Joe Biden: Vice President-Elect, Dedicated Grandpa
A loving grandpa who just happens to be a really important guy
by Stewart Coerver
Vice President-Elect Joe Biden may be busy making the transition from Delaware Senator to his new home at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., but he still made time over the Thanksgiving holiday for his children and grandchildren.
"Yes, he was definitely with his family this past week," said Danielle S. Borrin, Senator Biden's deputy press secretary.
On January 20, 2009, Biden will officially step into his new role as one of the nation's leaders during a profoundly demanding moment in history. One role he will not leave behind is that of doting grandfather to his five grandchildren — Hunter, 2; Natalie, 4; Maisy, 8; Finnegan, 10; and Naomi,14. In fact, Biden sees his grandchildren as a
 Little Joe with his sister Val and their Grandpa Finnegan |
touchstone to why he wants to tackle the endemic issues that could threaten the American way of life for generations to come.
"When I look at [Barack and Michelle Obama's] young children, when I look at my grandchildren, I know why I'm here" said Biden in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention this summer.
Biden's family is so important to him that he announced he'd been tapped for the life-changing nomination at his granddaughter Maisy's eighth birthday party. "We had just finished blowing out the candles and were cutting the cake," wife Jill Biden told People magazine. "Joe said to everybody, 'Hey, I have something that I'd like to announce.' And he said, 'Barack called me and asked me to be vice president.' Everybody — I get so emotional when I think about it — and everybody clapped and started hugging."
 The Biden family gathered for Thanksgiving in Nantucket, Mass., November 2006 |
This was no manufactured photo op. "Every single birthday, all of our kids and grandkids — no matter where they are — they come home to our house,"
Biden told
People. "We have this big, old farm table [in the kitchen], and that's where we were. Maisy was totally unfazed. She said, 'Pop, can I have some more ice cream cake?'"
While Maisy treats her grandpa like any other member of the family, Biden is highly respected by many of his colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, for his dedication to family despite his great responsibilities to the citizens he represents.
"He's a good guy, he loves his family," Michelle Obama told People . "I like the fact that
 Senator Biden and his wife, Jill, and sons Beau and Hunter |
he's on the train every day getting back home. Those are the kind of values that I respect."
Apparently, Biden's good-natured ways have been passed down to his grandchildren, who've had sleepovers with the Obama children, according to The New York Times. The overnight included pizza, popcorn, and DVDs. While his schedule will certainly change, the veep-to-be is expected to continue enjoying family celebrations.
Learn about America's new first grandma, Marian Robinson.
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