DENVER, Colorado (AFP) — Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph Biden shed a tear on Tuesday, as he thanked his Delaware state supporters for standing by him through his tragedy-scarred lifetime.
Senator Biden was in a reflective mood as he spoke to members of his home state's delegation, at the Democratic National Convention here.
"This is a great honor, this is a great honor to be nominated vice president of the United States," said Biden, who lost his first wife and infant daughter in a car crash just after being elected to the Senate in 1972.
"I am proud of it, I don't mean in any way to diminish it.
"But it pales in comparison to the honor I have had representing you."
Biden halted to compose himself, then went on to thank local party figures for helping him weather personal crises, which also included his recovery from two brain aneurysms.
"I apologise for getting a little emotional, my private life has been lived in the public arena," Biden said.
"I don't know whether I could have made it through a lot of tough times in my life without you guys," he said.
Biden is due to give his keynote address at the convention on Wednesday night. Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama is due to formally accept the nomination on Thursday.
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