December 21, 2007
Posted: 11:30 AM ET

Watch Sen. Biden's entire Situation Room interview.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sen. Joseph Biden’s appearance on CNN’s The Situation Room took a personal turn when Suzanne Malveaux asked the Democratic presidential candidate how he weathered the loss of his wife and young daughter in a 1972 car accident.

“The way I got through it – I have an incredible family,” Biden told Malveaux. “Everyone was there to help me. They were there constantly,” added Biden explaining how his sister, brother, mother and other relatives rallied around him to help him raise his two young sons who survived the car accident, but were badly injured.

“Tragedies like that either make you stronger or make you weaker,” said Biden. “And what it’s taught me is, I can handle anything.”

In his autobiography “Promises to Keep,” released earlier this year, Biden reflected on the tragedy. “I began to understand how despair led people to just cash it in; how suicide wasn’t just an option but a rational option,” wrote Biden.

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Filed under: Iraq • Joe Biden • The Situation Room


Dokbianknib   January 2nd, 2008 3:17 am ET

Hi there,
Is everything fine? What's going on?

Marie in LA   January 2nd, 2008 12:26 am ET

GRACE SUN CITY…do you know that the 'countries' in the middle east are in many cases a result of arbitrary 'drawing' of borders by other countries with interests in the region? Shi'as and Sunnis are not trying to live together peacefully…so making the analogy about conservatives and liberals is just not correct. Dividing Iraq actually reflects the desire of its people more so than an enforced, US-brand democracy that unites this 'country' of warring factions.

Jerry in Phoenix   January 1st, 2008 6:54 pm ET

Joe Biden is by far the most experienced, truthful, and level headed candidate on either side of the spectrum. Joe can provide this country with competent and thoughtful leadership.

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 24th, 2007 1:42 pm ET

GRACE, SUN CITY CENTER, FL

what your saying is apples and oranges i dont think youve researched anything that is going on in these countries its not like our little aruments over blogs between liberals and conservatives. these people cant co-exist they kill eachother. its not just some people that have different opinions. these people are brainwashed beyond belief. no pun intended

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 24th, 2007 12:01 pm ET

Ms JOhnson & Grace

i will pretend like you are 2 different people and say cutting iraq 3 ways would make a lot of sense if you RESEARCH it instead of just thinking hes talking about imperialism. the country was created like 50 years ago and the iraqi people could care less about it!!! there is shiite, sunni and kurds that would love to have there OWN countries. they will not co-exist. tell me who you would vote for that has a better plan then this?

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 24th, 2007 11:52 am ET

i wish the american public were mature enough to vote for a man like this. but instead they will vote for whoever they hear about the most while surfing the channels. because god forbid they would research the candidates….i would vote for biden more then any other candidate

Sam IA   December 23rd, 2007 5:33 am ET

Dan, Birmingham. Apparently whoever is doing the vetting on these comments has an agenda of thier own. For the past week perhaps one of six of my comments has been posted. Hopefully this individual has a few weeks off for the holidays. GO JOE!!!!!

GRACE, SUN CITY CENTER, FL   December 22nd, 2007 9:19 pm ET

I'M GLAD SENATOR BIDEN CAN HANDLE
PERSONAL TRAGEDY….
I ONLY WISH HE HAD MORE RESPECT FOR
THE SOVEREGNTY OF OTHER COUNTRIES.
PARTITION IRAQ…???? I HOPE NO OTHER
AGGRESSIVE NATION DECIDES THAT WE HAVE
TO DIVIDE THE U.S. INTO 3 PARTS… SO
WE LIBERALS, CONSERVATIVES AND
INDEPENDENTS DON'T FIGHT. STOP NATION
BUILDING… THERE'S NOTHING IN OUR
CONSTITUTION THAT PROVIDES FOR IT.
….ON SECOND THOUGHT… BIDEN MIGHT
WANT TO DIVIDE UP THE U.S….. MAYBE
CHRISTIANS, JEWS AND AGNOSTICS…
HOW 'BOUT IT JOE?

LQ Rochester MN   December 22nd, 2007 8:42 pm ET

I agree. I wish he would get more media attention.
Biden could be just what this country needs.
You certainly aren't going to find anyone with more experience!!

Dan, Birmingham, AL   December 22nd, 2007 4:26 pm ET

What's going on here? The Giuliani story ("Giuliani sees doctor…") had 0 comments late last night, now has 14… but there are still no more than 2 comments on this one?

I posted a reply around 10-11 p.m. and neither mine nor any other comments have appeared.

There were no obscenities in my remarks and they were fairly brief… what gives? I understand everything is moderated, but again — why faster approval on the Giuliani comments )(and others) and not comments for this story?

MS Johnson City, TN   December 22nd, 2007 1:25 pm ET

Sorry to know about Sen. Biden's family tragedy.

He is the best candidate Democrats have. But the Establishment that sacrificed Sen. Kerry in the last presidential election to make way for Hillary will not give him time of the day.

I wrote off Sen. Biden when he started talking about breaking Iraq into three pieces. That told me that this "best and the brightest" reads from playbook of the British, and they are despised pretty much everywhere they ruled.

Sen. Biden doesn't need to worry about my vote. I am not a Democrat. And I don't have to worry about him breaking Iraq because our next president Ron Paul is not into breaking up other countries.

mark wilkes barre pa   December 22nd, 2007 6:43 am ET

Haters !!!!!!! I am asking you to leave this story alone,,,, I am a life time republican and I am telling you it would be wrong,, and not necessary

Mark R. Fort Lauderdale FL   December 22nd, 2007 2:45 am ET

I wish he would reconsider being Hillary's VP

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 22nd, 2007 1:55 am ET

Ok, a sympathy vote never hurt.

Dan, Birmingham, AL   December 21st, 2007 11:13 pm ET

I've got a feeling Iowans are gonna put this guy in third on Jan. 3. The news media remains determined to ignore him for the most part, but it'll be tough to after a good showing in the caucus.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but besides Obama, no other Dem. candidate has consistently gained traction in various polls — albeit slow-moving — than Biden.

Something's in the works… people who haven't been giving him much of a look are going to flip out when they notice who they've been passing on all this time.

AJ, IL   December 21st, 2007 11:03 pm ET

Biden is a good guy but a long-time Washington fixture as well. Think about it, he has not been polling well in the primary states as well as nationally. Then he decides to talk about his tragedic family loss with less than 2 weeks of Iowa caucaus voting. Looks like he is going for the sympathy vote.

corey biscieglia egg harbor twp, nj   December 21st, 2007 9:26 pm ET

I dont understand why people arent takeing a more serious look at putting this man in the white house, if we ever needed someone to save this country Joe Biden is the person.

Susan   December 21st, 2007 9:21 pm ET

I really like this guy. I'm sorry he's not getting more press. He and Hillary and Bill Richardson are the only candidates with the solid experience needed. NOT OBAMA!

David, Bay Area, CA   December 21st, 2007 8:30 pm ET

The only candidates who really have qualifying experience in this election are Biden, Richardson, Romney, and McCain. I guess they just don't all have the star power of Clinton, Obama, or Guiliani.

Wyatt Medford,Oregon   December 21st, 2007 7:00 pm ET

Biden what a great candidate, the only one in my humble opinion worthy of the position.

Daniel 6, Philadelphia PA.   December 21st, 2007 5:47 pm ET

This man is the real deal. He is type of leadership this country needs. The next president must be prepared to hit the ground running. Biden can get votes on both sides of the isle. That is what it takes to get things done.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com