Joe Biden Said to Be Taking New Look at Presidential Run

[onehandle]

Source: New York Times

[img][/img]

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his associates have begun to actively explore a possible presidential campaign, an entry that would upend the Democratic field and deliver a direct threat to Hillary Rodham Clinton, say several people who have spoken to Mr. Biden or his closest advisers.

Mr. Biden’s advisers have started to reach out to Democratic leaders and donors who have not yet committed to Mrs. Clinton or who have grown concerned about what they see as her increasingly visible vulnerabilities as a candidate.

The conversations, often fielded by Mr. Biden’s chief of staff, Steve Ricchetti, have taken place in hushed phone calls and over quiet lunches. In most cases they have grown out of an outpouring of sympathy for the vice president since the death of his 46-year-old son, Beau, in May.

On Saturday, Maureen Dowd, the New York Times columnist, reported that Mr. Biden had been holding meetings at his residence, “talking to friends, family and donors about jumping in” to challenge Mrs. Clinton in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two nominating states.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/us/politics/joe-biden-white-house-2016-presidential-campaign.html

[DonCoquixote]

1. while I can symapathize

And love Joe Biden, I know this will cause a civil war. Hillary will have to attack Biden, thereby attack Obama, or at the very least fore Obama to abandon Joe for Hillary, which will only pour crap all over the Obama Legacy.

[StevieM]

6. I don't think Biden will run, and I would prefer that he didn't. But I can't imagine that scenario

playing out.

In the end, Clinton and Obama are both Democrats and she agrees with most of what he has done. She isn't going to attack Obamacare, for example. Also, if she questions the economic progress that we have made then she is questioning the success of the Democratic model for economic policy-making.

I think all the Democrats will take the position that the country is much better off because of the last 8 years and that we shouldn't reverse course and let the Republicans back in so that they can restore the Bush philosophy.

[Attorney in Texas]

54. I also doubt he will run, and I would probably not vote for him in the primary, but I see no real

downside to Biden running.

Why do you prefer that Biden not run?

[StevieM]

56. Prefer might be the wrong choice of words. I'm just supporting Hillary and was hoping he would too.

I have nothing against Biden. I had been thinking that it would be a nice moment if he formally endorsed her. But obviously he has to decide for himself what he wants to do.

[Attorney in Texas]

57. Biden does not reflect my values as closely as Sanders and seems less electable than Clinton so I

cannot think why I'd want to see him as the nominee but seeing him as the nominee is not the same as seeing him as a candidate. Plus, I would feel a bit sad to see Biden, as a sitting VP who has a long career on the right side of many issues, polling in third place, and it seems like that might probably happen because I suspect that I am not alone in perceiving Biden as weaker politically than Clinton without offering the ideological alternative that Sanders provides (who is Biden's core constituency - Democratic Establishment voters who do not like Clinton and are too conservative to consider Sanders as an alternative but too liberal to fall within Webb's camp?).

With that said, I am confident that Biden would run a positive and respectful campaign and so I think his voice would be welcome.

Even if he does not run, I don't think his endorsement would help Clinton for a couple reasons. First, I think Clinton suffers a little from the perception that she is Party's "pick" contrasted against Sanders as the grassroots darling (but I don't think she suffers enough to jeopardize her standing as the strong favorite to win the nomination), and a Biden endorsement simply reinforces this unhelpful perception. Second, if the race becomes close (which seems unlikely), I suspect that Biden would likely follow Obama's lead and keep his thumb off the scale, and -- if the race never becomes close -- Biden's endorsement won't matter.

[AtomicKitten]

9. It's been reported he will let voters decide and support the nominee in the general.

Has Obama endorsed Hillary Clinton? No – he has lots of friends who may run

Hillary Clinton will not automatically receive Barack Obama’s endorsement in her campaign to be the next Democratic candidate for president, Obama’s spokesman said on Monday.

Obama and Clinton have “become friends”, the White House spokesman, Josh Earnest, told reporters at his daily press briefing, but an endorsement would be premature, given that other friends of Obama’s might also run for president.

“The answer to that question is no,” Earnest said, when asked if Clinton had a lock on Obama’s endorsement.“As has been speculated by all of you and many others, there are other people who are friends of the president who may at some point decide to get in the race. The president has not offered up any sort of endorsement at this point.”

