Mansfield played big role early in career of Biden

[Ptah]

Mansfield played big role early in career of Biden

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/NEWS01/808260304/1002


HELENA — Later this week, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden will stand alongside presidential candidate
Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver and accept the party's nomination
for vice president.

But had it not been for former Montana Sen. Mike Mansfield, Biden might never have made it to the
convention.

Biden won election to the U.S. Senate in November 1972 at the age of 29, defeating a longtime
Republican incumbent. But shortly before Biden was sworn in, his wife Neilia and infant daughter
Naomi were killed in a tragic car crash that also left his two sons severely injured.

Biden, just 30 years old at the time, told Senate Majority Leader Mansfield that he planned to
relinquish his seat in the Senate.

Mansfield encouraged him to reconsider, calling him repeatedly as the young senator-elect
stood vigil over his sons' hospital beds and pleading with him to change his mind.