Heartfelt tributes pour in for Beau Biden
Beau Biden addresses the final session of the 2012 Democratic National Convention. (Photo: Jason Reed/Reuters)
Tributes from both sides of the political aisle are pouring in after the death of Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, who died Saturday of brain cancer at age 46.
Beau Biden — former Delaware attorney general, Iraq War veteran, husband and father of two — was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier this month for then-undisclosed reasons.
“He battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life,” the vice president said in announcing Beau’s death. “The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beau’s spirit will live on in all of us — especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children.”
He added: “Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known.”
“For all that Beau Biden achieved in his life, nothing made him prouder, nothing made him happier, nothing claimed a fuller focus of his love and devotion than his family,” President Barack Obama said in a separate statement. “Just like his dad.”
The president quoted a passage by the poet William Butler Yeats.
“I have believed the best of every man,” Yeats wrote. “And find that to believe it is enough to make a bad man show him at his best or even a good man swing his lantern higher.”
“Beau Biden believed the best of us all,” Obama said. “For him, and for his family, we swing our lanterns higher.”
On Twitter, current and former political leaders — including Hillary Clinton, John Boehner and the family of former Vice President Dick Cheney — offered their condolences.
My heart is broken for the family of Beau Biden—a wonderful man who served his country with devotion and lived his life with courage. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 31, 2015
Sincere condolences to @VP Biden, Jill, & their entire family on the loss of Beau. My thoughts & prayers are with you. -jb
— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) May 31, 2015
Beau was a wonderful, strong and courageous man. I thought the world of him. Our deepest condolences to the Biden family in this tragic time
— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) May 31, 2015
My entire family is shattered by his death. http://t.co/NBmh0E6oXJ
— Gov. Jack Markell (@GovernorMarkell) May 31, 2015
My heart is breaking for the Biden family. Beau represented all that is good about Delaware and our country. I will miss him greatly.
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) May 31, 2015
It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we share the news of the loss of a great leader, Maj. Beau Biden. http://t.co/E77RPIHlbQ
— Del National Guard (@DelawareNG) May 31, 2015
From the entire Cheney family - our deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the @VP Biden family.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) May 31, 2015
Our hearts go out to the Biden family upon the loss of Beau. Proud to have worked with Beau as Attorneys General. We will miss him dearly.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 31, 2015
Many recalled Beau Biden’s tribute to his father during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Here’s Beau Biden’s moving tribute to his dad at the 2008 Democratic convention. http://t.co/ClvcGKvgAd pic.twitter.com/9T9ZUByNsL
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) May 31, 2015
As we all remember Beau. Beau Biden Introducing His Father at the DNC - YouTube https://t.co/9jBQsoj5c6
— Jen Psaki (@Psaki44) May 31, 2015
VP Biden told me in 2009 about his son Beau: “This is the finest man I’ve ever known in my life: my son.” RIP.
— David Gregory (@davidgregory) May 31, 2015
Others highlighted Beau Biden’s work as the attorney general in Delaware, where he established a child predator unit to combat sexual abuse.
Beau Biden crusaded to end sexual abuse against children http://t.co/A3KtdTpoUQ pic.twitter.com/qst7bawR8H
— ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) May 31, 2015
But most simply paid their respects to the Biden family.
Our thoughts & condolences are w/ @VP Biden, his family, & loved ones during this difficult time. Sending our love & prayers from #Boston.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) May 31, 2015
Candles burning for the Bidens. Beau was too good with too much left to do. Hope he keeps Pop company
— Chris Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) May 31, 2015
Beau Biden was a throughly admirable man. Great husband, father, son, veteran and public servant. My heart aches for the Biden family.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) May 31, 2015