Obama will support the Democratic nominee in the general election, he added, but will allow voters to determine who that will be.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/13/president-obama-hillary-clinton-endorsement-premature

[Reter]

44. I like when our candidates don't candyass each other

I enjoy disagreements, not being all smiley to each other.

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. I hope he runs. The more applicants we have, the better.

[bigdarryl]

15. Not really a major primary fight with the party in the WH

Is bad news that's according to Allan Lichtman of the 13 keys to the WH Biden should not jump in.I still think if he did Hillary would win the nomination but not win the General because of a major primary fight.People on our side think a healthy primary debate is good for us not true at all.Tha only counts as the party out of power which this time is the republicans.That's why I don't get all excited about the so called clown car as people call there side.It's a good thing for them to have a major fight for the nomination.

[Agnosticsherbet]

42. I disagree with Mr. Luchtman.

We had a major primary fight in 2008 and won. We are in one now. The Republicans are involved in mud wrestling.

[bigdarryl]

46. Lichtman has been right on every election since Reagan

As far as the popular vote.Even in 2000 he predicted Gore would win the popular vote.As.far as 2008 that was a completely different election.Hillary running against Obama and Edwards was a.good primary fight because they were the party (democrats)not holding the White House which this time Hillary running against Sanders and possibly Biden they the (democratic Party)holds the White House this Time around that's what happened to Carter in his reelection he had a.bruising primary fight with Ted Kennedy which split the Democrats in the.general.election.There were a lot of democats who voted for Reagan that's where the term Reagan democrats came from. It also happened in 1968 with the Democrats when President Johnson decided not to run for reelection Kennedy got in the race then was killed then McGovern jumped in the race and the party was in total disarray going into the general election.

[merrily]

55. There is disagreement as to whether Gore won the popular vote in 2000, but the popular vote

is not determinative of the Presidency anyway.

The notion that a primary cost Carter the election is just that: a notion.

Carter lost in part because Reagan was nearly unbeatable by anyone--with the possible exception of Ted Kennedy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12778872


Carter also lost because Carter's term had been plagued by many things and Carter Mondale did not run the best campaign. Moreover, neither of them was a match for Reagan.

The Kennedy run did not cause the weakness in the Carter run. However, Carter's weakness may well have been why Kennedy ran against Carter in the first place.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12778873

Ted Kennedy's personal charisma and Kennedy mystique in general may have been enough to defeat Reagan despite 1976-1980 and Carter's campaign, but Carter Mondale could not defeat Reagan.

We really need to examine these memes that encourage us to give up our primary vote--about the ONLY one we have that is even a little meaningful.

[bigdarryl]

62. He won the popular vote by 500,000 more votes than Bush what are you talking about

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/showelection.php?year=2000

[merrily]

63. Sorry. I was thinking of Florida alone. On that point, my bad and my apologies.

[lamp_shade]

4. From the NYT? I take it with a grain of salt. n/t

[bigdarryl]

16. NY Times hates the Clinton with a passion.

And would love to see her not get the nomination

[NYCButterfinger]

5. I hope Biden runs too. The more the better. Remember him in October 2008 in Liberty, Mo.?

Biden is a good attack dog and I can see him doing fairly well against Walker, Bush, Rubio. That stop in October 2008 in Missouri showed that Biden is a powerful speaker. He's 72, but he is one tough man, and is a good debator. Biden can give Hillary some trouble in Iowa.

[modestybl]

7. If I were suspicious, this is an attempt to help Hillary...

...by taking "populist" votes away from Bernie... the big swath of Dems who think it is time to elect a woman president will consolidate around Hillary and Joe and Bernie will split the "Progressive" vote. Joe will not be "in it to win it"...

[TBF]

13. Definitely not - I think it's a back-up for Hillary

in case there are health issues or something. Joe is a centrist who will not take votes from Bernie.

[jeff47]

18. He'd take a chunk of the "not Clinton" vote. (nt)

[TBF]

24. Most "not Clinton" are due to her policies -

and his are exactly the same.

The establishment sure is afraid of Bernie.

[Scootaloo]

27. As TBF notes, Biden and Clinton are mostly the same on policy

A Biden run would split Hillary's support because of that - especially those people who support Clinton because they see her as "heir to Obama." But it wouldn't be likely to attract people currently supporting Sanders or O'Malley, for the same reason.

