【1988 Archives】

Joe Biden988 Archivesstill vice president for the next 17 days and with so little time left, he didn't disappoint during a big day on Capitol Hill Monday.

The new U.S. Congress was sworn in to office Monday, with Biden presiding over the Senate's ceremony and meeting with senators and their families. But when the vice president posed for pictures with the family of Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), something unexpected happened.

As the family lined up on either side of Biden, he became enamored with Burr's granddaughter, talking to her, making some noises, and leaning in for a quick kiss on the head -- until the young child ducked away from Biden's gentle attempt at affection.

But Biden is not a man to be so easily thwarted. As the family continued to stand for photos, he continued trying to entertain the little girl, both of them so distracted that the photographer had to get their attention to look at the camera. 

"We're having a conversation!" Biden exclaimed in defense and the baby added her own yelp of protest.

In less than a minute, Biden had won her over. But in case you need to watch that again, over and over, here you go.

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That was far from the only great Biden moment captured by cameras during the ceremony. He also took some time with the children of Washington Sen. Patty Murray, took a selfie and did a little wooing of Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley's wife.

But the next best moment was when Biden greeted a priest who was with Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) with, "Forgive me, father, for I have sinned" to much laughter in the chamber. And, of course, as the joke wound down, Biden immediately turned his attention to more children.

Savor all of Biden while you still can.

Video credit: C-SPAN

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