Joe Biden (born November 20, 1942) is the current President, the former Vice President of the United States of America, elected on the ticket with Barack Obama in November 2008. He was a United States Senator from Delaware from January 3, 1973 until his resignation on January 15, 2009, following his election to the Vice Presidency.
See also: Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign
Early Life
Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph Robinette Biden, Sr. (1915–2002) and Catherine Eugenia Finnegan (1917–2010). He is the oldest of four sibblings in an Irish Catholic family.
Education
Biden attended the Archmere Academy in Claymont. He attended the University of Delaware in Newark, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in history and political science in 1965. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968.
Family
On August 27, 1966, while studying at Syracuse University, Biden married Neilia Hunter. The couple had three children, Beau (born 1969), Robert (born 1970) and Naomi (born 1971). On Dec. 18, 1972, a few weeks after his successful bid for the Delaware seat in the U.S. Senate, Biden's wife and one-year-old Naomi were killed in an automobile accident in Delaware.
On June 17, 1977, Biden married Jill Jacobs. They have one daughter, Ashley (born 1981).
The Bidens are Roman Catholics and regularly attend Mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Greenville, Delaware.
Political career
After graduating from law school, he returned to Delaware to work as an attorney before quickly turning to politics, serving on the New Castle county council from 1970 to 1972. Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972 at the age of 29, becoming the fifth youngest senator in history. He went on to win reelection six times and became Delaware's longest-serving senator. In addition to his role as U.S. senator, Biden also served as an adjunct professor at the Wilmington, Del., branch of the Widener University School of Law in 1991.
As a senator, Biden focused on foreign relations, criminal justice, and drug policy. He served on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, twice as its chair (2001–03; 2007–09), and on the Committee on the Judiciary, serving as its chair from 1987 to 1995. He was particularly outspoken on issues related to the Kosovo conflict of the late '90s, urging U.S. action against Serbian forces to protect Kosovars against an offensive by Serbian Pres. Slobodan Miloševi. On the Iraq War, Biden proposed a partition plan as a way to maintain a united, peaceful Iraq. Biden also was a member of the International Narcotics Control Caucus and was the lead senator in writing the law that established the office of “drug czar,” a position that oversees the national drug-control policy.[1]
Soviet trip
In 1979, on one of his first trips to the Soviet Union, Biden listened to an argument from his Soviet counterpart, and replied, “Where I come from, we have a saying: You can’t shit a shitter.” Bill Bradley, then a fellow-senator on the delegation, later asked the American interpreter how he had translated Biden’s comment into Russian. “Not literally,” the interpreter said.[2]
Soviet negotiations
Attitude to Soviet dissidents
Vadim Zagladin, was deputy chief of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee’s International Department until 1987 and then Mikhail Gorbachev’s advisor until 1991. Zagladin was both envoy and spy, charged with gathering secrets, spreading disinformation, and advancing Soviet influence.
Zagladin’s wrote this of his dealings with Senators Joe Biden, and Richard Lugar in 1979?
- Unofficially, [Senator Joseph] Biden and [Senator Richard] Lugar said that, in the end of the day, they were not so much concerned with having a problem of this or that citizen solved as with showing to the American public that they do care for “human rights.” . . . In other words, the collocutors directly admitted that what is happening is a kind of a show, that they absolutely do not care for the fate of most so-called dissidents.[3]
Poor peoples Campaign
Gerry Adams connection
Joe Biden with Gerry Adams and Rita O'Hare.
"Friends of Ireland"
March 16 1981, twenty-four American political figures, most of them of Irish ancestry, urged an end to the fear and the terrorism and the bigotry in Northern Ireland and proposed that the Reagan Administration find a way to promote a peaceful settlement of the Ulster conflict.
In a joint St. Patrick's Day statement, the 24 - including Governor Carey, Governor Byrne, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York and Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts -announced the creation of an organization seeking to facilitate greater understanding of the positive role America can play resolving this tragic conflict.
They stressed that the organization, known as the Friends of Ireland, will seek the unification of the six counties of Northern Ireland with the Irish Republic but that the goal can be reached only with the consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland, and with full safeguards for the rights of both sections of the community.
It was the fourth consecutive year that the group had issued a statement on St. Patrick's Day calling for an end to violence in Ulster, but it was the first time it had sought to define a role for the United States. The group was set up to counter a vocal lobby for the Irish Republican Army.
