Joe, Jesse and 'Stromboli' (from the Charlotte Observer Campaign Tracker Blog)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2007

Joe, Jesse and 'Stromboli'

Democratic Sen. Joe Biden had just wrapped up a campaign appearance in Rock Hill Monday when he walked over to introduce himself. When I told him I worked for the Observer, his smile turned serious.

"How's Jesse?" he asked.

You might not think Biden, a moderate-liberal Democrat, would have much in common with the conservative Helms. But over a 30-year Senate career, he counted not only Helms but Sen. Strom Thurmond among his good friends. And not just in the bloviated Congressional sense.

Speaking at York County Democratic headquarters, Biden spoke warmly about his friendship with former Sen. Fritz Hollings and said he "learned an awful lot from that other fellow, 'Stromboli'."

more.... http://campaigntracker.blogspot.com/

political rivals were often very good friends, even if they disagreed vehemently on political issues. I was just reading about the close friendship between Goldwater and Humphrey, polar opposites in the senate, but lifelong friends. Things certainly have changed and not for the better.

for taking it to heart and incorporating that philosophy into his life.