I think plenty of white male politicians would have jumped at the chance to be VP, regardless of whether or not the president was black. They are careerist, they will do whatever it takes to satisfy their ambition and the opportunity to be VP is much more important than some kind of slight to their pride by playing second fiddle to a black person.

I don't see this as profound or even out of the ordinary. So Joe took the opportunity to jump aboard the Obama train and as VP, he didn't undermine his president despite that president being black. Wow, what an achievement.

If this is the best pitch they have to convince people that Joe is an ally of the African American Community, I'm afraid it falls terribly short when juxtaposed to how the man legislated throughout his long career. It is a very weak attempt to draw our focus away from his despicable past. The fact that he was VP to a black president, who didn't actually do much for black people, does not erase his past.

Joe Biden is a great guy and I'm hopeful that he gets in. I'm not sure he actually wanted to be president , it's more that he knows he's our last best hope. If Trump gets another term, the future for this planet is not good.

Echoing @RoboGraham: Biden not undermining Obama is about the best that can be said for his support of African Americans. You do not have to dig too deep to understand his career-long negative impacts on that community. Here the two most egregious actions of then Senator Joe Biden that have been and will continue to impact generations of African Americans:

1. As head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he is responsible for the ultra-Conservative Clarence Thomas becoming a Supreme Court Justice
2. He authored the 1994 Crime Bill that opened the floodgates to mass incarceration, disproportionately affected black and brown people

I also think that anyone who has a severe stuttering problem & enters a life of public speaking has A LOT of gumption! I like that!

Biden delivered the white men of his era, not a lot, cuz most appear racist, but enough. It’s like he’s the right guy at the right time. Doubt he wanted to run this time, but knew we needed stability and stature..

He’ll help us heal, sustain a couple Supreme Court justices, regain some stature on the world stage, move as far and fast as ‘the new Congress’ will allow, and leave a well positioned woman as VP.. Not bad for a career in politics ~