy abuse prevention consumer protection act supporting region nation chicken producing area held trade agreements russia country stopped chickens requested gained million worth projects constituents congressional sits board advisors brings high school students washington interaction legislators characteristics senator following initial election elected additional terms elections usually getting percent vote face strong opposition governor chose run spent years junior senator year republican colleague defeated election delaware senior senator longest serving senator delaware history set mark youngest senator cast votes net worth outside income investment income consistently ranked wealthy members senate stated listed second member congress distinction proud attributed elected early career realized early career vulnerable poorer public officials offers financial contributions exchange policy support pushed campaign finance reform measures term years senator amassed reputation questions remarks senate hearings especially known long strong speaker frequent effective guest sunday morning talk shows public appearances known prepared remarks according political analyst shown persistent tendency silly offensive putting things new_york_times writes weak filters capable pretty known journalist written regard gifts considerable standards political writer said academic theoretical great street comes long line working people scranton auto car dealers people know sale great irish gift political columnist viewed having grown came washington failed presidential bid responds real people consistent ability understand deal politicians gotten better concludes kind fundamentally happy person generous presidential election ran democratic nomination president national ticket eventual nominee barack_obama running mate presidential campaign thought running president failed bid declared candidacy president january having discussed running months prior formal announcement january stating best january delaware newspaper columnist wrote occupies sensible center democratic_party concludes position desires campaign plans stress dangers security average american terrorist threat lack health assistance crime energy dependence unstable parts world campaign focused war iraq support implementation plan achieve political success touted record senate head major congressional committees experience foreign policy despite speculation contrary rejected notion accepting position secretary state focusing presidency campaign event said know lot opponents great secretary state seriously watch debates joe right joe right joe right candidates comments joe right democratic debates converted campaign theme stressed foreign policy expertise compared obama saying think ready right don believe presidency job training said obama copying foreign policy ideas noted liners campaign trail saying republican debate october philadelphia things mentions sentence overall debate performances effective mixture humor sharp surprisingly disciplined comments remarks campaign attracted controversy day january announcement spoke fellow democratic candidate senator barack_obama mean got mainstream african american articulate bright clean nice looking guy mean man comment undermined campaign soon began significantly damaged fund raising capabilities later took second place time magazine list campaign earlier criticized july remark support indian americans great relationship delaware largest growth population indian americans moving india slight indian accent later said remark intended overall difficulty raising funds struggled draw people rallies failed gain traction high profile obama senator rose single national polls democratic candidates initial contest january placed fifth iowa garnering slightly percent state delegates withdrew race evening saying sad tonight feel regret despite lack success stature political world rose result campaign particular changed relationship obama served close having resented obama quick rise political stardom obama having viewed having gotten know obama appreciated campaigning style appeal working class voters convinced obama real deal democratic nominee vice president shortly following withdrawal presidential race obama privately telling interested finding important place possible obama administration declined obama request vice presidential slot fearing vice presidency represent loss status voice senate position subsequently changed mind june interview nbc confirmed actively seeking spot ticket accept vice presidential nomination offered early august obama met secret discuss possible vice presidential relationship hit personally august barack_obama announced running mate new_york_times reported strategy choice reflected desire fill ticket foreign policy national security experience help ticket win swing state emphasize obama change message observers pointed appeal middle class blue collar voters willingness aggressively challenge republican nominee john_mccain way obama uncomfortable times accepting obama offer ruled possibility running president comments subsequent years stance wanting diminish political power appearing advancement officially nominated vice president august voice vote denver colorado selection vice presidential candidate criticized roman catholic diocese stance abortion goes church pro life beliefs teachings diocese confirmed elected vice president allowed speak catholic schools soon barred receiving holy communion bishop original hometown scranton pennsylvania support abortion rights continue receive communion local delaware parish scranton flash point competition swing state catholic voters democratic campaign liberal catholic groups stressed social issues considered abortion bishops conservative catholics maintained abortion paramount said believed life began conception impose personal religious views previously stated similar today accept statement public servant personally opposed human slavery racism impose personal conviction legislative arena likewise accept statement public servant personally opposed abortion impose personal conviction legislative arena vice presidential campaigning gained little media visibility far greater press attention focused republican running mate governor week september instance journalism found included percent news coverage race far candidates tickets focused campaigning economically challenged areas swing states trying win blue collar democrats especially supported attacked heavily despite long standing personal friendship guy know gone literally financial crisis reached peak crisis september proposed united_states financial