Marion Steinfels, a public affairs consultant, was Joe Biden's deputy communications director during his 2008 presidential campaign. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. View more opinion at CNN.

(CNN) I'll never forget the first time Joe Biden got a little close. Not long after joining his 2008 campaign for president, I found myself on a small plane with him traveling from a town in Iowa to O'Hare International Airport. Just as the plane started taxiing, he grabbed hold of my arm and became very animated.

Marion Steinfels

I was caught off guard and, honestly, maybe a little uncomfortable for a moment. He told me a story of a time in high school when he was supposed to go to a big dance. His shirt needed cuff links, but he had none. He was devastated until his mother ran to the toolbox and got two nuts and bolts that would do the job.

As the plane hit its cruising altitude, what was happening became clear. Someone had told him about my terrible fear of flying, and he was trying to distract and reassure me and, in a way that did not make me feel condescended to or silly for having such a fear. That is who Joe Biden is.

In the midst of an incredibly tough primary campaign for president, he was always aware of those around him and their needs. I saw it throughout the campaign and, quite frankly, sometimes it made me a little crazy.

Why was he worrying about whether I was driving by myself through a snowstorm to get to an event we were having the next day? Why would he try to grab our bags when we, as his staff, should be carrying his? He was a presidential candidate for goodness sake!

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