[Drolefille]

For Biden, he hasn't seemed to migrate far from middle class, IMO. But of course you "can" trumpet it, whether or not it means anything will reflect in your other statements.

For example the whole "house" thing. Yes I know McCain answered the way he did likely out of not wishing to get the answer wrong, his wife's rich, they own a lot of property, but that disconnects you from people who hardly hang on to a house because of financial crises. Obama's recently earned is way into wealth via his book sales, but still talks about his childhood as a formative experience.

I don't think you can "rely" on it, but as long as you're not trying to downplay your childhood (silver spoon?) you probably get more milage from talking about it, even if everyone doesn't buy it.