Result? Three candidates wobbling and wavering around 30% each. Lovely horse-race material, I suppose.

[LynneSin]

70. Yes, that's what Beau Biden told his dad on his death bed

Please dad, you need to run for President to help Hillary in the polls

[kcjohn1]

8. This is good

Not that Biden is any better than Clinton. But at least the establishment will actually allow the primary process to proceed. Maybe they will set a debate date now that another establishment candidate is in the race.

The reason this is good news for Sanders supporters is that Biden must see something about Clintons candidacy to enter the race.

[silvershadow]

10. Nothing will change the outcome. The train has already left the station.

While he is welcome to try, I discourage it. Now is the time to join the gathering momentum.

[candelista]

67. You really think Bernie can get the nomination?

I don't. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party will never run a self-described socialist for President.

I like Bernie, but it's enough for me if he just gets his message out.

[99th_Monkey]

11. That's going to hurt Hillary way more than Bernie.

But I suspect one of the main reasons he's even considering running is that
Hillary's electability is becoming anything but "inevitable".

I like Biden a lot, but he's not going to sway me from supporting Bernie,
because I think Bernie is clearer about what needs to get done to reverse
our free-fall into Oligarchy and get our nation back to being a constitutional
democracy, among other things.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

12. I think it helps Bernie,

so I'm all for it!

[bigdarryl]

17. As I've said in my previous post this helps no one on our side

[TBF]

14. Joe/Hillary are both centrists (3rd way) -

this doesn't affect Bernie at all.

[jeff47]

20. It splits the "not Clinton" vote. That affects Sanders. (nt)

[Scootaloo]

29. Except that people support Sanders because of Sanders' policies and positions

The idea that support for Sanders - or any other candidate - is some sort of reflexive, thoughtless "anti-Hillary hate" is simply nonsense that assumes people not supporting Clinton are lesser people - less intelligent, less thoughtful, reactionary, hateful, and bigoted.

The assumption says far more about the people making the argument than those they are targeting with it.

[jeff47]

41. Many do. And some are mostly against Clinton.

It isn't reflexive. They just don't like her policies. That doesn't mean they like all of Sanders's policies (or O'Malley's).

[merrily]

52. There is an ABH vote. Question is, how large is it?

[restorefreedom]

37. saying something over and over

doesn't make it true. Biden is likely to draw most of his support from the current clinton supporters or undecideds. Very unlikely to take anything from Bernie or O'Malley.

[Ed Suspicious]

22. I agree, but Biden has a delivery that is very "Joe Regular Guy." I would definitely

want to have a beer with Joe Biden. I still vote for Bernie, then O'Malley, but I think Biden's down home folksiness will go along way toward peeling off voters who might have been swayed by Bernie's authenticity alone.

[TBF]

25. So he would be better at fooling people than Clinton -

nice strategy. And I really don't think it will work as people know they are getting royally screwed & Biden is a big part of the establishment that is screwing them. He represents banks/credit card companies in Delaware. That is as bad as Hillary & doesn't give the benefit of electing the first female president.

[merrily]

51. He was even more folksy in 2008 and yet more so in 1988.

[jeff47]

19. How would he "fit" into the race?

He's mostly a centrist, which is a space so dominated by Clinton I don't see how he'd get much support there.

O'Malley and Sanders out-compete him on the "populist" angle. And Webb/Chafee land is quite barren.

Other than splitting the "not Clinton" vote, I don't see how he'd maneuver into the race.

[Purveyor]

21. ABC NEWS: Joe Biden ‘Not Saying No’ to Potential Presidential Run

Aug 1, 2015, 5:35 PM ET
By RICK KLEIN

Vice President Joe Biden's political operation has entered a more active phase in recent days, with several moves being contemplated to clear the way for him to run for president should he choose to do so, two longtime Biden advisers tell ABC News.

The vice president himself has not authorized any specific moves, but nor has he objected, a signal Biden confidantes take as suggesting he's serious about potentially challenging Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

"He's not saying no," one adviser said. "This is his time to figure it out."

Among the potential moves are efforts to restart a moribund fundraising operation, launch a new political action committee, and find a way to channel the energies of a "Draft Biden" movement that's now not being led by Biden insiders.

