A little over half the country is presumably mourning the upcoming loss of Barack Obama as our president, but fewer realize that, while President Obama is by far the coolest president in history, Vice President Joe Biden is the true national treasure. Here are just a few things we'll all miss about having VP Biden around.
1. His bromance with President Obama
What other president/VP duo can say that they served two terms together and came out the other side still BFF's? Plus, they made this wonderful video together.
2. His love of ice cream
“My name is Joe Biden and I love ice cream. You all think I’m kidding, I’m not. I eat more ice cream than the three other people you’d like to be with, all at once.” -Joe Biden, in a speech in May 2016 that had absolutely nothing to do with ice cream.
This set of photos alone dispels any doubt that Joe Biden is my spirit animal.
3. He has made it his mission to put a stop to campus sexual assault.
"Those of us who find this action reprehensible, you have to be heard. This isn't just about freeing women. If we free women ... we free men, we make it all better. That is not hyperbole. That is a fact." -VP Biden
Vice President has taken a special interest in sexual assault and dating violence over the course of his career as a politician, increasing these efforts in more recent years. Both he and President Obama have been unapologetically outspoken on the subject, refusing to visit or promote colleges and universities that are currently under investigation for mishandling campus sexual assault cases. From taking part in various task forces and bills working to prevent assault and violence against women to taking a very public stance alongside Lady Gaga and other celebrities, Vice President Biden is a hero to victims and role model for men who know that they could be doing more to end this epidemic in our nation.
4. He is the subject of the most glorious memes.
5. He has overcome a great deal of hardship and loss.
First, in law school, Biden overcame a stutter that had plagued him his entire life.
Alcoholism is rampant in his family, so he has never had a single drop.
Biden lost his wife Neilia and infant daughter Naomi in a car accident in 1972. Both of his sons were badly injured as well, so he was sworn in as Senator at their hospital bedsides.
He has had surgery for not one but two deadly aneurysms and beat the odds of a less than fifty percent chance of full recovery.
Biden lost his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015.
Despite a life plagued by hardship, Vice President Biden's humor and joy have been unrelenting, inspiring Americans for decades.
6. He loves babies.
Stay silly, Joe. You will be missed.
