JOE BIDEN FELT the need to fill silence when he was meeting Enda Kenny yesterday by making a joke about people wearing orange.
The US Vice President’s remark upset Northern Irish unionists, even though he quickly qualified it was a joke.
It wasn’t the first time that “Uncle Joe’s” mouth has got him in trouble. Biden has become known for speaking somewhat loosely in his time on the international stage.
The thing about Biden, however, is that he never seems to get in that much trouble. People laugh, they may ask for an apology, but the former US Senator from Delaware delivers his lines with some much enthusiasm and good humour that he rarely experiences much backlash.
His style of quip has been attributed by the New York Times to his “weak filters”, with Howard Fineman calling him a “street politician”, a man who connects with people and makes a sale of his ideas. The wit he possesses is a huge factor in this ability.
Largely his gaffes are borne out of enthusiasm or just simply not thinking, but crowds love him and he has remarkable recovery abilities.
But, sometimes, the filters just don’t work:
“You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking.”
- In 2006, to an Indian American constituent in Delaware.
“My friends, I don’t have to tell you, this election year the choice is clear. One man stands ready to deliver change we desperately need. A man I’m proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next president of the United States – Barack America.” – in 2008 while campaigning alongside Barack Obama.
“McCain’s last-minute economic plan does nothing to tackle the No. 1 job facing the middle class, and it happens to be, as Barack says, a three-letter word: jobs. J-O-B-S, jobs.” – again in 2008, miscounting the number of letters in jobs.
“His mom lived in Long Island for ten years or so. God rest her soul. And- although, she’s- wait- your mom’s still- your mom’s still alive. Your dad passed. God bless her soul.” – accidentally killing off Brian Cowen’s mother in 2010.
“This is a big fucking deal!” – caught on mic telling Obama that the passing of the Affordable Care Act was quite the achievement.
“I’m told Chuck Graham, state senator, is here. Stand up Chuck, let ‘em see you. Oh, God love you. What am I talking about?” - Chuck Graham is in a wheelchair.
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