Joe Biden Biography American politician Joe Biden is a long-standing member of the Senate noted for his experience in foreign policy. After two unsuccessful runs for president, Biden was selected as the democratic running mate of presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Joseph Robinette Biden Jr was born November 20, 1942 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His parents were Joseph R Biden Sr, a car salesman, and Catherine Eugenia Finnegan. He was raised in a Catholic household in Claymont, Delaware until he was ten years old. He was subsequently raised in New Castle County, Delaware. On the education front, Biden attended Archmere Academy followed by the University of Delaware. He graduated with a double major in political science and history. Obtaining his JD as well, he attended Syracuse University College of Law. By 1969, he was officially admitted to the Bar.
After practicing in Delaware, Biden found a spot on the New Castle County, County Council. Shortly after, he took a seat in the Senate. In the 1972 election, he beat out incumbent J Caleb Boggs. Defending his seat, Biden subsequently beat out James H Baxter Jr, John M Burris, M Jane Brady, and Raymond J Clatworthy. These numerous wins have officially made him the longest-serving senator from Delaware. His time in the Senate has been marked by an emphasis on foreign relations. To that end, he is chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations. He is also co-chairman of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control. From 1987 to 1995, he chaired the Committee of the Judiciary. His major rulings include the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act as well as the Violence Against Women Act. Additionally, found himself in the headlines by labeling Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic a war criminal. An influential figure, Biden is credited with helping persuade then-President Bill Clinton to employ military force against human rights violations. In the wake of September 11, 2001, Biden openly supported President George W Bush in his efforts regarding Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein. He also voted to enter Iraq. Aspiring to a higher seat, Biden made his first presidential run in 1988. He once again threw his hat into the ring in 2008. Although both campaigns were unsuccessful, he did become known for his eloquent (if not longwinded) speeches. The appeal to idealism has drawn parallels to the late Robert Kennedy.
His first campaign broke down amid accusations of speech plagiarizing, and the ticket went to Michael Dukakis. His 2008 bid failed to generate votes as well, significantly trailing Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Bill Richardson. His dreams of the White House received new life, however, when Obama officially named him as his vice-presidential running mate on August 22, 2008. In his personal life, Biden and Neilia Hunter married on August 27, 1966. They had three children together before her untimely death on December 18, 1972. Killed in a car accident, the crash also claimed the life of Biden’s infant daughter. His sons, Beau Biden and Hunter Biden, were also injured but made full recoveries. (Beau will be deployed to Iraq in late 2008.) After the tragedy, Biden remarried in mid-1977. He wed Jill Tracy Jacobs. They have one child, Ashley Biden, and the couple is currently still together. On the health front, Biden had a scare in 1988 when he suffered two brain aneurysms. By late August 2008 the Obama campaign was well under way in a bid to win the presidential election with the help of Biden, who although on occasions caused eye brows to raise with his comments, eventually managed to win through with Barack, when on November 4th 2008 Obama was declared the president elect with Biden as his vice president. YUDDY | 