Two-thirds of the people of Northern Ireland are Protestants, while the Irish Republic is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. Efforts to resolve the violent conflict between Protestants and Catholics, and work out a settlement aimed at erasing the border, have been thwarted by terrorists on both sides.
The statement urged the Administration to play a constructive role in Northern Ireland and support a policy that helps bring terrorism to an end, that demands respect for the human rights of all the people of Northern Ireland, that recognizes the legitimate aspirations of both the Protestant and Catholic communities, and that strengthens the ties between two of America's closest friends - Ireland and Great Britain.
The Irish Government promptly applauded the creation of the group. In a statement released by the Irish Embassy here, Prime Minister Charles Haughey said that the links between the Irish and American peoples, which are of such long standing, will be even further strengthened by the setting up of this group.
In their statement, the political figures said that the Friends of Ireland will be open to all members of Congress and will strive to inform Congress and the country fully about all aspects of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
It will emphasize our concern, the statement said, for both the Catholic and Protestant traditions in Ireland. Besides Governors Carey and Byrne and Senators Moynihan and Kennedy, the following officials signed the statement: The Speaker of the House, Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. Gov. J. Joseph Garrahy of Rhode Island Senator Joe Biden, Democrat of Delaware, Senator Alan Cranston, Democrat of California Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, Senator Thomas Eagleton, Democrat of Missouri Senator Daniel Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii Senator, Patrick Leahy, Democrat of Vermont Senator George Mitchell, Democrat of Maine Senator Claiborne Pell, Democrat of Rhode Island, Senator William Proxmire, Democrat of Wisconsin Representative Edward Boland, Democrat of Massachusetts, Representative Charles Dougherty, Republican of Pennsylvania Representative Thomas Foley, Democrat of Washington Representative James Howard, Democrat of New Jersey, Representative Paul N. McCloskey, Jr., Republican of California Representative Joseph McDade, Republican of Pennsylvania Representative Ed Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts. Representative James Shannon, Democrat of Massachusetts, Representative Pat Williams, Democrat of Montana.[4]
1988 backers
Bob Burkett was a key fund-raiser for the anticipated 1988 presidential campaign of Sen. Joe Biden's (D-Del.). Carl Rheuban. The lowest-of-profiles. Beverly Hills financier. Philanthropic. Chairman of State of Israel Bonds Organization and a backer of Sen. Joe Biden .[5]
UN booster
Writing in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Oct 1993, John Isaacs, executive director of Council for a Livable World, Bulletin contributing editor said "Not that there aren't UN boosters in Congress, including such senators as Indiana Republican Richard Lugar, and Democrats Joe Biden of Delaware, David Boren of Oklahoma, Paul Simon of Illinois.
On July 14 Biden, Boren, Simon and Pell introduced a bill calling on the United States to to designate specific forces for peacekeeping under Article 43 of the UN Charter. A companion measure was introduced in the House by New Jersey Democrat Robert Toricelli.
Socialist ties
Joe Biden has ties to the US and international socialist movements.
Employed Jared Bernstein
Given "the critical nature of the economic challenges facing America", Vice President-elect Joe Biden, December 2008 announced the creation of a new position in the Office of the Vice President: Chief Economist and Economic Policy Advisor to the Vice President. The Vice President-elect has selected nationally-prominent economist Jared Bernstein for the post.
- "Jared Bernstein is an acclaimed economist, and a proven, passionate advocate for raising the incomes of middle class families. His expertise and background in a wide range of domestic and international economic policies will be an invaluable asset to the Obama-Biden Administration,” said Vice President-elect Joe Biden. "It’s an honor to have him on my team and I look forward to his advice and counsel."[6]
PES connection
The Party of European Socialists dialogue with the US Democrats and the Transatlantic partnership "was a priority over the last years" (written in 2009).
Delegations, meetings and exchanges of information were held on a regular basis.
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen attended Inauguration Day, on 20 January 2009 in Washington D.C., with the Oaths of Office to President-elect Barack Obama and to Vice President-elect Joe Biden.[7]
Progressive Governance Summit
Joe Biden, Michelle BacheletU.S. Vice President Joe Biden was in Chile. April 2009, to attend a summit of leaders from Latin America and Europe.
Biden flew to Chile early Friday and went to the resort city of Vina del Mar, where the Progressive Governance Summit would take place on Saturday.
