John Kerry: “It is hard to imagine, at least for me it is hard to imagine, the Senate without Joe Biden--at least as a Senator on the…”

“It is hard to imagine, at least for me it is hard to imagine, the Senate without Joe Biden--at least as a Senator on the floor, in the thick of the fray. That is not just because he came here as a kid, so to speak, not just because he chaired some of this institution's most important committees, but it is because of this particular moment that we find ourselves in, in the country. This is the kind of moment Joe Biden loves to be in the middle of, legislating. Obviously, we take a very special pride in knowing that one of our own is about to become Vice President. While this makes him President of the Senate, for once I actually wish Dick Cheney was right and that Joe was still a part of the legislative branch. But, make no mistake, the Senate's loss is President Obama's and the country's gain. Joe will bring a terrific strategic thinking and legislative experience to the challenges we face. This is a special moment in so many ways, and it is an emotional moment. I have known Joe since we were both kids, in terms of this journey, since we first ran for office in 1972.”