Monday, August 25, 2008

Biden: Ranks 99th In Senate Wealth



(image via bbc)

In 2005, Senator Joe Biden was ranked 99th out of 100 in terms of Senate wealth. The United States Senate, regarded -- with the possible exception of the Council of Cardinals -- as the most aristocratic body in all the world, is chock full of millionaires. Biden isn't one. From McClatchy Papers via Bloomberg:

"Biden has taught law on Saturday mornings at Widener University since 1991. His income is his $165,200 Senate salary and $20,500 from teaching. In a 2005 ranking of the 100 senators for wealth, he was 99th. In other words, unlike most other presidential contenders, he isn't a millionaire.

"'He's not even close,' said David Wilhelm, who was Biden's campaign manager during his first run for the presidency in 1987 and is now a senior adviser to Biden.

"Biden comes across as 'a middle-class guy with middle-class aspirations, sometimes middle-class resentments,' Wilhelm said. 'I think it's something the folks inside the Beltway miss about him. But he's an outstanding retail politician with an innate ability to connect with folks.'

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