At the inaugural reception earlier this afternoon, Vice President Joe Biden proved he still has the ability to go off script.
As various speakers–including President Barack Obama–stood behind the room’s podium to offer toasts, Mr. Biden offered a heap of praise on Mr. Obama before quickly announcing his toast would instead go to one of his former colleagues in the U.S. Senate, New York’s Chuck Schumer.
“I’m proud to be Vice President of the United States, serving as Barack Obama’s vice president,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s one of the great privileges of my life. As a matter of fact, if the president will forgive me, as we were walking out–and as he said, savoring the moment–looking out at the crowd and all those Americans assembled. I … turned him and said, ‘Thank you. Thanks. Thanks for the chance. Thanks for the chance to continue to serve.'”
Mr. Biden then veered off course.
“So folks, I raise my glass to a man who never, never, never operates out of fear. [He] only operates out of confidence,” he continued. “I’m toasting you Chuck. A guy who I plan on working on working with. You can’t get rid of me, man. Remember, I’m still part of the Senate! God bless you, Chuck.”
Mr. Schumer, who chaired the committee on the inaugural events, next took to the podium as the crowd chuckled with laughter.
“The best parts of these events are unscripted,” he quipped.