Biden's three-day visit included bilateral talks with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and other visiting leaders.
Also attending the summit were British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Brazilan President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.[8]
Rudy deLeon, senior vice president for national security programs at the Center for American Progress, also attended.[9]
Alo there were Simon Rosenberg, (New Democratic Network), James Purnell (UK secretary of state for work and pensions), Francesco Rutelli, Mona Sahlin (Sweden) is leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party), Nick Rowley (Kinesis), Robert Reich, Frans Timmermans (Netherlands) is Dutch minister for European affairs and member of parliament for the LaborParty).
PES visit
From 21-25 June 2010, a high level Party of European Socialists delegation headed by Poul Nyrup Rasmussen travelled to Canada for the International Trade Union Confederation Congress in Vancouver and the G20 summit. The delegation presented the PES “A Progressive way out of the Crisis” strategy, which aims to impose strict financial regulation and fostered support for a global financial transactions tax (FTT) of 0.05%.
In Vancouver, Mr. Rasmussen met with Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Director General of the IMF, Pascal Lamy Director General of the WTO, Helen Clark of the UNDP and Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO. He also met with NDP Member of Parliament Peter Julian, to discuss the FTT and with the President of the Canadian Labour Congress Ken Georgetti.
During the four day visit to North America, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen also gave a speech to the Socialist International Council in New York on 21 June 2010 and met with members of the US Congress in Washington.
Mr. Rasmussen held comprehensive and very promising meetings for future cooperation, with US Congressman Peter DeFazio and with Jared Bernstein, Chief Economist of US Vice President Joe Biden. [10]
Meeting Skip Roberts
Joe Biden, Skip Roberts, 2011, 06, 29In June 2011, Biden was photographed with regular Democratic Socialists of America delegate to the Socialist International, Skip Roberts.
Backing Bachelet
March 2014, amidst a cheering crowd of 5,000 people at the presidential palace in Santiago, Chile, Michelle Bachelet, 62, got sworn in as the president. Meanwhile United States vice president Joe Biden, and presidents and leaders of Latin America looked on.
President Bachelet, a socialist, is the first female president of Chile, but this is her second term as president. Bachelet was also president from 2006-2010. During her time off after 2010, however, Bachelet was not sitting on her hands. By September of the same year, she became the Under-Secretary General and Executive Director for UN Women.
Bachelet's political campaign that got her elected was similar to that of President Barack Obama's, The Washington Times noted. Bachelet's focused much of her attention on the income gap between the rich and the poor, as well as education reform.
Bachelet's "New Majority" coalition also helped get her elected. The New Majority is in fact a programmatic and political agreement among Left parties, and the Center parties such as socialist parties, communist parties, Christian Democratic parties (the biggest party group among them); and Social Democratic parties such as Party for Democracy. More movements that helped Bachelet get elected include the street activists and former student leaders.
Both Obama and Biden openly supported Bachelet's election. The White House released a fact sheet on their website solidifying the United States and Chile's relationship. The White House emphasizes the "long-standing" alliance and close ties that both countries have had. [11]
Bachelet inauguration
Beatriz Manz (left) with Vice President Joe Biden (right)Beatriz Manz was honored with an invitation to the inauguration of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, in March 2014.
In addition to rubbing elbows with Chile’s elite, she met Vice President Joe Biden. Manz told of this exchange:
I said, “I am Beatriz Manz from Berkeley.” Biden said “Oh, you must be a radical” I responded: “Of course I am a radical!”[12]
NDI connection
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) announced today that Vice President Joe Biden will headline its annual Democracy Award Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014.
The theme of this year’s dinner is “From Protest to Politics: Honoring Ukraine’s New Democrats.” Three young Ukrainian activists -- Hanna Hopko, Serhiy Leshchenko and Oleksandr Solontay -- will receive the Democracy Award at the dinner.
Vice President Biden, who received NDI’s Democracy Award in 2004 when he was a member of the U.S. Senate, will deliver the keynote address.
Each of the honorees had achieved prominence in their respective fields before the political situation in Ukraine prompted them to take part in the demonstrations that led to the fall of the country’s autocratic government earlier this year. They have now transitioned to the political arena. Two of them -- Hopko and Leshchenko -- were elected to parliament on political party lists on Oct. 26.
