CLARKS SUMMIT, PA. --Larry Orr, Tom Bell, and Joe Biden go back, way back.

"Joe Biden's the same guy now he was 50-60 years ago when I met him," said Orr, a childhood friend.

"Since I was a teeny child all I can remember is remembering him. Since I was in kindergarten, knowing him. We sat right next to each other, because he's B-I, I’m B-E, Bell and Biden," said Bell.

Since those early days the two have seen their friend rise through the political ranks. From the county council in New Castle, Delaware, to the U.S. Senate and now possibly the number two guy in the country.

Even though Biden moved away from Scranton at an early age, his close childhood friends say it's almost as if he's never left. It’s one thing they admire about him; saying he hasn't forgotten where he comes from.

"He'd come back in the summer. We picked up right where we left off. That gang was all there. He never did forget his roots," said Orr.

"He always remembered his friends, he never forgot us. When Charlie got sick Joe Biden drove up several times from Delaware to visit him in the hospital, this is a U.S. Senator saying to like Gorbachev, ‘hold on there Bub I'll be back, I gotta’ go visit my friend Charlie,’” Bell said.

Orr and Bell both describe Biden as someone who's exceedingly loyal, honest and fearless. They have no doubt that Biden will be a real asset to the ticket.

"Barack Obama is a very lucky guy and I don't know Obama at all. He doesn't realize what a terrific choice he made. When he grasps the full view and full idea of Joe Biden, he will be stunned. When he's elected he'll become a much better man than he is today because he will have the example and advice of a guy like Joe Biden. I can't prove that, but I can tell you this, I know it will happen, I’m certain," Bell said.