This in-depth profile explores the lengthy and adversity-filled path of Joseph R. Biden Jr. on his way to becoming the 46th and oldest-ever President of the United States. We track Biden’s life from his childhood roots in Pennsylvania and Delaware, the family tragedies including the loss of his first wife and daughter that shaped his empathy and perseverance, and his unlikely political rise from winning a U.S. Senate seat in Delaware at age 29 to one of the longest and most influential Senate careers focused on judiciary and foreign relations issues. After two failed presidential campaigns, Barack Obama surprisingly chose the veteran Biden as his Vice President to balance his slim resume. Biden brought working class appeal, deep legislative experience and foreign policy heft to the historic Obama presidency. Though plagued by verbal missteps, Biden retained popularity and built the profile to mount a third White House bid at age 76, emerging from a diverse field to take on incumbent Donald Trump. Riding strong support from African-American voters, he prevailed over Trump by flipping five battleground states in a divisive race revolving around competence, character and the future of American democracy. Now President in his own right though facing doubts about his capacity to deliver on an ambitious agenda, can an aging Biden meet the harsh challenges of a pandemic-era America? This podcast explores that winding question mark still unfolding over Joseph Robinette Biden’s barrier-breaking and tragedy-tinged career at the helm of global power.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.