In all my discussion for the race for the Democratic nomination for President, I have never even mentioned Joe Biden, as I hadn’t the slightest inkling that he had any inclination to run. However, recent events indicate that I (along with virtually everyone else) may have been mistaken, and if Joe does run, it will change my order of support for candidates.
Joe Biden’s team appears to be leaning more towards a presidential run than away from one, according to a Democratic source who has been in touch them. This source doesn’t believe a decision has been made but left a conversation with those advising Biden with a strong sense he very well might enter the race.
Biden has been told by aides he should make a decision by October 1st.
A possible plan — if he decides to run — currently involves Biden announcing his intentions in the first week of October, the source said.
Speculation about a Biden run was sent into overdrive when he met Saturday with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, the progressive icon whose decision not to run herself was a major boost for Clinton.
And on Monday, President Barack Obama’s press secretary, Josh Earnest, praised Biden’s "aptitude for the job" and said it’s possible that Obama will endorse a candidate in the Democratic primary… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <CNN>
Rachel Maddow reacted to the story and provided more evidence.
If Joe does run, I think the campaign will turn very ugly, because Hillary will be going for blood.
Now my list of candidates in order of preference is this: Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, any stray dawg, Jim Webb. Bernie just echoes my positions on most subjects. Of the best known candidates, Joe is far more credible as an opponent of plutocracy than Hillary, as some think she is just giving lip service to class warfare, while raking-in Bankster bucks.. I actually prefer Martin O’Malley’s policies, but I don’t think he can win a national election until people know who he is. Webb could probably pull Republican votes, because electing him would be like having a Republican in the White House.
23 Responses to “Is It Time for Joe?”
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I cannot fault your logic in terms of the candidates and I'm told Joe sees the major campaign issue being financial inequality. He also has more of the naturalness when interacting with the public that is so appealing with Bernie.
One additional thought, if he does declare than Clinton will not be able to avoid income inequality as the defining issue and will have to do far better than she has thus far on that issue (e.g., distancing herself from the wealthy and Wall Street on key issues where she hasn't yet).
Good point. On the other hand, staying out may be better for his family.
I agree–not an easy decision no matter which way it goes.
I was kind of hoping this wouldn't come up for speculation quite this fast. I read somewhere that Jill Biden said he was absolutely not considering it, which she might not have said, or even if she did, it could be defensive.
TC, you say you think the campaign will turn ugly before the primary, because Hillary will be going for blood, and you certainly have a point. But have you thought about how ugly it would turn if he gets the nomination? Look at what the current crop of Republicans are doing now to Jimmy Carter, and you will see what I think we could expect. Joe, like Jimmy, is a decent, honest, caring individual with a great deal of integrity. That in itself turns Republicans into a bunch of sharks that smell blood in the water. They see integrity itself as a weakness. They do realize – so far – that they can't get away with saying that publicly. They jumped on Carter's work for peace and stigmatized everything good he accomplished as weaknesses. They are still doing it even though they no longer have anything to gain from doing it. Biden has a reputation for gaffes. They will not be satisfied with real gaffes. They will take everything he says and make it into a gaffe. They will make up gaffes he never said and claim he said them. Do you remember the claims of Tyrone Woods' father after Benghazi? I remember vividly, and also remember vividly that Tyrone's mother denied every word that his father plastered all over Glenn Beck's show. They will bring that lie up gain, along with everything else tht occurs to them.
I am fully with you that after Bernie, Joe Biden would be my second choice for President. For President. For candidate, I am not yet convinced. I don't like blood baths.
Which is why he isn't declared probably–the bloodbath. I wish I could believe they'd run out of bathwater during the primary…
They'd never run out of blood. They'd just suck more from their base if they so much as thought they might sun short.
too true
The Republucans cannot turn ugly, for the same reason that the Pope cannot turn Catholic.
This could be a good thing for all the candidates on the Democratic side. It would let them vent about all the things that Pres. Obama has done and really show their stripes! Hillary will loose points on that subject. And Bernie will come out ahead! He can get thru to those who are on the fence!
