Having referred to himself for at least a decade as “Middle Class Joe,” Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden’s much higher income since ending his tenure as vice president runs the risk of cutting against a core message of his campaign that, unique among the candidates, he can connect with and represent ordinary people, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
While Biden indeed was often the poorest member of the U.S. Senate for much of his career in public service, since leaving the vice presidency he has enjoyed a significantly increased income and accompanying lifestyle, making millions of dollars from book deals and speaking fees that have ranged to as much as $200,000 per appearance, public documents show.
In addition to his primary residence in Delaware, he has also purchased a $2.7 million, 4,800-square-foot vacation house, as well as renting an exclusive home in Washington DC.
Biden released his tax returns in the past but has not done so since his last year as vice president. However, he has promised to release his current tax returns as part of this presidential campaign.
Since announcing his candidacy for the White House, Biden has stopped making paid speeches and is campaigning full-time, stressing his everyman pitch as a dominant theme.
It remains to be seen whether his changed financial circumstances will make those claims appear outdated and turn off voters, rather than attracting them.
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