It’s no wonder Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. feels like he’s been reduced to a living, breathing punchline .  

According to a handful of Californians, the man who is currently a heartbeat away from becoming commander in chief could just as easily be mistaken for a Republican, a terrorist or a supporting character from “Pineapple Express.”  

Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel uncovered the utter lack of name recognition that dogs the VPOTUS by posing a simple question to Los Angelenos: Who is Joe Biden?  

“He’s like the assistant president, or something,” was the best this civics-challenged sample of the population could come up with.  

Biden is out west raising money for the party, and is expected to roam around the city later today.  

To wit, if L.A. wants to get to know the ′Vette-loving Delawarean a little better, somebody ought to open up a Capriotti’s ASAP.  

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