The dinner will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 1120 22nd St., NW, Washington, DC. It will begin at 7 p.m. and will be preceded by a reception at 5:30. More information about the dinner may be found here.
“These honorees represent a new generation of Ukrainian leaders,” said former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, NDI’s chairman, who will also make remarks at the dinner. “Their commitment and dedication to Ukraine’s democratic future can serve as an inspiration to those who struggle around the world to build democracy in their own countries.”
Hopko, who has a Ph.D. in social communications, helped to launch the “Reanimation Package of Reforms,” an innovative effort to promote democratic legislation. She was recently named one of Foreign Policy’s 100 Global Thinkers of 2014. Leshchenko is an investigative journalist and deputy editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda, and Oleksandr Solontay is a political analyst at Kyiv’s Institute of Political Education.
The Euromaidan protests erupted in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, last November over widespread corruption, abuse of power by government officials and the refusal of President Viktor Yanukovych to sign an association agreement with the European Union. The movement led to the collapse of the Yanukovych administration. Ukrainians went to the polls in May to elect a new president and voted in a new parliament last month, despite Russian occupation of Crimea and a Russian-backed separatist movement in Eastern Ukraine.[13]
Council for a Livable World
Joe Biden has a long term relationship with the Council for a Livable World.
Working with President-Elect Joe Biden
From the Council for a Livable World website, December 20, 2020:
- This time next month will be the last minutes of the Trump administration, and like all those who value diplomacy over conflict and competence over chaos, we at the Council could not be more excited. President-elect Joe Biden has been a champion for nuclear risk reduction his entire career. In fact, the Council endorsed him in his first Senate bid in 1972, becoming his first endorsement from a national organization. The Council also endorsed him for President over the summer — our first ever endorsement at the Presidential level.
- So far, we at the Council are optimistic about the selection of many of Biden’s Cabinet picks whose focuses overlap with ours, including Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken, Climate Change Envoy appointee John Kerry, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations nominee Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Director of National Intelligence nominee Avril Haines, National Security Advisor appointee Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense nominee Lloyd Austin and Secretary of Energy nominee Jennifer Granholm. We know that not everyone is thrilled about every pick, but we remain confident that the Biden administration will work to reduce nuclear threats, restore morale and purpose at the State Department after four years of damage, and try to rein in out-of-control defense spending.
- Meanwhile, while our team continues to focus primarily on Congressional work, we have met with various members of the Biden transition team to provide our expert analysis and insight on the most critical national security issues we’ll face over the next four years.[14]
CLW appointments Biden Administration
Though we are sad to see them go, the Center and Council are proud of the board members and staff that have joined the Biden administration. Most critically, Alexandra Bell has left her position as Senior Policy Director after being appointed as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Arms Control, Verfication and Compliance.
Mallory Stewart and Spencer Boyer left the Center Board of Directors to fulfill their respective roles of Senior Director for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation on the National Security Council; and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy. From the Center’s Szilard Advisory Board, Anthony Wier has left to become Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation; Colin Kahl to become Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; and Ned Price to become Department of State Spokesperson.
Bishop Garrison has left the Council Board of Directors following his appointment to Senior Adviser to the Secretary of Defense for Human Capital and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Immediate Office of the Secretary, a new position within the department.
These appointments are tremendous wins for our country and every person who believes a world free from nuclear threats is possible. We look forward to the great work they will do under the new administration and wish them all the best of luck.[15]
Endorsed Biden for President
In 2020 the Council for a Livable World endorsed Joe Biden for President.
Early support
The Council for a Livable World, founded in 1962 by long-time socialist activist and alleged Soviet agent, Leo Szilard, is a non-profit advocacy organization that seeks to "reduce the danger of nuclear weapons and increase national security", primarily through supporting progressive, congressional candidates who support their policies. The Council supported Joe Biden in his successful Senate run as candidate for Delaware.[16]
- Council for a Livable World has a history of helping to elect new candidates who can make a difference in the Senate, such as a little-known state senator from Illinois named Barack Obama and a 29-year old Joe Biden in his first statewide contest.[17]
Council for a Livable World, 50th Anniversary
On June 6, 2012, Council for a Livable World, along with its sister organizations Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and Council for a Livable World’s PeacePAC, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their founding by Leo Szilard in 1962.
