Why I Admire Vice President Biden

When people hear the name Joe Biden, many of them immediately think of a man who says stupid things and isn't worthy of praise or respect. I'm here to tell those people they should reconsider those notions.

It's true Biden has made some not-so-wise statements throughout his career, but he's much more than a person who sometimes doesn't think before he speaks. In fact, he is a man of great character and moral values, and he's someone people can look up to, regardless of their political affiliations.

I've watched many videos with or about the vice president, and it's quite obvious that he's deeply in love with his wife Jill. The two are clearly best friends, and they don't fit the stereotypical mold of a political marriage.

They are completely devoted to one another and put their marriage before their careers. "Washington is too tough an atmosphere to not stick together," said Jill Biden in an interview on Good Morning America in 2010.

What many people forget about Biden is that he's overcome great tragedy in his life. In 1972, shortly after his improbable victory to the United States Senate at the age of 29, his wife and infant daughter were killed in a car accident, and his sons were seriously injured.

Immediately after the crash, he decided not to take the oath. "Delaware can get another senator, but my boys can't get another father," he said.

Eventually, he was convinced by people like Ted Kennedy to take the oath. He was able to do this because he firmly believes in the quote he says so often: "Failure is inevitable, but giving up is unforgiveable. People are not defined by how many times they fall down, but how quickly they get back up."

During his first few years in office, Biden was constantly on the phone with his young sons, who fully recovered from their injuries. He left standing orders that he be stopped anytime while working if either of his sons called, and in order to spend more time with them, he commuted to Washington every day from Delaware.

This required a 1 1/2-hour train ride each way. Right up until his last days in the Senate, he continued the 1 1/2-half journey every time he went to work because his family was and always will be the most important part of his life. 

As a child, Biden struggled with a severe stutter, which literally made it impossible for him to carry on a normal conversation with people. Obviously it wasn't fun to go through, but Biden has said it was the best thing that ever happened to him because it made him stronger and allowed him to feel empathy for others who are struggling.

He understands that with every struggle and challenge there is a positive aspect, and that's someone anyone can respect.

People are certainly allowed to disagree with Biden's politics, but I think there's few who don't recognize his commitment to social justice. In the early 1990s, Biden led the creation of the Violence Against Women Act, which funds services to protect adult, teen and child victims of domestic violence. He has also worked to stop the spread of date-rape drugs, and has said he considers the passage of the Violence Against Women Act his proudest moment as a senator. 

In addition, Biden led creation of The Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which put an additional 100,000 police officers on the streets of the United States and is the largest crime bill in U.S. History. He's also a huge supporter of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability. 

People have to realize that politicians are human beings like the rest of us. They have flaws that can sometimes get them in trouble, but they also have incredible talents.

Biden has the ability to make people believe in themselves even when the world seems to crash down upon them. He assured gay and questioning youths in his "It Gets Better" video that life really does get better after tragedy, and that it's the bullies who are the real losers, not the people being picked on.

His overall message is that everyone has the ability to make positive changes for our country, no matter what challenges they've had to overcome in their own lives. This is a message anyone can admire and appreciate, whether they are a Democrat, Republican or Independent.