Thaier al-Sudani / Reuters U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in Baghdad, July 3, 2010.

Someday there will be children’s books about America’s pearly toothed, hard-charging, heart-on-his-sleeve Vice President. Through his signature combination of heartfelt schmaltz and horrendous gaffes, President Obama’s right-hand-man has ascended to near-folkloric status. Biden celebrates his 70th birthday on Tuesday, having spent four decades of his life in national politics. For better or worse, here are some of his most memorable moments.

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