When Obama is Away ....

With President Obama off in Europe mending fences and making his first appearance on the world stage as the leader of the free world, it is up to Joe Biden to hold down the fort.

At a recent dinner at the 21st annual National Fire and Emergency Services dinner in Washington, the vice president, who has been known for a bit of hoof-in-mouth disease, was greeted by cheers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please -- please sit down," he said. "I'm not used to these standing ovations, I'm a vice president."

-- Michael Muskal 

Vice President Joe Biden holds a firefighters helmet that he was presented with after his remarks at the International Association of Fire Fighters 2009 Legislative Conference in Washington, Monday, March 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)