Biden Pledges Loyalty to Firefighters Who’ve Been By His Side

ABC News’ Paul Fidalgo Reports: In the longest speech of the day, Sen. Joe Biden D-Del., made his pitch to the International Association of Fire Fighters by pledged his loyalty and reflecting on the many times fire companies have come to his aid.

"In every single critical moment of my life, you guys have been with me," said a jacketless Biden in an emotional tribute to the firefighters who had saved his sons’ lives when he lost his wife and child in a car wreck in 1972, and saved his own life when he suffered a near-fatal cranial aneurism in 1988, on top of saving his burning home years later.

"You took care of me in the worst times of my life, you literally saved the lives of three Bidens, and maybe four, and you did it like you always do it," said Biden, "never expecting to be thanked. . .risking your life and your reputation to get me there."

"Some of you are real horses’ asses," added Biden, wryly, to knowing chuckles.

Biden told the firefighters that after 9/11, "you firefighters literally lifted America off their knees.  You became the symbol of the grit and determination of the United States of America," but lamented that "five years later, that sense of obligation, responsibility, and commitment has begun to fade. All of a sudden you’re just regular again."

Making clear his support for the firefighters and their union and hoping for their endorsement, Biden exclaimed, "There is a middle class for one reason. . organized labor!" and later added, "the need for us to change the law. . .to guarantee you get a fair shake is about fifty years overdue."