"I had this impulse to hug him, so I did. And I cried. I think I even got tears on the VP's jacket!"

[Kadie]

"I had this impulse to hug him, so I did. And I cried. I think I even got tears on the Vice President's suit jacket! ... I am hugging the man who will help me and help our President move forward."
—Kobe



“Keep the faith”
By Zara Rahim on October 3, 2012


Standing at the back of a packed high school gym as Vice President Biden finished speaking in Ft. Myers, Florida, on Saturday was 15-year-old Kobe Groce. He cradled a "Forward" sign, hoping to get the Vice President to sign it for his brother, Kaelin. After unsuccessfully trying to make it to the front of the event, a staff member asked if he could help. Kobe told his story, and the staffer left for a moment and came back, saying simply: "The Vice President would like to meet you."

"I turned around and looked back at my mother as I was walking with the staffer in disbelief—I didn't know how to react. I was about to meet the man that helped make my life so much better.

"My mother, Jessica, raised us as a single mother. She's a teacher and has worked so hard to support her four children. I wanted the Vice President to know that yes, we are definitely better off than we were four years ago. My family has received the tax cuts for the middle class that the President and Vice President passed, and it has helped us tremendously.

"The President and Vice President have gone above and beyond for people like me and my family, and they stand for things like keeping school affordable. My older brother uses Pell Grants and college loans to be able to afford school, and I'm thankful for that. I want to be able to go to Florida State University one day, and now I know I don't have to worry about being able to afford it. Life would not be the way it is today if they hadn't taken office four years ago.

"The Vice President approached me and I was introduced to him as a ‘special guest.’ I was overwhelmed with different emotions. I had this impulse to hug him, so I did. And I cried. I think I even got tears on the Vice President's suit jacket! I met someone who has done so much for my family without even knowing us, and that was an incredible, overwhelming feeling. I felt like he really heard me, like he knew who I was. I am hugging the man who will help me and help our President move forward."


more here...
http://www.barackobama.com/news/entry/keep-the-faith?source=read-more

[lamp_shade]

1. Wow. Look at the emotion on Joe's face. What a wonderful story.

[shireen]

19. i saw that too

both of them were touched to be in each others presence. Wonderful moment.

[Wait Wut]

46. He's a wonderful man.

So much compassion.

And, what an equally wonderful young man he has in his arms.

That one picture took me by such surprise that I immediately teared up.

[xtraxritical]

50. Joe B has never been more than a civil servant and has no secret bank accounts...

He's a "real" guy and understands middle class Americans. That said, President Obama also worked his way to the top from nothing special. Neither men had a "leg up" like Romney.

[valerief]

69. Romney had enough legs up to make him a centipede. nt

[niyad]

2. k and r

[bamacrat]

3. Makes me happy they are in charge.

Adults, human adults. As opposed to the chimp like children that ran this place for way too long.

[Cracklin Charlie]

4. Thanks a lot, Kadie!

Once again, after reading your post, I am going to work crying.

That picture is making me very emotional. I absolutely love it!

President Obama's best decision...Joe Biden as Vice President!

[Kadie]

65. I have been trying to read all the responses to my post,

and I can only read a little at a time, and have to keep coming back because I can't keep from tearing up at this story.

[garthranzz]

5. This is what it's all about...

The people moments.

Obama-cares! So does Biden.

Thank you so much for this.

[frazzled]

6. I don't usually get emotional, but

That story and picture really brought some momentary tears to my eyes. I guess I get emotional when young people, and their hopes and dreams, are involved.

[SCVDem]

32. Me too!

[Fla Dem]

44. Me Three! n/t

[TahitiNut]

85. Fore.

[Melissa G]

7. Thanks for posting

made me tear up a bit.

[efhmc]

38. Would use the term "ditto" if not so abused so let's just say

"me too".

[riverwalker]

8. something in my eyes

that photo...wow

[nc4bo]

16. Really have to do something about that riverwalker....here's what I do

Best to get it all out.

God this is such a touching story and the photo...........

Best wishes to this wonderfully sensitive and smart young man and his family!!

[wryter2000]

9. Biden's a real Mensch

You can't fake that.

[kardonb]

31. politics....

Wryter , you took the words right out of my mouth , thank you so much . We are sooo lucky to have two caring , humane , compassionate leaders at the helm of our nation . Not two cold , unfeeling robots .

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. You aren't going to see people do this with Ryan.