One adviser said the new actions would roll out over the next 30 to 45 days, roughly tracking Biden's statement that he would decide on running by the end of the summer.

more...

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/joe-biden-potential-presidential-run/story?id=32827969

[Aerows]

34. I'd vote for Biden

and wouldn't feel the drudgery going to the polls that I know I will feel if I am forced to vote for Hillary.

I had a different opinion in 2008 - I supported her. Now, however? I have decided that we can have a better Democratic nominee.

[George II]

23. I really hope he doesn't....

...not that I wouldn't want to see him elected President, but he has no chance.

I know lots of people say this, but I really like Biden, I supported him years ago (forget the year, actually) when he was running but had to drop out because of the bogus "plagiarism" charge, and was disappointed when he dropped out.

He's gone through so much in his life, from his first wife's and children's deaths right after his first election as Senator, to his own brais surgeries in 1988, to the recent loss of Beau. Throughout that all he's remained positive and upbeat, and has had a truly impressive political career. I was thrilled when Obama chose him as his VP candidate.

With all of that, I'd hate to see him try and then lose.

[restorefreedom]

38. wow good to know it isn't just bernie

who "has no chance."

it is anyone but hillary.

got it.

[George II]

39. You Bernie followers just have a knack of dragging down a cordial, intelligent discussion....

....into the gutter.

Thanks.

[restorefreedom]

40. i am not one of the people

who thinks "so and so is a great candidate but the poor thing has no chance"

why don't we let the primary process work as it is supposed to?

"you bernie followers" ......ok if i am going to be referred to as a bernie follower as if it is an insult, may as well live up to it

yes, bernie followers......us horrible people who dare to challenge queen hillary's inevitability and are causing the poor dear to spend money and actually campaign with "everyday americans."'
...how awful for her

[merrily]

53. Your own Reply 39 certainly does what you complain of.

[LynneSin]

69. Maybe you should look at the polls. He has an amazing chance

Only reason he is late to the game is his son.

There has been plenty of polls that already show him doing competitively or even better than Clinton and Sanders.

He's ready and we Biden supporters are ready too. There is absolutely no reason he should sit out of this race. Biden was always planning to run but he put his family first. But this is what his family wants including his late son Beau Biden!

[awoke_in_2003]

26. I'd like to see it just because he is fantastic in debates...

That being said, I would still back Bernie.

[BooScout]

28. More shit stirring by the NYTs

They gotta sell those ads.

[Purveyor]

32. ABC and NBC are also reporting the same... Eom

[BooScout]

33. yes indeed....and BOTH refer to the NYTs story

See how it works? NYTs reports shit and others repeat it. It doesn't matter that it's wrong, just that it sells ads. EOM back at ya.

[Purveyor]

36. ABC did mention the Dowd article however they also

obtained come original quotes from the Biden camp as well.

That's how it works, indeed.

[LynneSin]

71. I'm here in Delaware and this movement is pretty serious

it was always coming, it was a matter of timing of when!

[darkangel218]

30. I hope he doesnt run.

He will only be HC version 2.

[libdem4life]

31. IMO...it signals some concerns about Hillary.

There are lots of skeletons...more than we know, perhaps. This is coming down to the 90% vs the 1% and the political chasm, regardless of party, is going to increasingly widen because Bernie is awakening the slumbering. It's like...now I know why I've not bothered to vote, but now there is a Huge Difference.

Joe jumps in the race. ., he's about establishment as much or more than Hillary. That is why I think the Democrats are sending in another candidate. Hillary's positive ratings are declining.

[Chemisse]

45. That's what I am thinking too.

He is a back-up establishment candidate, in case Clinton nosedives.

[sofa king]

35. He's been a great President of the Senate

Not all Vice Presidents gave a damn about that job, but Joe Biden has arguably made himself the most important person in the Senate as its energetic conductor.

He's really good at it. Really REALLY good at it. Like, good enough that Hillary should seriously consider asking Joe to remain as Vice President so that he can continue to use his unique cat-herding abilities.

There is no term limit for Vice Presidents, as far as I know, and nobody has made the position of President of the Senate so damned important before, either. So how about another eight, Joe? Please?

[candelista]

65. President of the Senate is a nothing job.

Senate majority leader is an important job.

