A story from Jean Carnahan about Joe Biden

[MelissaB]

Last edited Wed Apr 3, 2019, 10:56 PM - Edit history (1)

I worked with @JoeBiden in the U.S. Senate. I’d like to share some thoughts about my time with him. 1/8

Link to tweet

I arrived in the U.S. Senate after losing my husband and son in a plane crash weeks earlier. As I stepped down from the platform, where I was sworn in by Vice President Gore, waiting at the landing was Joe Biden. 2/8

Joe had entered the Senate in 1973, weeks after experiencing the loss of his wife and daughter in a car crash. Joe didn’t know me, only my loss during the final days of the 2000 campaign for the Senate seat in Missouri. 3/8

Joe took both of my hands in his and looked me in the eye for a long while before he spoke. He said simply, “I know, I know.” For a brief moment we were two souls joined by a loss that changed our lives. After that, Joe would often pause to ask how I was getting along. 4/8


It was his empathy and encouragement more than that of any of my colleagues, that gave me strength to meet each day. And, yes, I sometimes, got a shoulder pat or even a head kiss. Joe has a deep desire to share in the lives of others---their grief, pain, and joy. 5/8

He reaches out through the human touch to connect and express those feelings. As Mother Teresa said, “People have forgotten what the human touch is, what it is to smile, for somebody to recognize them, somebody to wish them well.” 6/8

Joe has not forgotten this; it’s part of who he is. Like everything else about his big, Irish personality, he expresses those feelings with exuberance and sincerity. 7/8

It’s been said that healing from a loss is like having a pebble in your shoe. It’s always there, but you keep on walking. Joe, keep on walking. Our country needs a little humanity right now. 8/8

I Joe!

[skylucy]

1. How beautiful. That brought tears to my eyes.

K & R a zillion times!

[stonecutter357]

2. K&R

[question everything]

3. My heart goes to her

What happened to us? How did reaching out in caring and sympathy ended up in derision and disdain?

It is not a matter of "believing" her; of course he hugged her. That she is so insecure - childhood trauma? - that she feels "uncomfortable" is her problem. And, as with Franken, the timing is suspect.

[NBachers]

4. The pride I feel in my fellow authentic Democrats is like the warm sun rising in my heart.

[Thekaspervote]

5. Oh my gosh!!! Thx for sharing

[KT2000]

6. I love Joe too

he is human and definitely not scripted. Refreshing

[abqtommy]

7. I don't need to read feel-good articles about Joe Biden.

I know he's a decent guy. He's a Democrat, right? What I want to see kept in the headlines and in peoples' faces is the perfidy of Trump and Republicons, their criminal behavior and steps being taken to remove them from power. We shouldn't need to waste our time attacking or defending Democrats!

[Silver Gaia]

8. Lovely story.

Beautiful.

[UniteFightBack]

9. When you've suffered a great loss it often gives you great empathy and that is what he has. nt

[Bettie]

10. I've wondered if it is because of his many losses

that he is so outwardly affectionate with people.

[Bayard]

11. I really like this quote

Speaking to the families of fallen soldiers in 2012, the Vice President – who had his own brush with death in 1988 after undergoing surgery for two brain aneurysms – sounded a hopeful note to those dealing with grief.

“There will come a day,” he told them, “when the thought of your son or daughter, or your husband or wife, brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye.”

This is a man who is lightyears ahead of tRump in life experience and humanity. I've changed my preference to him because I do think he is our best chance at ousting the imbecile. Just wish he'd go ahead and make it official!

[Desert grandma]

12. This is the type of story

that should be receiving media attention. There are many of these stories. Instead, the media is focusing on "he invaded my personal space", claims by a few women who just might have an ulterior motive to remove Joe from contention. . This is shameful. We should not give any more attention to them. Do we want to win in 2020 or not? Joe Biden is a decent, human being who can regain the trust of our allies. He will win in the important rust belt states for an electoral win. Senator Sanders, however well meaning, will never win the voters in the rust belt IMO. I just DO NOT want to be stuck with dumb trump for another term. He has already done a lot of harm to our institutional norms. I will vote blue no matter who...BUT I sure do hope our candidate is someone who can defeat the Orange Buffoon.