Obama surprises Biden -- a day early

Posted: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:20 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Joe Biden

From NBC's Savannah Guthrie
According to a transition official, Obama today surprised Biden one day before his 66th birthday with cupcakes after their weekly lunch. He lit the candles on the 12 cupcakes and brought them over to Biden.

Obama joked, "You're 12 years old!"

Biden laughed, replying: "Maybe in dog years!"

Then Obama led the staff in singing Biden Happy Birthday. Obama also surprised him by giving him a Chicago White Sox hat, a Chicago Bears hat, and a bucket of Garrett's popcorn as gifts.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Random Thoughts (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:30 PM)

awww...i wish they'd put up pictures on obama's flickr!!

happy, boston, ma (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:32 PM)

Happy Birthday to Joe Biden!!!! Can't wait for both he and Obama to be sworn into office so we get to see more of them. It's strange not seeing them on a daily basis as we did during the campaign. I hope the next four years bring both them and their families both success and peace.

stephanie, ft. pierce, fl. (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:33 PM)

Today is NOT a slow news day, so as aw-shucks as this is and as much as I love BHO and Joe, I'm not sure why this was posted.

blkbrtfly fna Kathy, Charlotte NOT THE PUMA (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:34 PM)

As trivial as this FR newsread is, it is a nice to see something lighthearted once in a while to remind all of us that everyone is human.

Happy Bday Vice President Elect Biden!

MN of Phoenix, AZ (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:34 PM)

Again, the contrasts. Can anyone visualize such a relaxed humorous event happening between Bush and Cheney? NOT!

Claudia, irivne, ca (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:34 PM)

I think Obama and Biden have great chemistry together. And that's key to being a successful team.

Deb in MN (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:35 PM)

President Elect Obama is going to bring back what the White House needed for along time and that is (TEAM WORK). President Elect Obama does have the potential of becoming one of the greatest Presidents that ever served our country.

AL Fort Worth, Texas (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:41 PM)

This is good team chemistry that Obama-Biden have built politically. I noticed this professional, positive, and productive working relationship early on, which is very crucial for success. Happy Birthday Joe! I hope you enjoyed your gift of cup cakes.

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:42 PM)

I just LOVE Obama/Biden.......

Shelly, Manchester, CT (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:43 PM)

That's so funny how Obama did the cupcake birthday surprise a day early and was very diplomatic to not have 66 candles on sokme big cake. Nice to have something light and humorous to comment upon.

Thanks First Read for giving us so many great articles to comment upon and for posting our comments. FR is the best place for politics and the whole FR crew Rocks!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:43 PM)

All the best things in Chicago. Way to go.

diyosaph (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:45 PM)

We could do without the White Sox's hat (Cub fans!; other than that, quite thoughtful!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:45 PM)

All the best things in Chicago. Way to go.

diyosaph, Bloomingdale, IL (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:46 PM)

Now that is just nice. Love hearing stories of people just getting along. Hate all the hate that almost killed the America I know and love.

Cynthia, Philly PA (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:52 PM)

Then Obama led the staff in singing Biden Happy Birthday. Obama also surprised him by giving him a Chicago White Sox hat, a Chicago Bears hat, and a bucket of Garrett's popcorn as gifts.

And in typical Democratic fashion, all this junk was paid for with taxpayer money.
Random Thoughts

On what basis do you believe that cupcakes and gifts totalling under a 100 are tax payer funded? Grow up!

Happy Birthday Joe!

Sara Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:55 PM)

It is nice to see that we have a vice president and a president who seems to not only like each other but respect each other as well, and it also helps that President elect Barak Obama seems to be just as caring and thoughtful as he has portrayed himself to be on the campaign trail. That is refreshing and very much needed during these tough times for our country

Tirzah, Middletown, OH (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:55 PM)

Can anyone imagine George Bush bringing Dick Cheney cupcakes?

lol

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:55 PM)

No that would be 84.

Molly Iowa City, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:56 PM)

Another reason to love Joe Biden - he and I share a birthday month. Yeah, I know -- a stretch.

But still - Happy Birthday Vice President Elect Biden!! All the best for many, many more!

Pres-Elect Obama -- you are one classy guy!! But then we knew that already.

Liz, NY (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:59 PM)

I think this is very endearing. I am sure Vice President Elect Biden was pleased.

Doreen Augusta Maine (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:04 PM)

Wow! Love this stuff! Keep it comin! Glad to hear about people able to be ordinary and having fun! The next leader of the freeworld decorates cup cakes for his buddy. Gotta love this guy!

Becky, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:10 PM)

"Random Thoughts" that is why your thoughts only come randomly because they make no sense whatsoever. Do you know for a fact that it was paid for by taxpayers money, and if it was did you donate any money to the Obama/Biden campaign. If not then if you can not say anything nice don't say anything at all.

Happy Birthday Joe Biden and may you have many more.

Pam Bloomington, IL (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:11 PM)

Just a small touch of why we all have such hope of once again being "united" rather than "divided".

Debbie Scott (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:12 PM)

That doesn't even make sense. Dog years are shorter than human years. A more apt joke would have been, "Maybe in Saturn years!"

Dave, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:25 PM)

It's nice to know your new boss is such a thoughtful and gracious guy--wait, we already knew that! Happy Birthday, Vice-President Elect, Joe Biden! Many more.

Ann (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:29 PM)

The sour pickle at the top of the comments reminds me of my ex. Maybe he'd rather go back to the Bush years, the DARK AGES. WE'RE all about to have a lot more fun!

AML Sonoma,CA (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:29 PM)

Happy Birthday Vice President-Elect, you are alright with me, I don't care what Barack Obama said about you. smile''

Debra (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:31 PM)

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