Vice President Joe Biden surprised hundreds of Democratic Party supporters by showing up for about an hour at an annual late-summer celebration at Cape Henlopen State Park.
“I came because Beau would want me to come and the reason is to say thank you," said Biden, noting the death of his son, former Attorney General Beau Biden in May from brain cancer.
“Beau would be here and Beau would be here to say thank you and he is here.”
The vice president and his family stood for hours at Legislative Hall in Dover and at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington on three separate days while his son lay in repose to greet thousands of well-wishers, receiving hugs, kisses, handshakes and words of encouragement.
“When [Beau] was lying in honor at the capitol was maybe the greatest honor the Biden family has ever been accorded.”
“I could not believe, it just meant so much. Many of you have suffered losses like I have and you know, you know how much it means. You know how much it means and how it lifted the family up,” Biden said.
Delaware’s elder statesman was greeted to the chants of, “Joe, Joe Joe,” casually asking the crowd how they were doing.
He thanked longtime friends, politicians and citizens at the Sussex County Democratic Jamboree – traditionally a breeding ground for those announcing bids for public office and an event the elder Biden helped start.
“The first time I had him here, he was in a body cast from his legs, arms after the accident and you all just took care of he and [Hunter] like they were your own children.”
Biden spoke for about 15 minutes, emotional at times, though he stayed for nearly an hour to greet those underneath the ocean-side pavilion.
He took dozens of photos while wearing a decorative pin given to him by a young girl and even spoke briefly with a man’s mother over the phone, calling himself “Joe Biden from Scranton” and telling her that he loved her.
The vice president and longtime U.S. senator has been mulling a third run for president in 2016 in recent weeks, but wouldn’t comment on where he stands at this time.
Earlier this week, CNN obtained access to a call from Biden to members of the Democratic National Committee, noting, “We’re dealing at home with … whether or not there is the emotional fuel at this time to run.”
The vice president’s office tampered down rumors this week that he would attend the event, with even Gov. Jack Markell (D) saying he wasn’t aware Biden was en route until five minutes before he arrived.
“That was not at all a political speech. That was a very personal, emotional speech about the connection that the vice president and his family have had with the Sussex Democrats for a very long time,” Markell said.
