Joe Biden Had A Better Time Yesterday Than Anyone

To paraphrase Kanye West, Vice President Joe Biden is a star, how could he not shine? Or at least, so pondered the new members of the 114th Congress yesterday, where Biden, the selfie-snapping second in command of the Free World, had a better time than pretty much anyone else. While 13 senators were being sworn in to their new position, the notoriously camera-happy Biden could be found posing with children and complimenting the wives and husbands of the newly inducted politicians.

While the official swearing-in ceremony for Congress is largely ceremonial, Biden has been known to steal the show from the new members, with Monday being no exception. The event was replete with “Bidenisms,” the veep even going so far as to call Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner’s grandmother on the phone ("Betty, how are you? My name is Joe Biden, Vice President Biden?" he said) and hitting a little too close to home for some under-appreciated siblings when he remarked, "We have something in common — we have sisters brighter and better looking than us.”

Admittedly, there were no utterances as good as 2013's "Spread your legs, you're gonna be frisked," but then again, "My only regret is I don't live in Wyoming," could become the catch-phrase 2015 is missing. For more Bidenisms, check out the Washington Post’s “The Joe Biden Random Compliment Generator.”

In fact, the only people who came close to stealing Biden's spotlight were the children, although as he helpfully reminded some of the youngsters he greeted, "I like kids better than people!" Although not everyone, particularly Delaware Sen. Chris Coons' daughter, was pleased with the veep's antics.

Some more of the day's Bidenisms:

• "I may be Irish, but I'm not stupid," as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham approached.
• "As they say in southern Delaware, 'Boy, you married up," to the husband of Maine Sen. Susan Collins.
• "Hope you have a big fence around the house," to the granddaughter of Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch.
• "Say 'Grandpa, can I talk to a Democrat?'" about Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell's infant grandson.

Why, indeed.