Accepting his renomination at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden countered recent Republican criticisms by asserting that most Americans were indeed better off than they were four years ago, but he acknowledged that life still paled in comparison to that one killer fucking summer in 1987. Dressed in a slightly ripped Lynyrd Skynyrd T-shirt, Biden tapped the top of an Icehouse tallboy, cracked it open, and then informed the 20,000 people in attendance that while the economy is no longer hemorrhaging jobs as it was in 2008, nothing, not even that little trip I took to Thailand in 92, could ever live up to the unforgettable months of June through August 1987, when the skirts were short, the brews were cold, and you couldnt walk 2 feet without stepping into some grade-A tang. Things are definitely better today than back in 08, but is this the summer of 87? Not a fucking chance, said Biden, reminiscing about his prime seed-spreading days, when he was a carefree 44-year-old senator cruising the Delaware boardwalks in acid-washed Jordache jeans and his pink Sonny Crockett blazer. Oh, man, that summer was one hell of a ride. Id take off the T-tops, pack a cooler full of happy juice, and drive down the strip blasting G N R. And it seemed like every night ended with a little skinny-dipping with one of those hot-to-trot lifeguards, continued Biden, making sure to reiterate that he was tan from head to toe. Didnt matter if they were legal or not. No one cared back then. Biden, who reportedly hitchhiked to the convention and almost didnt make his speech on time because of some business he had to take care of in Greensboro, briefly touched upon how the economy had been moving in the right direction in recent months. However, he emphasized the nation would never see another string of weeks like the run in 1987 when he got totally blitzed on his buddy Blazes deck nearly every night, tore donuts in the Food Lion parking lot after hours, and scored some primo seats for Great Whites Once Bitten Tour in Atlantic City. In addition to the all-night fiestas, Biden noted that the summer also included a welcome share of mellow nights spent passing a few jays around a beach bonfire with some real laid-back compadres. The babes back then were a sight to behold, said Biden, recalling one particular fiery redheaded number named Starla who showed [him] a thing or two about where to get hot and heavy on the beach without the cops noticing. They were everywhererollerblading in their tight little frosted jean shorts and bikini tops, or kicking back beachside with Van Halens 5150 blasting on the boombox. And with my Trans Am purring, I had the pick of the litter. You could almost see their panties getting soaked when Id rev the V8, Biden continued. Drilled a few holes in the muffler to get that rumble that really gets their juices flowing. Wasnt exactly street legal, but it got me down and dirty more times than I can count. While the vice president repeatedly referred to the summer of 1987 as bitchin and badass, he admitted the period was not entirely without hardship. Explaining that everyone played it real damn loose back then, Biden said he had a brief HIV scare and things were definitely touch-and-go for a while. Assuring delegates the incident blew over and it had been smooth sailing ever since, Biden informed the women in attendance that he was 100 percent clean and mean down there and that they were all free to inspect for themselves. Nothing will ever match 87, but that shouldnt stop us from at least trying to relive some of that magic, the vice president said before draining his third beer of the evening and tossing the crumpled can on the stage. So if anyone out there wants to keep that spirit alive, Im declaring it ladies night over at Ricos Cantina on Caldwell, and the Cuervos on Uncle Joe. Added Biden, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. 