Unless it's a multimillionaire.

[ywcachieve]

30. Since Ryan will not be VP, of course we will never see this with him.

[sellitman]

61. Lyin Ryan would never give a rats ass for folks in this man's position.

Thank God he will not be VP.

[HelenWheels]

11. I love Joe.

I feel he really gets me and those like me. Although he has spent many years in Washington he has never lost his common touch.
And he has the best smile in politics.

[Auntie Bush]

14. And the most compassion.

No wonder he's been re-elected so many times. He's the man!

[CrispyQ]

28. +1 on the smile!

I don't always agree with him, but Joe will never bullshit you.

[CindyinIndy]

12. Thanks!

DU makes me cry happy tears daily. Love you all!

[NBachers]

13. We've got to re-elect Obama and Biden; we've got to give them a Congress that will support them

[renate]

15. how wonderful!

I know I'm biased, but I literally can't begin to imagine that kind of warmth and caring in an interaction with Romney or Ryan or with any other Republican politician. (Not that I can imagine it with every single Democratic politician, either, but there are a few.) Democrats really are all about lifting each other up. I have such a hard time understanding why the race is even the tiniest bit close.

Wonderful story, and the emotion on Kobe's face is incredibly touching.

[rhiannon55]

17. What a beautiful photo and story

Joe Biden is a beautiful man

[FirstLight]

18. beautiful

thanks so much for sharing... yes, on second glance I got weepy as well

What a blessing to have these men in office...with HEART and that can't be faked!

[Historic NY]

20. Joe is one of us.

[Stuart G]

78. Yes, he is..nt

[NOLALady]

21. My eyes are leaking. Again.

I still tear up when I think of the picture of Janiya Penny
http://www.eurweb.com/2012/09/make-a-wish-foundation-grants-janiya-pennys-wish-to-meet-obama/

I have the strangest feeling that my eyes will probably leak a lot between now and November.

[skeewee08]

22. I am teary eyed

Wow I am so moved Thanks Kadie for posting....

[yesphan]

23. Touching, indeed.

[FailureToCommunicate]

24. Heart melting. And Kobe is a very articulate teenager.

Good luck to him, his family...

and all of us on Election day...

[catbyte]

25. Can you imagine that kid hugging Ryan or Romney? I can't either

And that's why I think we will prevail on November 6.

[beac]

26. FORWARD!!

What a great story and pic. FORWARD!!!

[Patiod]

27. Looking for a Pell handout so he can better himself, move to a higher tax bracket and....

Oh, wait, that's what we all want.

Never mind.

[Brigid]

29. And Joe is thinking . . .

That this is why he got into politics in the first place. *sniff*

[-Steph-]

33. A truly touching photo...

Warms my heart

[mac56]

34. Damn allergies.

[Sheepshank]

35. So much pain and anguish in this young man's life.

I am moved by this picture.

And then I get pissed off when I think about the Republicans and their willingness to crap on thos those that are struggling...and teachers!!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

36. Okay, I just lost it a little bit. The way Joe is embracing that kid just got to me. Joe makes us

all feel safer. He's that wise, empathetic granddad that everyone should be so lucky to have.

[Jennicut]

43. I know. I totally adore that man.

He has a good soul.

[Tarheel_Dem]

48. "He has a good soul." I honestly believe that, and this pic is just further proof of it.

[handmade34]

37. awww

I'm crying just reading it

[ladjf]

39. Joe is a good man. I'm glad that he and the young lady met. nt

[WinkyDink]

42. Young man. :-)

[WinkyDink]

40. Got me crying, too! No way---NO WAY---would R&R EVER help someone like Kobe. Can't America SEE THAT?

[Indpndnt]

62. That 47% tape pulled back the curtain on the Mittzard of Ooze.

I think America is seeing that much more clearly, lately.

[Rose Siding]

41. Joe called Kobe's brother! from the link:

"I explained to the Vice President that the reason I was there was because my older brother inspired me to do so. He said, 'Do you have his phone number?' Then he called him and said, 'Kaelin, this is Vice President Biden' and they chatted for about five minutes! He also signed my placard, and the last line of his note really has stuck with me. He wrote: 'It was a pleasure meeting you, keep the faith.'

"I'm definitely going to keep the faith, and the thing I'm most looking forward to is watching President Obama and Vice President Biden being sworn in for a second term on January 20th, 2013."

I love Joe.

