Joe Biden's remembrance of single fatherhood forges a listener bond

Sarah Palin wasted precious little time trying to establish a personal connection with the huge audience that tuned in for her Thursday night debate with Joe Biden.

In her very first answer, she evoked the image of Saturday soccer games where parents, while watching their children dash about from the sidelines, candidly discuss their concerns about the economy. Just a few minutes later, she dropped the phrases "Joe Six-Pack" and "hockey mom" into one of her responses.

Biden -- as much a creature of Washington as Palin is not -- waited much longer to seek to establish a visceral bond with his listeners. Indeed, the 90-minute verbal joust was nearing its end when he did so.

But the story he movingly related -- of his experience as a single dad to two young sons seriously hurt in a car accident that killed his wife and daughter -- widely was viewed as his standout moment in the debate.

It certainly moved sportscaster and actress Lisa Guerrero, who lost her mother at a young age. And it spurred her to offer reflections on men, emotions and our culture for The Times' new blog, The Fabulous Forum. We commend the posting to your attention.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[Moral Kharma]

The conservative right must be beaming with pride at the thought of Bristol Palin choosing to become a single parent at such a young age.

[adrians]

I loved it when Sen. Biden got personal. At the same time, he was able to endear himself with us (at least my friends and I) and challenge common conceptions that only mothers have a concept of what parenthood is like. I think he did a lot for himself in the debate, but also for men who are struggling to rid themselves of the caveman image and expections.

[independent thinker]

Joe Biden's spontaneous personal remembrance not only highlights a seasoned, knowledeagle politician, but also an honet, feeling and caring human being, unlike the fakey, overly-rehearsed, inexperienced and uninformed Sarah Palin.

[Donna Hughes]

And when Joe choked up, remembering that time of despair in his life, did Sarah Palin so much as acknowledge his pain? No. She apparently has no empathy for the pain of others.

Had the shoe been on the other foot you can bet that Joe would have said something to her in acknowledgment of her painful experience.

But then I suppose she might be an android, and thus incapable of emotions. That would explain a lot.

[Gaias Child]

One tenet of wholistic feminism is that it also liberates men from certain unnatural role playing. I loved it that single fatherhood arose as an experience with Biden. His reluctance to accept his senate seat after the accident and the encouragement he received and his now famous daily train rides to and from work ... and the close family ties and loyalty that shine through public glimpses of the family. The boys told him it was time for them all to marry. As single parenting goes, when one has to be mother and father, which isn't possible but does happen, it doesn't get much better than how Biden did it. With his sister's help.

[edwards]

You can actually buy JaneSixPack.com or SarahSixPack.com and turn them into political, humor or whatever info sites. Ain't the Internet grand?!

[PulSamsara]

Why would America REWARD complete Republican failure ?

We wont.

[Jamie]

At a time in which cynicism and mean-spiritedness is worn by many as a badge of honor, it's hard to find a truly caring, genuine person—especially in politics. Joe Biden is one of those rare individuals. As an independent voter who happens to be a man, I thoroughly enjoyed—and was moved—by Biden's performance in the debate. He was superb, in my opinion. In addition to his impressive knowledge and experience, I appreciated what he said about the role of the vice president as well as his description of how Obama and he would work together to lead our country at this time. They are exactly the team we need in the White House at this calamitous time in our nation's history.

[Valdar]

I felt that Senator Joe Biden was excellent in this debate, he attempted to answer the questions and, to me, came across as honest and sincere, much different than Ms. Palin, who appeared to be coached beyond what was acceptable. Ms. Palin did not answer many of her questions. and her 'I am just like you' role I found insulting to women and men everywhere in the mid-west. And I am so damn tired of that word Maverick from her....it has been used too much, but at least I did not hear her use the Bridge to Nowhere line or the ebay lie. I kept waiting for her to threaten to throw Senator Biden in the water to see if he floated or sank.

[grandmamontana]

This was not a deciding moment for me as I was already leaning towards Senator Bidens experience. I also heard him mention talking to neighbors while putting gas in his car.
What I saw in this moment was a man reach to the center of his soul and this is an important part of his overall experience, Obama chose wisely.

Biden is not just like me he is however an example of how I would like to be.

[NinaK]

McCain and Palin are the most unqualified people to lead our country. They have NOTHING to offer so they resort to dirty politicking and trash-and-burn tactics to slander and besmirch a man whose intelligence, leadership skills, vision,good character, and who is in touch with ALL Americans; a man who is head and shoulders above these two systers and liars. I do hope we, the people, can recognize the desperation of John McCain and Palin to get into the Oval Office at ANY COST, AT ANY COST TO US AND TO OUR COUNTRY. McCain is NOT country first and he couldn't care less about our disastrous economy and its effect on the none-rich. Remembe, just recently he told us our fundamental economy was STRONG when in fact everyone else KNEW we are fast approaching a recession. McCain and his boondocks running mate are NOT qualified to lead this country, period. John McCain has shown us he is way off in left field time, and time again. NO McCain, NO McPalin!!

[rick huffman]

Joe Biden's performance made feel proud to be an American again. The bar was set so low for Palin to clam success and the media bought into it. Palim,was a cold heartless robot repeating tired worn out Republican ideology, no facts, just repeated themes. The winks an folksy jesters cheapened women and was directly aimed at men whose brains are wired..sex,sex, vote,sex/Plain. It worked for a few.Reality is the issues facing our nation are dire, we need a new direction, McCain-Palin is four more years of not only the same but worse. If you can imagine it worse, it can be worse with those two. Barrack Obama and Joe are good men dedicated to only one thing reviving this country.

[JANE SCHNEEMAN]

First let me apologize for any grammatical errors.
I am recently became an American Citizen and I am still learning the English language.
My mother use to say:
"The worse blind is the one which does not want to see".
The sad thing about all this situation (Presidential Elections 2008) is that…after all is done… (Obama wins)…people are gone say: What happened? I was so sure!
He sounded so good!
To good to be true!
This is what I have to say...To much talk...Who is him? Do you really know Obama? Two years in the Senate…campaigning…that’s all!
Promises…He says what people want to hear!
We all gone pay a very high price for this big mistake we (you) are getting yourselves in…
Open your eyes people!
Study the situations…get informed…Don’t believe in promises!
Look at the person! Their precedent…
Don’t you know that “were there’s smoke there’s fire?”
We should be more prudent with our choices…
We leave in a very dangerous world…very dangerous…
Look at the history of this world!
We are all living in a “lalala” world, not taking in consideration that bad people are out there, and they are planning right now, as we speak, to kill us!
Even if it takes 100 years…They will succeed!
And do you want to know why!
JUST BECAUSE WE CHOOSE TO BE BLIND…AND DEAF!
BE CAREFUL…AND… GOOD LUCK!
God bless you all!

[WC]

As a single dad (widowed) I was deeply moved when Biden struggled to put into words his feelings for his family. I, too, regularly rushed back home from out-of-town meetings to be there for my children. Thanks, Lisa, for reminding us all that Dads can, and often do, make great sacrifices while having to keep a "stiff upper lip".