[sofa king]

72. It used to be a nothing job--until Joe.

But Biden, himself a former career Senator and one of the experts of procedure and rules in the Senate, has redefined the position to a powerful one of organization, scheduling, and management of business so that an asshole loudmouth teabagger Senator no longer has the opportunity to disrupt Senate business.

If Joe sees that schmuck coming--and he always does--the schedule changes and the window for filibuster or other disruption closes before it ever opened. Unless the guy is a moron guaranteed to harm himself more than anyone else (ahem, how's Rand Paul doing after his little filibuster debacle?), then he gets his moment in the sun.

Joes position and power exists above the head count in the Senate, so it matters less that the criminals control it right now. Anything you have left is thanks in part to the President of the Senate.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

43. Bring on Joe! Clinton's campaign has been asleep at the wheel

letting the rightwing define her as corrupt and scandal-ridden.

The supposed draw of Clinton we were always sold is that she and Bill wouldn't tolerate attacks and would fight back hard.

Instead, we see zero surrogates going on TV (other than the perpetually lame and crooked Lanny Davis) and a candidate who hides from the media and public in a bubble.

And the simple reason is there is no defense on some of these issues. Not the "OMG! Ben Gazzie!!1!" nonsense the right is pushing, but the money stuff has merit. The Clintons have always been about donations and campaign dollars over principle (Remember the utterly indefensible Mark Rich pardon, orchestrated by Hillary's brother? The sell-out on "free" trade?)

If there is a defense, they aren't doing a good job making their case. Where the hell is Carville? Is Bill in hiding?

Hillary has decided to sleepwalk through the early campaign and, as a result, well on her way to becoming damaged goods if she doesn't get her campaign act together.

and, in a perfect world, he'd get to face Trump in a debate and would, without question, utterly destroy him.

Joe polls as well as she does against the GOP in match-ups and has higher favorables. He's the better candidate and should seriously be considered.

[libdem4life]

49. It sure takes the issue of Bernie"s age off the table.

[davidpdx]

47. I have mixed feelings about Biden running

First of all I love Biden and believe he is capable of doing the job. However, given Iowa is about six months away I wonder if he can put together and fund a campaign that quickly as well as draw the support he will need. If he were to get in the race, I'd have to wait and see what happens in terms of changing who I support.

[Oldenuff]

48. I wish he would just buy a recliner.

He's a great VP,but really,do we need another obstacle to getting Bernie elected?

[IHateTheGOP]

50. Notice how our candidates are all sane?

[candelista]

66. Biden? Click here.

http://www.nbcnews.com/watch/nbcnews-com/a-brief-history-of-joe-biden-gaffes-337489987777

I guess he's "sane." But there's some disconnection between his brain and his mouth. I'm not so sure I'd want him making impromptu speeches as Prez.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

58. Please!

I'm not saying he is my first choice, but I would never support Sanders or Hillary Clinton.

[BeyondGeography]

60. There are some things he would do better than the current candidates

Like defend the incumbent, which is good because he is not only well worth defending, we also saw in 2014 what happens when you run away from him.

Biden would also offer the most credible criticisms of the current Republican Party, having had a front-row seat for their destructiveness since 2009.

Finally, he would fill a much-needed personality void between the somewhat wooden frontrunner and her dour challenger from VT.

We really do need a deeper field, so I hope Biden goes for it. If he runs and loses, the winner will have more than a few good lines to steal and good lessons to learn.

[truthisfreedom]

61. I'm not feeling it.

Unlikely.

[cannabis_flower]

64. I can't forgive Biden. .

For his part in passing the hysterical reactionary Mandatory Minimum drug laws of the 1980's until he admits it was wrong and tries to do something about them.

[cbdo2007]

68. It's been obvious for about a year now that we're gearing up for a Biden/Clinton ticket.

It's all about odds and statistics.

Statistically, Biden has the best chance of any Dem winning by far. There really is no reason NOT to run him, based on that alone.

He and Hillary will join forces after the convention and she will run as his VP. Then, in 2020, Biden will choose NOT to run for reelection and Hillary will finally get her real shot.

It's funny, we all here are debating this like we have some rational say in it....but this is all being decided by the Dem power leaders, behind the scenes who already have this all scripted out and are doing whatever they can to take on the smallest amount of risk with the greatest reward. This year, Biden is the least risk, and the only reward we can hope for winning the Presidency again under such long odds.