system major factor campaign voted favor billion emergency economic act passed senate october participated campaign vice presidential debate post debate polls found exceeded voters expectations won debate overall october suspended campaign events days death mother law final days campaign focused populated older areas states especially florida ohio pennsylvania polling indicated popular obama campaigned performed democratic campaigned normally republican states areas large catholic populations instructions obama campaign kept speeches tried avoid hand remarks obama tested foreign power soon taking office attracted negative attention privately obama frustrated remarks saying times gon stupid obama campaign referred joe bombs kept strategy discussions turn relations campaigns strained month apologized obama built stronger partnership publicly obama said unexpected comments high popularity ratings nationally percent rating poll compared percent november obama elected president vice president united_states ticket won votes percent edge nationwide popular vote continued run senate seat vice president permitted delaware law november elected senator defeating republican donnell having won races point holding resignation senate sworn seventh term january youngest senator start seventh term said life greatest honor bestowed serving people delaware united_states senator cast senate vote january supporting release second billion resigned senate later day emotional farewell remarks senate floor spent adult life said good thing seen happen bold step taken plus years came application pressure interest groups maturation personal relationships vice presidency post election transition term presidential transition barack_obama began said daily meetings obama friend given celtic referencing irish roots chose veteran democratic lawyer aide chief staff bureau chief director communications intended eliminate explicit roles assumed vice presidency predecessor established autonomous power center said model vice presidency ones instead seek provide advice counsel critical decision obama said closely involved cabinet appointments transition named head new initiative aimed improving economic middle class act chairman went trip iraq afghanistan pakistan second week january meeting leadership countries 47th vice president united_states january inaugurated alongside president barack_obama united_states vice president delaware roman catholic attain office supreme_court justice administered oath office early months obama administration assumed role important scenes counselor role disputes obama team rivals president compared efforts basketball player bunch things don sheet played key role gaining senate support major pieces obama legislation main factor convincing senator switch republican democratic_party lost internal debate secretary state opposition sending new troops war afghanistan skeptical voice considered valuable administration later views achieved prominence white_house obama afghanistan strategy visits iraq months including trips baghdad august september listen prime minister iraq future time administration point man delivering messages iraqi leadership expected progress country generally overseeing iraq policy responsibility president said joe iraq said iraq great achievements administration january visit iraq midst turmoil banned candidates upcoming iraqi parliamentary election resulted candidates reinstated iraqi government days later trips oversight policy iraq exit troops charge oversight role infrastructure spending obama package intended help counteract ongoing recession stressed worthy projects funding talked hundreds governors local officials role period satisfied major instances waste corruption occurred completed role february said number fraud incidents percent took time cautious obama blunt work ways dealing late april message response question beginning flu outbreak advise family members travelling led swift white_house remark revived reputation led late night television jokes themed loose talking face rising unemployment july acknowledged administration bad economy maintained confidence package create jobs pace expenditures picked month secretary state clinton quickly remarks russia power despite retained obama confidence increasingly influential administration march microphone picked telling president signing affordable care act big fucking deal live national news white_house press secretary replied twitter yes vice president right senior obama advisor said loose talk makes vice president endearing wouldn change bit senate colleague said joe help like gained long running alter ego persona president vice satirical news site parodied job title despite different personalities obama formed friendship partly based obama daughter granddaughter attended important role administration question assumptions playing role obama said best thing joe everybody forces people think defend positions look things angle valuable senior obama advisor said prepared family picnic sure honest possible june represented united_states opening ceremony world cup attended england game tied visited egypt kenya south_africa joe maintained relaxed atmosphere official residence washington entertaining grandchildren regularly returned home delaware campaigned heavily democrats elections maintaining attitude optimism face general predictions large scale losses party following large scale republican gains elections departure white_house chief staff past relationships republicans congress important led successful administration effort gain senate approval new start treaty december advocacy white_house middle ground followed direct negotiations senate minority leader instrumental producing administration compromise tax package revolved temporary extension bush tax cuts took lead trying sell agreement reluctant democratic caucus congress passed tax relief unemployment insurance job creation act march obama detailed lead negotiations houses congress white_house resolving federal spending levels rest year avoid government panel congressional members trying reach deal raising debt ceiling overall deficit reduction plan debt ceiling crisis developed couple months relationship proved key factor breaking finally bringing deal resolve form signed august day unprecedented default spent time congress debt question administration republican said guy real negotiating authority knows word good key deal election campaign october stated obama asked remain running mate presidential election obama popularity decline late white_house chief staff conducted secret polling focus group research idea secretary