David Corn: 4 Reasons Why a Biden Run Would Help Sanders

[99th_Monkey]

4 Reasons Why a Biden Run Would Help Sanders
It would give more Democrats permission to question Clinton's candidacy.
By David Corn * Wed Aug. 26, 2015 * Mother Jones

The politerati are getting a slight break from Trumpalooza these days, thanks to the Biden Bump. The veep has been actively discussing a possible presidential run with Democratic donors and strategists as he moves toward a final decision, and political handicappers have upped the odds that Biden, still coping with the recent death of his 46-year-old son Beau, will enter the fray. This has led to a torrent of speculation about what Biden will do and what a last-minute leap might mean for the 2016 race. Could it hurt the once-inevitable-but-now-email-burdened Hillary Clinton by providing Nervous-Nellie Democrats with an alternative? Could it help Clinton by offering her a more establishment-oriented sparring partner to vanquish—which would yield a positive narrative for her campaign?

The other day, Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent seeking the Democratic nomination who has drawn thousands to rallies and boomed in recent polls, was asked how a Biden bid would affect the contest. He characteristically pooh-poohed the question. "Politics is not a soap opera," he said. "What impact it will have on the race, I honestly don’t know. I mean, I wish I could tell you, but I don’t. Will it help or hurt me? Will it help or hurt Hillary Clinton? I just don’t know."

Yet there are several reasons why a Biden run would be good for Sanders.
* Slicing up the pie. The most obvious benefit is a matter of basic math: If Biden is in the hunt, the establishment Democratic vote will be split. ~snip~
* Hey, look over there. A Biden-Clinton showdown would draw great media attention. ~snip~
* Permission to abandon ship. At the moment, there's only one establishment candidate in the race. ~snip~
* A longer free ride. The Clinton campaign so far has not blasted Sanders. It has watched warily as he has risen in the polls, but it has not fired at him. Team Sanders, though, does expect Clinton to confront the (possible) Sanders threat at some point. With Biden in the mix, Sanders may get a pass. ~snip~
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/08/4-reasons-why-biden-entering-race-would-help-sanders

[MADem]

1. Is David Corn, or the Mother Jones editor, having a laugh?

Look at the pic accompany that piece:




I think Biden should listen to Tom Harkin.

[99th_Monkey]

2. Yes, it's a weird pic for sure.

I actually don't think Corn's argument is very convincing, but I'd like to think it's true; esp. if Biden jumps in.

[Garrett78]

3. Slicing up the pie

Because Biden and Clinton are so similar, the slicing up the pie argument seems valid, though I still don't expect Sanders to be the nominee. Corn's other reasons seem weak at best.

[99th_Monkey]

4. I pretty much agree with you. nt