Obama, Biden praise each other, play golf

WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden ended the week praising each other and then playing a round of golf together.

Biden started the week by stealing some of the president's thunder when he came out publicly in favor of same-sex marriage. Obama expressed his support for gay marriage on Wednesday and the vice president apologized that day for getting out front of his boss on the issue.

But on Saturday, there was no sign of friction between the two. While introducing Obama at a ceremony recognizing the top police officers in the nation, Biden lauded the president's leadership in standing up to those who would take away collective bargaining rights from police officers.

"This man has been committed to law enforcement his entire career," Biden said. "He has never, never wavered from fighting to make sure you guys have the resources you need not only to protect your communities, but to protect one another, to protect your brothers and sisters.

"The president's commitment to law enforcement goes to his very core."

Obama responded by telling the Rose Garden audience he wanted to thank his vice president for his leadership on law enforcement issues.

"Everywhere I go, in every community, people see the track record and the legacy of Joe Biden's work when it comes to looking after law enforcement," Obama said.

Afterward, they headed out to Joint Base Andrews for 4 1/2 hours of golf.