How a kid from Scranton became Senator, VP, and now a possible 2020 presidential contender

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How a kid from Scranton became Senator, VP, and now a possible 2020 presidential contender

Joe Biden

Mark Makela/Getty Images

Joe Biden has long straddled the line between presenting himself as an accomplished, career politician and a cool, down-to-earth dad.

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Former Vice President Joe Biden said on Monday that he is "not closing the door" on running for the Democratic ticket in the 2020 presidential election.

He certainly has reason to be optimistic - throughout his eventful life and political career, Biden has overcome enormous obstacles to get to where he is today.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on November 20, 1942 to a used car salesman, Biden moved with his family to Mayfield, Delaware when he was 13 years old. From the get-go, he faced many trials growing up, including bullies and an embarrassing stutter.

As he says his father taught him, "The measure of a man is not how often he is knocked down, but how quickly he gets up."

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Throughout his long political trajectory, Biden has lived by his father's advice, and gotten back up after facing countless tragedies and challenges to achieve his political dreams.

Here's how a kid from Scranton became a respected Senator, Vice President, and now possible 2020 presidential contender: