One of the most common facts about Joe Biden is that he is the United States’ oldest president. However, there are many lesser-known facts about the politician that you may not be aware of. This piece highlights some of them.
1. Joe’s Middle Name is Robinette
Before his inauguration, three-quarters of Americans and the world at large didn’t know that Joe’s middle name is Robinette. Robinette, quite an uncommon name, was the maiden name of his grandmother, who died in 2002.
2. Joe Biden Tried Running for Presidency in 1988
Joe Biden has been in politics for a considerable amount of time. To put this into perspective, he first ran for the US presidency in 1988. Biden had served in the Senate for over a decade before then, so he was perceived as one of the best candidates for that position. However, his campaign wasn’t very successful, so he lost.
3. Joe Biden was Drafted Five Times for the Vietnam War
Young Joe Biden received five drafts for the Vietnam War, the same number that former VP d*ck Cheney received. However, Biden didn’t serve for his country because he had asthma. To be picked, one had to pass all medical checks, including an asthma test.
4. Joe Biden was the First Catholic Vice President
As the 47th vice president, Joe Biden made history by being the first catholic VP. Only five other vice president candidates were catholic: Thomas Eagleton, Geraldine Ferraro, William Miller, Sargent Shiver, and Ed Muskie. None of them ever succeeded except Joe Biden.
5. As a Child, Joe Biden Struggled with a Stutter
During his youth, Joe Biden had a speech impediment; he would often stutter while talking. At the time when he was enrolled in a Catholic School, many of his peers and even teachers would make fun of him. However, the current US president worked on his stutter and became one of US history’s most fluent politicians.
6. Young Biden was a Shrewd Football Player
When studying at the Archmere Academy in Claymont, the young Joe Bidden was considered an intelligent football player – an excellent halfback and wide receiver for his team. Biden has bragged about his high school football skills occasionally. For instance, at the summit of Native American nations, he claimed he was the runner-up in the state-scoring championship.
7. Biden was One of the Youngest Elected Senators in the US
Besides being the oldest president the US has ever had, Joe Biden is also one of the youngest senators to be elected. He was elected as senator when he was only 29 years old.
8. Joe Biden Once Sprayed His Dorm Director with a Fire Extinguisher While in College
During a Coast Guard graduation, Joe Biden shocked his audience by narrating how he sprayed his dorm supervisor with a fire extinguisher while in college. He got probation for it.
9. Joe Biden Owns a 1967 Corvette Stingray
Joe Biden has a thing for old-school American cars; he owns a 1967 Corvette Stingray. He has done a burnout on this car when he was interviewed by Jay Leno’s Garage in 2016 and even released an ad with it. As president, however, the Secret Service does not allow him to drive the personal car for safety reasons.
10. In 1988, Biden Suffered 2 Severe Brain Aneurysms
A year after his failed attempt at the presidency, Joe Biden suffered 2 serious brain aneurysms, which came after a long battle with head and neck pain. He admitted that he could never go around without a bottle of Tylenol, a drug used to treat mild to moderate pain. According to the politician, this life-changing moment shaped him into the man he is.
11. Joe Biden and John McCain were Very Good Friends
Although John McCain and Joe Biden were known to be at each other’s throats during talk shows, they shared a very strong friendship. The pair knew each other so well that Biden gave McCain’s eulogy in 2018 during his memorial service.
12. Joe Biden Doesn’t Drink Alcohol
During his 2008 campaign trail, Joe said that there were enough alcoholics in his family, hinting at his mother’s side of the family, which drank too much. His brother Frank was also affected by alcohol. As such, Biden says he is a teetotaler and advocates for living sober. He also doesn’t smoke.
13. Obama Stopped Biden from Running for President in 2016
It’s public information that Biden wanted to run for the presidency after President Obama’s second term. However, Obama stopped Biden from running by gently pressing over his bid. He showed Biden statistics that favored Clinton more. This never worked because Trump beat Clinton in that election, despite many assuming she was the best candidate for the Democrats.