Biden worries about son in Iraq
WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden said he worries about his son who is serving in Iraq, but tries to not look at the ongoing war solely as a father.
President Barack Obama called Biden “very valuable” during a profile that aired Sunday on CBS News’ “60 Minutes.”
“You know, Joe’s not afraid to tell me what he thinks,” Obama said. “And that’s exactly what I need, and exactly what I want.”
In a wide-ranging profile, Biden said he remains physically affectionate with his two adult sons, 40-year-old Beau and 39-year-old Hunter Biden, and doesn’t shy from calling them “honey.”
“I think they feel good about it,” Biden said. “When we see each other we hug and kiss.”
He said he is proud of his sons, including Beau, a captain in the Army National Guard serving in Iraq. But Biden also said he worries about his son’s safety.
“I’ve ridden home with too many dead young men and women in caskets and it’s just impossible to not associate with that,” said Biden, whose daughter and first wife died in a 1972 automobile accident. “I mean, you think as a parent, God forbid, how would I, how would I respond?”
He said his approach as a father is simple: “The way I deal with it is I don’t think about it that way. I’m proud of him. He’s a good man.”
Biden, who was among the least affluent members of the Senate, said his economic standing hasn’t changed since taking office as the nation’s No. 2 official.
“Now he’s the poorest vice president,” his wife, Jill Biden, said with a laugh.
She downplayed her day job teaching English at Northern Virginia Community College.
“I’m no different than most American women who are raising children and working,” Mrs. Biden said. Her husband said she brings home papers to grade every day.
Biden and Obama both said they talk about the vice president’s sometimes colorful gaffes.
“If Joe was off message on a particular day, usually I don’t have to bring it up,” Obama said. “He’s the first one to come to me and say: ‘You know what? I’m not sure that’s exactly how we want to position ourselves.’
“The flip side is: If I’m off message, he’s not going to be bashful about saying, “You know, Mr. President, I think …,’” Obama added.
Related News
Vice President Biden welcomes son home to Del. from yearlong National Guard deployment to IraqSeptember 30th, 2009 Biden welcomes son home from guard service in IraqDOVER, Del. — Having been welcomed home by his father, Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware's attorney general traded hugs and handshakes Wednesday with other members of his Army National Guard unit after a yearlong deployment in Iraq.
Biden reassures Md. seniors: 'Nobody is going to mess with your benefits'September 23rd, 2009 Biden tells Md. seniors reform won't hurt MedicareSILVER SPRING, Md.
Biden confident Iraq won't alter withdrawal timetable for US troopsSeptember 17th, 2009 Biden: Iraq won't alter troop withdrawal timingBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden says he is confident that Iraq will not alter the timetable for the withdrawal of American troops. Biden told reporters in Baghdad on Thursday that there are a number of steps that would have to be taken before Iraq could call a referendum that could alter the so-called status of forces agreement.
VP Biden meets in Baghdad with Iraqi officials in bid to smooth political differencesSeptember 16th, 2009 Biden meets in Baghdad with Iraqi officialsBAGHDAD — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is meeting with a broad spectrum of Iraqi officials in Baghdad on a trip where he hopes to smooth political differences as the American military moves ahead with plans to pull troops out of the country.
Biden says terrorist violence won't destabilize Iraq as more rockets fired at Green ZoneSeptember 16th, 2009 Biden confident in stable Iraq amid rocket attacksBAGHDAD — Insurgents fired at least two rockets at the Baghdad's Green Zone Wednesday, just minutes after Vice President Joe Biden wrapped up meetings with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki expressing confidence that attempts to destabilize Iraq through violence will fail. The sound of the rockets being fired could be heard on the side of the Tigris River opposite the Green Zone, and people inside al-Maliki's office where the meetings took place, including Biden and al-Maliki themselves, were warned to stay inside.
Biden meets with political leaders, 3 suspects in rocket attack releasedSeptember 16th, 2009 Biden meets with political leaders in IraqBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden met with senior Iraqi officials on his first full day in Iraq on Wednesday as he sought to smooth political differences among its fractious political leadership as the American military moves ahead with plans to pull troops out of the country. Biden's arrival was marred by a rocket attack against the Green Zone on Tuesday evening that killed two Iraqi civilians.
Biden pushes Iraq leaders on reconciliation as rocket attack suspects releasedSeptember 16th, 2009 Biden pushes Iraq leaders for reconciliationBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden sought to smooth political differences among Iraq's fractious political officials on his first full day in the country, as the American military moves ahead with plans to pull troops out of the country. Biden's arrival was marred by a rocket attack against the Green Zone on Tuesday evening that killed two Iraqi civilians.
Biden says terrorist violence won't destabilize IraqSeptember 16th, 2009 Biden confident in stable IraqBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden expressed confidence Wednesday that attempts to destabilize Iraq through violence will fail, and said the country's future depended on its ability to resolve its lingering political and sectarian differences. Meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in his Baghdad office, Biden said the United States was "committed to the Iraqi government and people as they work to create a peaceful and prosperous Iraq."
Biden's arrival was marred by a rocket attack against the Green Zone on Tuesday evening that killed two Iraqi civilians.
Father of soldier returning from Iraq killed on the way to reunionAugust 28th, 2009 Father of soldier returning from Iraq killedFORT CARSON, Colo. — A soldier returning home from Iraq received grim news as soon as he arrived — his father died in a car crash while en route to greet him.
Jill Biden meets troops in Germany to mark US Independence DayJuly 3rd, 2009 Jill Biden meets troops in GermanyBAMBERG, Germany — Jill Biden, the wife of the U.S. vice president, observed U.S.
Biden in Iraq to discuss the future of US troops after their withdrawal from urban areasJuly 3rd, 2009 Vice President Biden discusses US future in IraqBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden discussed the future of the American mission in Iraq Friday with the top two U.S. officials there following the withdrawal of most troops from the cities.
US vice president meets American military, diplomatic leadership in IraqJuly 3rd, 2009 Vice President Biden meets America's Iraq leadersBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden met with the top American military commander and diplomat on Friday as he made his first visit to Iraq after being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy. Biden's arrival in Baghdad late Thursday came just days after all U.S.
White House says VP Biden in Iraq, made surprise trip there as US troops leave citiesJuly 2nd, 2009 White House: VP Biden has traveled to IraqWASHINGTON — The White House says Vice President Joe Biden is in Iraq. He's there to visit U.S.
Two-time presidential candidate Joe Biden won't rule out White House aspirationsJune 14th, 2009 Biden still has his eye on the Oval OfficeWASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden isn't ruling out his own presidential aspirations. The two-time presidential candidate says the current lineup is the right one, with Biden as President Barack Obama's No.
Biden teases Obama over teleprompter dependenceMay 28th, 2009 COLORADO - Vice President Joe Biden teased his boss President Barack Obama on Wednesday over his teleprompter dependence. Speaking at the Air Force Academy commencement ceremony in Colorado, Biden poked fun at Obama's known affinity for his teleprompter.
Loading ...