JOE Biden spoke emotionally today about his late son Beau — who he says “should be the one running for president, not me.”
The former vice president described how much Beau, who died from at 46 years old, stays with him as he campaigns for the .
“Every morning I get up, not a joke, I think to myself, ‘Is he proud of me?’” tearfully said of his son, who he says made him promise to “stay engaged” in public service after his death.
That “didn’t mean I had to , but he was worried I’d walk away from what I’ve worked on my whole life, since I’ve been 24 years old,” the 77-year-old said.
“He is part of me, and so is my surviving son, Hunter, and Ashley [his daughter].”
Biden said: “He walks with me, I know that sounds to some people kind of silly, but he really, honest to God, does. I know he’s in me.”
He explained that while campaigning or attending events, an “amazing number of people” approach him and tell him they’ve just lost their own son, or daughter, or spouse.
“They’ll throw their arms around me,” Biden says, “and all they want to know is that you can make it — and the way you make it is you find purpose and you realize they’re inside you, they’re part of you.”
“It’s impossible to separate it, and that’s the really good thing.”
“Beau and Hunter and Ashley got me through a lot, but particularly Beau,” who Biden says encouraged him before vice presidential debates, telling him to “just be who you are” and remember to aim for “home base.”
"He still grabs me by the lapel every time I walk out," Biden emotionally said.
Beau Biden died in May 2015, two years after he was diagnosed with .
He was three years old when his dad was elected to the Senate.
Beau later entered public service himself and was elected to serve as attorney general twice.
“He’s supped at this table since he’s been 3 years old,” Biden said after Beau won his election.
“I’m just proud of him. I think he will make the state proud,” his dad added.
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In addition to his work as a lawyer and attorney general, Beau was a major in an Army National Guard unit that deployed to in 2008.
Two years later, Beau suffered a mild stroke.
In 2014, he announced plans to run for governor in 2016, but died before he had the opportunity.
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