(Photo by Erick Sanchez)

They came with aviators and giant cutouts of Joe Biden’s face. They held up signs that said “Don’t Pack, Joe” and “we’re all vice president in the Joe Biden Fan Club.” They called it a “Thank You, Uncle Joe” rally. And lo and behold, Vice President Joe Biden showed up.

Holding his own aviators, Biden strolled up to the several dozen who had gathered outside the Naval Observatory to thank him for his service. “It has been the honor of my life serving, I really mean that,” the vice president told the group to cheers.

Organizer Erick Sanchez said it was an opportunity for disheartened Democrats to remember their accomplishments.

“I was honored to be joined by so many fellow enthusiasts of this administration to honor the decades of public service that Joe Biden gave to this country. We owe a debt of gratitude to his work on behalf of working class families, women, the LGBT community, minorities, and so many others,” said Sanchez, still running off adrenaline from what he called an “incredible moment.” (You might also remember him as the guy who got Kenny Loggins to play his living room and led efforts to pressure Jose Andres into pulling out of the Trump hotel project.)

“There’s still a lot more that has to be done. We gotta give this other administration a chance too. This is the way democracy works,” Biden told the crowd, echoing President Barack Obama’s remarks after the election. “But I tell you what, we will have ice cream together. And by the way I’m not going anywhere. I’ll no longer be vice president … but I’m going to stay involved in the things I’ve always been involved in.”

Someone from the crowd shouted back: “Stay with us.”


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