Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. was uncharacteristically at a loss for words this morning as an introduction from Steelers' owner Dan Rooney brought back memories of a bright interlude in a painful time.

On a campaign stop at Greensburg Salem High School, Mr. Biden was introduced by Mr. Rooney, whose presence reminded the vice presidential candidate of the tragic December 1972 accident when his wife and daughter were killed and his two young sons seriously injured in a car accident shortly after his election to the Senate.

Mr. Biden paused, wiped his eyes and, at one point turned away from the crowd for a long moment, as he told a story of his vigil at the sons' hospital room. He said he had left his sons to go out and buy a Christmas tree. When he returned they each had an autographed football.

"My one little boy was in traction the other little boy had a serious fractured skull, and they were happy ..."

After pausing, and wiping his eye, he continued.

"I said guys, 'Where'd you get the balls.' He said, 'Dad, Rocky Bleier gave it to me.'

"Mr. Rooney's dad, without any fanfare, without an announcement, without anything but this incredible decency ..." He paused again, and as the crowd applauded, said, "I really apologize. I shouldn't have tried to do this. ... It's a hell of a family."

The poignant anecdote was followed by a more prosaic campaign pitch in which the Delaware senator portrayed his ticket as guardians of taxpayer interests in the current bailout talks that have cast doubt on the scheduling of the first presidential debate Friday night.

In a speech that also ranged over issues affecting senior citizens, Mr. Biden faulted Mr. McCain as an advocate of the privatization of Social Security. He also criticized the Republican team for advocating an end to the tax exempt status of employer-paid health benefits. He characterized the change as a huge tax increase of middle income Americans. Mr. Biden did not mention, however, that that benefits proposal was coupled in the Republican's health care plan with a tax credit designed to allow people to purchase insurance coverage on their own.