VP's Creepy Chatter at Ceremonial Senate Swear Ins

As President of the Senate, Vice President Joe Biden has the duty to administer the oath of office to members at the start of a session (even though the Senate maintains that it is a continuous body).  Members take the official oath in groups of ten on the Senate floor, but as part of the pomp and ceremony of the 114th Congress, Senators and their families make ceremonial poses in the Old Senate Chambers in the Capitol.

Vice President Biden's Id appeared unleashed as he was administering this ceremonial duty.  When 80 year old Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) stepped to the dais to take the oath with his teenaged granddaughter Emily, the Vice President complimented the pretty teen by quipping: "I hope you have a big fence around the house!".



Mr. Biden was so pleased with his presumed piropo that he repeated the "big fence" line with freshman Senator Joni Ernst's (R-IA) daughter Libby. This was not the end of Biden's smooth moves with the Ernsts.  He addressed his colleague as Gail (her husband's name) instead of Joni.  Furthermore, the Vice President then put his arm around Libby as the oath was administered.

[L] Senator Joni Ernst's ceremonial oath, by V.P. Joe Biden  Old Senate Chambers 01/06/2105 {Photo credit: AP}

These creepy comments and  awkward encounters were not reserved exclusively for GOP families.  Vice President Biden said to four term Senator Dick Durban's (D-IL) grandson: "You've got killer eyes. The girls are in trouble.".

When first term Senator Chris Coons (R-DE) was posing for his 114th Congress oath, Vice President Biden tried to kiss Coon's daughter Margaret on the head, but she turned away.

These avuncular blurtations and clumsy socialization might have been tolerated at a family gathering with an odd old uncle, but this was a public ceremony.  Moreover, the special attention which Mr. Biden gave lovely young women was uncomfortable, if not creepy.

Remember, Mr. Biden is one heartbeat away from the Oval Office.  In addition, the Vice President is positioned to make a run for the White House on his own in 2016.  This gives the "big fence around the house" quip even more poignancy.

UPDATE 01/11/2015  While responding to a Chris Wallace's question on Fox News Sunday, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) insists that his daughter does not think that Vice President Biden is creepy.  In fact, Coons claims that Biden was just trying to help Maggie get through a day in the spotlight. Oh, by putting the spotlight on a teen by whispering sweet nothings in her ear and seeking to give her a peck on the forehead.  Sure.

h/t: Daily Mail
      New York Magazine