Promise Me, Dad

1. Biden's commitment to family and public service shapes his career

Family had been an essential escape in the five-and-a-half years I had been vice president; being with them was like flying in the eye of a storm—a reminder of the natural ease and rhythms of our previous life, and of the calm to come when my time in office was done.

Family as anchor: Throughout his political career, Biden prioritized his family, using their support as a source of strength and balance. This commitment influenced his decision-making, from commuting daily as a senator to considering a presidential run.

Public service ethos: Biden's dedication to public service stemmed from his upbringing and personal values. He viewed politics as a means to improve people's lives, focusing on issues like middle-class struggles, foreign policy, and social justice.

• Key family moments: Daily train commutes, family vacations, holiday traditions
• Public service milestones: 36 years as senator, two terms as vice president
• Policy priorities: Economic recovery, healthcare reform, foreign relations

2. Tragedy and loss test Biden's resilience and faith

I pulled out my diary and started to write: March 29—Leaving MD Anderson with hope. Beau is an amazing man. As is Hunter. He is staying with [Beau] until the next procedure. I'll be coming back. I paused. What else was there to say? I was afraid if I really opened up, I would give into a lurking despair, and I could not allow that to happen.

Facing personal tragedies: Biden endured multiple devastating losses, including the death of his first wife and daughter in 1972 and his son Beau in 2015. These experiences deeply affected him but also strengthened his resolve and empathy.

Faith as a source of comfort: Biden's Catholic faith provided solace during difficult times. He found comfort in rituals, prayer, and the belief that his loved ones remained a part of him.

• Major losses: First wife and daughter (1972), son Beau (2015)
• Coping mechanisms: Prayer, family support, commitment to work
• Impact on leadership: Increased empathy and understanding of others' pain

3. Biden's role as VP strengthens his leadership and policy expertise

Barack Obama had handed me big things to run from the beginning of our first term, and once he assigned me to oversee the Recovery Act of 2009, or budget negotiations with Senator Mitch McConnell, or diplomatic relations with Iraq, he did not look over my shoulder.

Expanded responsibilities: As Vice President, Biden took on significant roles in domestic and foreign policy, including overseeing the economic recovery, managing relations with Iraq, and addressing issues in Ukraine and Central America.

Partnership with Obama: Biden developed a close working relationship with President Obama, characterized by mutual trust and respect. This partnership allowed Biden to grow as a leader and expand his policy expertise.

• Key assignments: Economic Recovery Act, Iraq policy, Ukraine crisis
• Skills developed: Diplomacy, crisis management, legislative negotiation
• Preparation for potential presidency: Foreign policy experience, executive leadership

4. Beau Biden's illness and death profoundly impact the family

May 30. 7:51 p.m. It happened, I recorded in my diary. My God, my boy. My beautiful boy.

Beau's battle with cancer: The Biden family faced a devastating challenge when Beau was diagnosed with brain cancer. His courage and determination during treatment inspired the family and shaped their perspectives on life and politics.

Family unity in crisis: The Bidens came together to support Beau, with each member playing a crucial role. This experience reinforced their bonds and influenced their approach to both personal and public life.

• Beau's impact: Inspiration for potential presidential run, legacy of public service
• Family roles: Hunter as primary support, Jill as caregiver, Joe balancing work and family
• Lasting effects: Renewed focus on cancer research, changed political calculus

5. Biden wrestles with running for president while grieving

I knew from previous experience that grief is a process that respects no schedule and no timetable. I would be ready when I was ready, if I was ready, and not before. I had no idea when that would be.

Emotional struggle: Biden grappled with the decision to run for president while mourning Beau's death. He faced internal conflicts between fulfilling Beau's wishes and managing his own grief.

Political considerations: Despite personal challenges, Biden and his team assessed the viability of a presidential campaign. They weighed factors such as timing, funding, and public perception.

Key factors in decision-making:

• Emotional readiness
• Family support
• Political landscape
• Campaign feasibility
• Influence of Beau's wishes on Biden's deliberations

6. Biden's political strategy focuses on middle-class revival

We had to remind corporate America and Wall Street that just taking care of themselves and their shareholders wasn't good enough. They had a responsibility to their workers, their communities, and their country, too.

Economic vision: Biden's potential campaign strategy centered on revitalizing the middle class and addressing economic inequality. He advocated for policies that would benefit working families and promote shared prosperity.

Bold policy proposals: Biden envisioned a campaign platform that included ambitious goals such as free community college, infrastructure investment, and tax reform to address wealth disparities.

Key policy proposals:

• $15 minimum wage
• Free public college tuition
• Infrastructure modernization
• Middle-class tax cuts
• Emphasis on fairness and opportunity in economic policy

7. Personal connections and empathy define Biden's approach to politics

I have come to believe that the first duty of a public servant is to help bring people together, especially in crisis, especially across difficult divides, to show respect for everybody at the table, and to help find a safe way forward.

Empathetic leadership: Biden's political style is characterized by his ability to connect with people on a personal level. He draws on his own experiences of loss and struggle to relate to voters and colleagues.

Bridge-building approach: Throughout his career, Biden sought to find common ground and build relationships across party lines. This approach influenced his legislative work and diplomatic efforts.

Examples of personal connections:

• Comforting families of fallen soldiers
• Relating to middle-class struggles
• Building rapport with foreign leaders
• Impact on policy-making: Emphasis on bipartisanship and compromise

8. Biden navigates complex foreign policy challenges as VP

I had been threading the very narrow eye of a needle for the past year in the Ukraine crisis. President Obama's sympathies were all with Ukraine, but he was not going to allow this regional conflict to escalate into a hot war with Russia.

Diplomatic balancing act: As Vice President, Biden played a crucial role in managing international crises, particularly in Ukraine, Iraq, and Central America. He balanced U.S. interests with the need for diplomatic solutions.

Strategic decision-making: Biden's approach to foreign policy involved careful consideration of long-term consequences and the use of economic and diplomatic tools to achieve U.S. objectives.

Key foreign policy challenges:

• Russian aggression in Ukraine
• ISIL threat in Iraq
• Instability in Central America
• Strategies employed: Economic sanctions, military aid, diplomatic negotiations

9. Family traditions and rituals provide stability amid political pressures

The Biden tradition of Thanksgiving on Nantucket started as an act of diplomacy, back in 1975. I was a first-term senator and a single father of two boys—Beau was six years old and Hunter just five—and Jill Jacobs and I had started to talk seriously about a future together.

Maintaining normalcy: The Biden family established and maintained traditions, such as their annual Thanksgiving trip to Nantucket, to create stability and togetherness despite the demands of political life.

Balancing public and private lives: These rituals helped the family stay connected and grounded, providing a respite from the pressures of public office and a sense of continuity across generations.

Key family traditions:

• Nantucket Thanksgiving
• Christmas list-making
• Family vacations to national parks
• Benefits: Strengthened family bonds, created lasting memories, maintained perspective

10. Biden's Catholic faith offers solace and guidance through hardship

I've always found comfort in the ritual associated with my Catholicism. I find the rosary soothing. It's almost like my meditation. And mass is a place I go to be by myself, even in the middle of the crowd. I always feel alone, just me and God.

Faith as a foundation: Biden's Catholic upbringing and continued practice provide a moral framework and source of comfort throughout his life and career.

Navigating personal and public roles: His faith influences his approach to both personal challenges and public policy, informing his views on social justice and ethical leadership.

Expressions of faith:

• Regular mass attendance
• Praying the rosary
• Invoking religious teachings in speeches
• Impact on leadership: Emphasis on compassion, forgiveness, and serving others

Last updated: January 22, 2025