An evening celebration was held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. Congressman Barney Frank acted as the Master of Ceremonies and, in the process, received a lifetime achievement award from former Rep. Tom Downey, a member of the Council’s Board of Directors. The Robert F. Drinan Peace and Human Award was presented to former Representative and PeacePAC Chairman David Bonior and the late Edith Wilkie, a longtime advocate and leader for peace and justice.
Videos were shown in which Vice President Joe Biden and Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren celebrated the organization’s 50 years although they were not able to attend in person.[18]
CLW and Joe Biden: The Early Years
According to Sonia Sloan;
I’d like to share with you the role that the Council for a Livable World played in the election of Joe Biden to the United States Senate in 1972.
- I had Co-Chaired the Eugene McCarthy campaign in Delaware in 1968. In 1970, a young man named Joe Biden decided to run for a seat on the New Castle County Council. I worked on that campaign and Joe Biden won – in a year that the Democrats did not do well at all. In fact, Joe’s Council seat was the highest office we won throughout the State that year.
- Our Democratic State Chairman appointed the Democratic Renewal Commission to try and find out what happened and why the Party had done so poorly in that election. Former Governor Elbert Carvel was the Chairman of the Commission and I was the Secretary and members of the Commission included the newly elected Council member, Joe Biden, and other prominent Democrats. We spent nine months traveling up and down the State, talking to Democrats in all the cities and little towns, finding out about their concerns and what they wanted and expected from the candidates and their leaders.
- I learned during those many months how bright, intelligent, and committed Joe Biden was – and how he cared so deeply about the people of this State.
- One evening, when the Commission’s work was done, Joe asked me to meet with him. He told me he wanted to run for the United States Senate against the incumbent Cale Boggs. Boggs had been Governor, Congressman and then Senator. I remember telling Joe “ you’re crazy – nobody wants to run against him – it is an uphill battle”. Joe’s reply was “I am going to do it- will you help me?” And of course I said yes.
- Shortly after Joe started his campaign, I got a call from a gentleman at the Council for a Livable World. I assumed that he called me because of the McCarthy campaign and my involvement as a Vice President of the National New Democratic Coalition. He told me this young candidate for the U.S. Senate had come to the Council for a contribution for his campaign . I was asked if I knew Joe Biden and what I thought of him. I was, of course, delighted to be able to say that I knew him well and to give Joe a ringing endorsement. As a result, the Council gave Joe Biden his first major endorsement and campaign contribution.
- Joe and I have talked about this over the years and I thought the Council for a Livable World might like to know that an important role it played in helping to start Joe on his political career – culminating today in his nomination for Vice President on the Democratic ticket.[19]
Albert Gore, Sr. connection
When Joe Biden started running for a Senate seat in 1972, few people thought the young man from Delaware had a chance.
But a well-placed Tennessee couple tagged him early as an up-and-comer.
“I was 29 years old, running for the United States Senate against a guy with an 81 percent favorable rating, a year where Richard Nixon won my state by over 65 percent of the vote, and I was an Irish Catholic in a state that (had) never elected one,” Biden told Tennessee Democrats in a speech 2010, recounting a story that got scant media attention at the time.
Biden pulled off a stunning, 3,162-vote upset with a mix of youthful vigor, skillful campaigning, energized volunteers and smart advertising — fueled by tens of thousands of dollars that a prominent Tennessee couple raised for his campaign.
His candidacy caught the eye of former Tennessee Sen. Albert Gore, Sr., who was working with a Washington, D.C.-based arms control group called the Council for a Livable World, and his wife, Pauline.
Though the numbers look quaint by today’s seven- and eight-figure standards for Senate campaigns, the Gores raised a substantial $89,000, Biden said at the Tennessee Democratic Party’s Jackson Day dinner in 2010. That was nearly one-third of the $287,000 he brought in overall.
Ted Kaufman, who volunteered for Biden’s campaign, said the Gores’ support was critical. Kaufman later served as Biden’s chief of staff for 19 years and briefly succeeded him in the Senate in 2009 and 2010, after President Barack Obama took office with Biden as his deputy.
Boggs, the incumbent senator 40 years ago, was “one of the most popular and beloved figures in Delaware history,” Kaufman said in a phone interview. No one on the national political scene thought Biden, who “was 29 years old and looked 29 years old,” had a chance until Albert Gore, Sr., who had lost a re-election bid in 1970, sent out a letter to the Council for a Livable World’s supporters, urging them to “take a hard look at the Delaware race,” Kaufman recalled.
