| Line 2: |
Line 2: |
| | '''Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.''' (born 20 November 1942) is the senior U.S. Senator from [[Delaware]] (representing the state in the [[United States Senate]] since 1972), and a member of the [[Democratic]] Party. He currently serves as the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the 110th Congress. | | '''Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.''' (born 20 November 1942) is the senior U.S. Senator from [[Delaware]] (representing the state in the [[United States Senate]] since 1972), and a member of the [[Democratic]] Party. He currently serves as the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the 110th Congress. |
| | | | |
| − | Biden declared his candidacy for [[President]] on January 31, 2007 after months of prior discussions, but later withdrew after the [[Iowa Caucus]] <ref> http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/04/chris-dodd-abandons-presidential-campaign-after-poor-showing-in-iowa/ </ref>. He is a self-described northeast [[liberal]]. | + | Biden declared his candidacy for [[President]] on January 31, 2007 after months of prior discussions, but later withdrew after the [[Iowa Caucus]].<ref> http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/04/chris-dodd-abandons-presidential-campaign-after-poor-showing-in-iowa/</ref> He is a self-described northeast [[liberal]]. |
| | | | |
| − | On August 23, 2008, presidential candidate [[Barack Obama]] named Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his vice presidential running mate. | + | On August 23, 2008, presidential candidate [[Barack Obama]] named Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his vice presidential running mate. Biden may help the ticket in three ways: |
| | + | |
| | + | * Biden is [[Catholic]], and Obama is weak with that key voting bloc; however, the [[Catholic Church]] may take offense at Biden's pro-[[abortion]] positions. |
| | + | * Biden was born in [[Pennsylvania]], a must-win state for Obama where he is weak; however, Biden's roots are in the rural northeastern part of the state. |
| | + | * Biden's son is going to [[Iraq]], which helps rehabilitate Obama's image as anti-military; however, Biden himself never served. |
| | | | |
| | ==Early Life and Education== | | ==Early Life and Education== |