Democracy doesn't happen by accident. We have to defend it, fight for it, strengthen it, renew it. - Joe Biden

Jill and I met with the sister of the teacher who was murdered and whose husband died of a heart attack two days later, leaving behind four beautiful, orphaned children — and all now orphaned. The sister asked us: What could she say? What could she tell her nieces and nephews? It was one of the most heartbreaking moments that I can remember. All I could think to say was — I told her to hold them tight. Hold them tight.

We stand again at an inflection point. We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and purpose. We can do it. I know we can. I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America. We must restore the soul of America. Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses. It is time for our better angels to prevail Tonight, the whole world is watching America. I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe. And we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.'''

Ya know, Joey,” Uncle Ed would say, “there’s no accountin’ for horses’ asses.” And Uncle Ed’s line became a key bit of shorthand between us, a private joke. When one foreign head of state came to the White House for a visit,…almost the first thing out of his mouth was this: “They say I am strong, Barack, and you are weak…We just looked at one another, and the president, cool as always, turned to me, raised an eyebrow and said, “Uncle Ed.