“It gave (Biden) credibility in Washington,” he said. “It also attracted people to come and help on the race.”
Gore “thought he could win. Clearly he endorsed Biden’s views, but the key thing that came out of it was telling people he had a chance to win. That was what made it so special.”
On June 21, 1971, The Nashville Banner reported that Gore, six months removed from the Senate, would become the Washington chairman of the Council for a Livable World, which advocates for decreasing the threat of nuclear weapons. Founded in 1962, the council also works to help like-minded candidates win Senate and House seats.
Gore “expects to spend much time in the next 18 months traveling across the country in behalf of 1972 Senate candidates for which the council is raising campaign money,” the Banner reported in a short story.
Nashville civil rights attorney George Barrett, who practiced law with both Albert and Pauline Gore in the early 1970s, said the couple saw in Biden “a progressive, bright, hard-working young man.”
“Albert was very perceptive politically, and Pauline even more so,” Barrett said.
Former U.S. Sen. Jim Sasser, a Tennessee Democrat who joined Biden in the Senate in 1976, said Albert Gore saw a familiar spark in the Delaware candidate.
“Sen. Gore developed a real attachment to Biden, because he said Biden reminded him very much of himself when he was a young man trying to get started in electoral politics and coming up through the ranks,” Sasser said from Washington. “He said Biden was very self-assured, a little brash.”
The Obama campaign said Biden was unavailable for an interview. But he spent almost three minutes talking about the impact of the Gores, who are both deceased, during his 2010 speech in Nashville. He called himself “a product of Al Gore Sr.”
“Here’s the deal: I was desperately trying to raise money,” the vice president said. “I got a call from a woman named Pauline Gore. Would I come down to Washington and meet with (her) and Senator Gore and some … concerned scientists who wanted to talk about the spread of nuclear weapons? It was an outfit called the Council for a Livable World.
“So I showed up in Sen. Gore’s apartment in the Methodist House, which was catercorner from the Supreme Court. That’s when I first met young Al Gore. I sat there, and it basically was an interview. I didn’t realize it. Sen. Gore, who had left the Senate two years earlier, said, ‘I’m going to help you.’ ”
Sasser said the money the Gores raised for Biden typically came through “small contributions, $100, $200, just from people concerned about the nuclear arms race back in those days and trying to do something about it.”
In the Banner story that announced his plans to work with the Council for a Livable World, Gore was quoted as saying: “Senators ought not to be elected with the support of a few large contributors and special interest groups but with the help of a broadly based citizenry of moderate means.”
When Labor Day 1972 arrived, Biden looked like as much of a long shot as ever. Polls showed his support flagging at about 19 percent, Kaufman said.
But Biden was already “a world-class retail candidate,” Kaufman recalled, and he ran on “a new Democratic platform — environment, tough on crime, balanced budgets, tax reform.”
A Washington Post story in 2007 about Biden’s long-serving inner circle, including Kaufman, said the candidate “spent all day meeting voters” in 1972 and left “virtually everything else” to his sister, Valerie, who ran his campaign.
When the votes were counted that November, Biden had sent Boggs home from Washington, just as Republican Bill Brock had done to Gore two years earlier. In the coming weeks, Biden would turn 30, making him old enough to serve in the Senate; lose his wife and 1-year-old daughter in a car crash, a tragedy that almost caused him to give up the seat he had just won; and be sworn in at the hospital bedside of his two young sons, who were critically injured in the accident.
John Isaacs, executive director of the Council for a Livable World, was not yet with the organization 40 years ago. But he said finding and getting behind Biden “was one of our great coups.” Biden has always remembered the group’s support, Isaacs said, and its website includes a video of the vice president talking about the council’s help.
“When you support a politician in his first race, especially an unknown local candidate like Joe Biden, they remember it forever,” Isaacs said.
At the Jackson Day dinner in 2010, Biden made it clear that his fond memories of his first Senate campaign don’t stop with the council.
“So if you want to blame anybody for my being a United States senator elected seven times and a vice president,” he said, “it’s all the fault of former Sen. Gore.”[20][21]
Grossman influence
The Council for a Livable World's John Isaacs wrote in Jerome Grossman's eulogy;
- ” Now, as an aside, we have a dictum at Council for a Livable World. If we support a candidate in his or her first major political contest, he or
