Biden and Boehner's SOTU bromance in 5 adorable photos

For the first time in five years, Vice President Joe Biden will have a new seat buddy for what will be President Obama's final State of the Union address. But the retirement of Rep. John Boehner surely has everyone wondering: can House Speaker Paul Ryan fill the camaraderie void left by Boehner?

Sure, you could chalk these chummy photos up to beltway etiquette, or Biden's ability to befriend any warm body he can pull into a side-arm hug, but I think there's more to this bromance than meets the eye. Enjoy this rare showing of partisan affection. Lauren Hansen

The Week

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Lauren Hansen produces The Weekâ€™s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.