A photo that tells the story of the relationship between Joe Biden and Barack Obama. https://t.co/sxHmYsO3Ek pic.twitter.com/YsbVtGaStw
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) October 21, 2015
Courtesy of the Washington Post: Obama has repeatedly said that choosing Biden was the smartest decision he has made in politics. And, at the funeral for Beau Biden, the vice president's oldest son, the president said of his running mate: "Joe, you are my brother. And I’m grateful every day that you’ve got such a big heart, and a big soul, and those broad shoulders. I couldn’t admire you more."
Given that relationship, it was compelling to watch Biden, age 72, end a lifelong dream with Obama, a man 18 years his junior and one who had achieved that dream, standing by his side. "I believe we're out of time, the time necessary to mount a winning campaign for the nomination," Biden said as Obama stood silent a few feet away. "But while I will not be a candidate, I will not be silent."
How do you comfort an old friend who has to let a dream drift away? You put a hand on his shoulder.
I like that last line a lot.
You know I have to admit that I was kind of puzzled by the fact that President Obama was standing next to Biden while he told the media that he would NOT be running for the presidency in 2016.
But after I thought about it for a minute or two I figured out exactly why President Obama was there.
Because his friend Joe Biden asked him to be there.