From the October issue of the Atlantic, an exhaustive profile of America’s most powerful Catholic politico, Vice President Joe Biden. Writer
Mark Bowden chronicles Biden’s ascendency to President Obama’s inner circle, highlighting his transformation over the last two years from gaffe prone wanna-be to trusted advisor and confidante.
The article doesn’t delve too deeply into Biden’s faith (there is but a brief reference to his questioning of it following the accident that killed his first wife and their daughter), but does offer some insight into what makes Biden tick, his reluctance to accept Obama’s offer, and his desire to remain “Joe” when home in Delaware. Well worth a read for a better understanding of this Catholic public servant.
A story from a friend whose father was in the hospital in Delaware several years ago (the father was a Republican): he shared a room, and late in the evening a visitor dropped by-alone-to see the roommate. It was Joe Biden, fresh off the train from Wash., D.C. Biden spent a some time with him-overhearing the conversation, my friend's father was impressed by his compassion for someone who he did not know. Of course, Biden's a politician but this was no "photo op."
A corporal work of mercy? This act seems much better than all the Sabbath Windbags at "Prayer Breakfasts" parading their faith around for political gain.
Joe Biden and his wife gave on average $370 a year to charity on an income of $180,000 a year. Now I have a hard time reconciling that fact with any interest in supporting anything that is important to him.