Biden's family tragedy

[question everything]

I am not familiar with the details of the life of Joe Biden, but my heart skipped a bit when he talked about the loss of his wife and daughter in a car accident.

[Maat]

1. Yes, that was very sad.

I kind of automatically said a prayer (headed some positive energy) his way.

[babylonsister]

2. Here's wiki's take:

Edited to remove a brainless statement I made.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden

In 1966, while in law school, Biden married Neilia Hunter. They had three children, Joseph R. III (Beau), Robert Hunter, and Amy. His wife and infant daughter died in an automobile accident shortly after he was first elected to the U.S. Senate. His two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured in the accident, but both eventually made full recoveries. Biden was sworn into office from their bedside. Persuaded not to resign in order to care for them, Biden began the practice of commuting an hour and a half each day on the train from his home in the Wilmington suburbs to Washington, DC.

[SoxFan]

4. It's not "woe is me"

Just weeks after a stunning triumph, being elected the nation's youngest senator in a shocking upset, Biden suffered a horrific personal tragedy. I think you underestimate the extent to which this impacted Biden's psyche. I've talked to Biden and members of his family, and I can assure you that this experience had a genuine and profound impact on the entire Biden clan.

[babylonsister]

8. I wouldn't know about Biden's current psyche, but I can't even imagine

going through something like that.

[dsc]

5. It happened in 1972, not 1966

but aside from that, he mentioned it because it was relevent. He was saying why his kids went to a particular private school which was the whole point of the question.

[babylonsister]

7. You're right, he was responding to a question. My bad. I guess he

couldn't really have answered it without giving us some background.

[question everything]

9. Thank you, yes. I did not even remember in what context

he made that comment.. it was the comment itself that struck me.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. He was asked about his kids' schooling

His personal tragedy was very much on point in answering the question.

For what its worth, I find Biden mostly way to much a blow hard and more politician than person, but for as long as I've known of him, I've never seen him exploit this tragedy. Neither does he hide it, but I'm unaware of his using it for pure political gain. Bringing it up as he did last night is about as far as he ever seems to go - at least so far as I know.

[babylonsister]

11. You are right, and I retracted my initial reaction. I had never even

heard about the accident until last week, so he doesn't try to exploit it.

[SoxFan]

3. A little backstory

Biden's wife, Nelia, and their three children were returning from Christmas shopping in December of 1972 when a truck slammed into their car. Nelia and daughter Amy were killed, and sons Hunter and Beau were badly injured. Biden considered refusing to take his Senate seat so that he could care for his sons. Ultimately, some of the Democratic old bulls like Hubert Humphrey and Bill Fulbright persuaded Biden to take his seat. Biden's parents and siblings pitched in and helped take care of Beau and Hunt.

Biden commuted daily between Wilmington and DC, and continues to do so. He has never owned or rented a home in the DC area.

[NCarolinawoman]

6. His two young sons were in the same car when their mother and little sister were killed.

One of my in-laws, who is a physician, worked closely with the little boys and Joe Biden, during this trauma. I know the little boys had to go through several years of psychological counseling.

The sons overcame this tragedy and are now very productive citizens in their own right.

My in-law who worked with them was very impressed with the way Joe Biden dealt with all of this, and ended up liking him very much as an individual.

[jillan]

12. Can you imagine being at work, a 29 year old Senator

and getting that phone call?

I heard Biden speak about it once and he said he never asked who caused the accident.
He never wanted to know.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

13. It was very tragic. Biden is a good man who thankfully overcame this nt