[pinstikfartherin]

45. Can we get a warning on these kind of posts?

Warning: May cause tears. Wait until at home so co-workers won't think you're crazy.

...love it!

[skeewee08]

47. LOL.. I agree everyone was looking at me &

asking me what's wrong....

[nolabear]

49. No kidding. I'm in the San Francisco airport crying.

Heck though, I hope someone DOES ask.

[Kadie]

66. :)

[Digital Puppy]

86. Agreed!!

...something got in my eye....damn!

[sonias]

51. Oh damn it now you have me crying!

I love this young man Kobe Groce! I wish I could hug him back.



for a great moving story.

[JTG of the PRB]

52. I think I have a little something in my eye right now...

Great story, just wonderful!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

53. I think you passed it along to me...

That story, in a nutshell, is why I'm a Democrat.

[Digital Puppy]

87. +1

[calimary]

54. I cried, too.

The GOP has hearts of stone. The Dems just have hearts.

[one_voice]

55. .....

.....in a good way!

K&R

[Avalux]

56. This is REAL. This is how it should be. I'm crying now too.....

I know our government is far from being what it should be, but I really believe Obama and Biden care about us. They may be limited in what they can do, but I think they do try.

[postulater]

57. For a 15 year old he is very knowledgeable.

He'll do well.

I'm happy Joe represents me there.

[klook]

58. This is what it's all about

"...someone who has done so much for my family without even knowing us."

That's what good public servants do. That's why we need Obama and Biden, and a congress that will work with them, to keep making things better for all the Kobes out there.

[lunatica]

59. I just started bawling!

That photograph is incredibly powerful. The profound emotion in both their faces is amazing.

[Whovian]

60. I think I just got tears on my keyboard. What a wonderful story.

[avebury]

63. K&R nt

[Indpndnt]

64. Love the photo and the story!

Thank you so much for posting them!

[msdarrla]

67. Beautiful story & Photo

Wonderful experience for this young man...I love Joe Biden. Obama/Biden 2012

[Diclotican]

68. Kadie

Kadie

He is a great man, your Vice President Joe Biden.. And he show it again and again, that he IS a great man... And I guess he also was feeling some emotions about it all. I have always liked Biden, for what he is, and what he stand for - and I also like the fact, that he say what he means - instead of what others want him to say for them..

I just hope, i pray for the fact, that US vote for Obama/Biden and not Romney/Ryan.. The last two would be a nightmare for the US, and for the world at large...

The first two, would at least be able to do something constructive for US and for the rest of the world.. And maybe turn the clock in many ways to a more civilized attitude for the whole world.. The world need GROWN UPS, not children in the white house...

Diclotican

[valerief]

70. Gulp!

[The Jungle 1]

71. wet

If my keyboard shorts out DU is getting the bill.

[Cha]

72. How Sweet! Kobe gets the value of our VP Joe Biden

and President Barack Obama! Thank you, Kobe!

Today, Kobe is signing up to spend the last 34 days of this campaign working as hard to re-elect President Obama and Vice President Biden as they are working for him. Follow Kobe's lead and sign up to volunteer now.

[SunSeeker]

73. Crap. He got tears on me too. All over my eyes.

[CALANN]

74. The Compassion Of This Campaign

Now this is what trickle down should be about! From President Obama and VP Joe Biden to the staffer that assisted Kobe. The grace and compassion from top to bottom it trickles down. What an amazing team.This is one of so many stories that we have seen from this campaign and from the last 4 years it warms me and I cry tears of joy.

[rateyes]

75. Joe 2016

The man is REAL! Love him!

[MindandSoul]

76. Great story! So glad for you, and thank you for sharing.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

77. Oh my, oh my

We need to be allotted thousands of extra recs for this one. I just sent it to about 40 people who like me, will be all teared up, too.

JOE

[lupinella]

79. K&R

This is beautiful.

[grantcart]

80. If you can't get excited about this election you may be in need of a heart transplant.

Very touching.

[Tigress DEM]

81. The Prez and VP get so much of our other reactions. Bet it was great for him to meet you too!

[Pied Piper]

82. Third time today I've read this thread

And there is still something in my eye.

[Kadie]

83. Same here.

Well, more than three times, but it still gets to me.

[allrevvedup]

84. Joe's up next: Thurs. 10/11

"The vice presidential debate will take place on Thursday, October 11, at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Martha Raddatz, Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent at ABC News will moderate the Vice Presidential debate."