state clinton replacing ticket notion dropped results showed improvement obama white_house officials later said obama entertained idea statement absolutely comfortable sex marriage gained considerable public attention comparison president obama position described evolving statement administration consent obama aides obama planned shift position months later build party convention previously president avoid issue key catholic voters offended gay rights advocates seized stance days obama announced supported sex marriage action forced unexpected remarks apologized obama private having spoken obama acknowledged publicly heart incident showed struggled times message discipline time wrote knows greatest strength greatest weakness relations strained campaigns appeared use bolster fundraising contacts possible run presidential election vice president ended excluded obama campaign strategy meetings obama campaign valued retail level politician connect blue collar workers rural residents heavy schedule appearances swing states obama election campaign began earnest spring august remark mixed race audience proposed republican wall street regulations chains led similar analysis face face campaigning abilities versus tendency track los_angeles_times wrote candidates speech putting reporters audience sleep speech dozen moments press prompt reporters turn amusement confusion time magazine wrote goes far familiar washington mix brain wired usual officially nominated second term vice president september voice vote charlotte north_carolina faced republican counterpart representative lone vice presidential debate october kentucky emotional defense obama administration record attacked republican ticket effort regain campaign momentum lost obama debate performance republican nominee week november president vice president elected second terms ticket won votes percent edge nationwide popular vote post election second term december named obama head gun violence task force created address causes gun violence united_states aftermath shooting later month final days country fell fiscal cliff relationship proved important negotiated deal led american relief act passed start permanent bush tax cuts raised rates upper income levels inaugurated second term early morning january small ceremony official residence justice presiding public ceremony took place january continued forefront wake shooting obama administration forth executive orders proposed legislation new gun control measures legislation failed pass discussions led october passage continuing act resolved federal government debt ceiling crisis played little role senate majority leader democratic leaders cutting vice president direct talks congress feeling given away previous negotiations violence women act act led related developments creation begun term begun january chair iraq fell apart renewed attention paid iraqi plan observers suggesting right said follow gates hell series events placed hands women girls talked closely attracted attention press social media case senator issued statement afterward saying daughter doesn think vice president creepy january secret service agents heard shots fired vehicle drove near delaware residence outside security perimeter vice president wife home vehicle observed agent leaving scene high rate speed february gave speech academy awards awareness sexual assault introduced lady_gaga death years family members died automobile accident family struck second family tragedy son died brain cancer age battling years nature seriousness illness previously disclosed public quietly reduced public schedule order spend time son time death widely seen democratic nominee governor delaware vice president issued statement saying entire family words presidential race second term said preparing possible bid democratic presidential nomination january date successful candidate sworn oldest president inauguration history family friends donors encouraging enter race hillary_clinton ratings decline time reported seriously considering prospect draft established september uncertain run cited recent death son large drain emotional energy right seek office willing october speaking podium rose garden wife president obama announced decision enter race democratic presidential nomination election january affirmed running right decision admitted running president day end january president barack_obama endorsed candidate presidential election miss annual thanksgiving tradition going opting instead travel abroad meet european leaders took time meet having previously met meetings considered endorsements said meet candidate asks following obama endorsement hillary_clinton june endorsed later day clinton supposed campaign scranton july appearance canceled clinton light shooting dallas police officers previous day political positions supported deficit spending fiscal increased infrastructure spending proposed obama administration mass transit including amtrak bus subway subsidies sex marriage reduced military spending proposed fiscal year budget method political scientists use ideology compare annual ratings americans ratings lifetime liberal percent score awarded lifetime conservative rating percent metric lifetime average liberal score percent according analysis places center senate democrats rates congressional votes liberal conservative political spectrum policy areas economic social foreign average ratings follows economic rating percent liberal percent conservative social rating percent liberal percent conservative foreign rating percent liberal percent conservative changed time liberal ratings mid-1980s percent range advocacy groups given scores grades votes align positions group gives percent lifetime score percent score opposes drilling oil supports governmental funding find new energy sources believes action taken global warming sponsored sense senate resolution calling united_states united_nations climate negotiations boxer global warming pollution reduction act stringent climate bill united_states senate given percent lifetime approval rating voted december spoke ukraine parliament awards honors received honorary degrees alma mater alma mater received chancellor medal alma mater received syracuse highest alumni award excellence public affairs received best improving american quality life family friendly work policies magazine shared fellow senator pakistan award government pakistan recognition consistent support pakistan received golden medal freedom award region highest award vocal support independence late 1990s named senators popularly elected office january year term appointed fill existing writings
Joe Biden