We'll just have to wait and see! It is still 13 and Ahmad months till the election! Anybody can still get in the race. And if Joe gets in there, Humptrump will be brought DOWN a peg or two when he goes after Biden!!!!!
I have no opinion on Joe Biden, because in the almost seven years he's been in office as Vice President he's made no impression on me whatsoever. I even forget his name most of the time, but that may say more about how terrible I'm with names than about Biden. However the fact that I've little recollection of what he's done these past years may be indicative of where I'd place Biden on my preference list, which is after Bernie and before Hillary. If Hillary goes for blood if Joe Biden decides to run as you say, TomCat, I think that'll be good for Bernie but bad for Hillary and Joe will be crushed between them.
But let's wait and see if Joe decides to run or decides he's not up for the battle that surely will ensue.
Well I think Biden deserves jump in if he wants.(Biden is a good man. He is honest and will stand up for the middle class and I would not matter who or what you are.) But I am not sure what this is about? I know the right has been trying to make Clinton look like she is as much as a liar and is hiding something as we all know they are. Maybe the Democrats are becoming a little paranoid? I think they should just stand 100% behind her. But if Biden runs I would but him ahead of Clinton. So Clinton or Biden. My number 3 would be Sanders. I am almost 95% sure it will be a Democrat will be in the White House in 2016.
Congrats, Mama!
I really like Joe Biden, but I agree with Joanne. The Right will stay after him and use every word he says to make him look dumb, when he isn't. Bernie is still my first choice, but I will vote for whomever gets the nomination.
The latest news on Joe Biden: Text & VIDEO
Updated 4:51 PM ET, Tue August 25, 2015 | Video Source: CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/24/politics/joe-biden-obama-blessing-2016/
Washington (CNN)Vice President Joe Biden received President Barack Obama's "blessing" to make a 2016 bid for the White House, according to a senior Democrat.
"But that's if Biden chooses to run — the decision is his. While he doesn't need the President's permission, of course, a potential presidential candidacy was among the topics of their lunch Monday at the White House. The President made clear he would not stand in his way or counsel him against a run, the senior Democrat said."
A few years ago, I did some reading about Biden and very distinctly remember on picture of him with very dark hair. Some of his background is very much like Elizabeth Warren's . . . middle class, struggling family, education. I like Biden and have more confidence in him than in Clinton. Bernie is still my #1, not that I get to vote. I wonder if he and Warren talked at all about her being his running mate if he wins the primary?
Running mates are not selected until the point of Nomination.
Fun reading the comments. I'm pretty much on the sidelines at this point.
Bernie is the only one I have the "Put-Up-a-Yard-Sign-Out-Front" enthusiasm for – but I'm very, VERY concerned he couldn't win in the general. And we absolutely, positootly need a Democrat in the Oval Office come 1/20/2017
I like Joe, but his age and "Gaffe Machine + Antics" are a hindrance.
I like Hillary, too. At this point I think the "email scandal" has proven to be just a big Nothingburger. Until the Rethuglicans can produce a verifiable Smoking Gun, I think she'll weather this Teapot Tempest just fine.
For over two decades now she's been vetted to the "nth" degree. And while there are numerous instances where she could've handled it better (and who can't say that about themselves), there's been no "there" there.
Like I said, I'm sitting onthe sidelines for now – but will work hard to get a Democrat – whoever it is – come 2016. It may be hackneyed, but I think our nation's very survival quite literally depends on it!
Amen to a Democrat (except Webb) in the Whitehouse!
Amen to that!
I really like Joe Biden but I don't think he will throw his hat into the ring. His wife is averse to the idea because it is so grueling and they are still in mourning over the loss of Beau. People say he made a "death bed" promise. I just don't iknow. I would definitely support him if he ran and got the Dem nomination but I'm still pulling for our man, Bernie.
Feel the Bern!
Thanks all. Bear in mind that I never said that he should run. When I see side-by-sides of what the presidency has done to Obama, I wonder if Joe would survive it.
I thought the same thing.