Isn't Biden sort of jumping the gun?

[election_2004]

I didn't watch his announcement this morning, but did Biden formally declare his candidacy, or did he simply announce that he intends to run in 2008?

Don't serious presidential candidates usually wait until after the midterms, and then form an official exploratory first, BEFORE actually announcing that they're running?

This makes me wonder if Biden is actually a serious candidate? Or if he's just doing this as some publicity stunt, or for some other strange reason that isn't apparent quite yet?

I mean, there are important U.S. Senate races to be won in PA, MT, MO, and MN in 2006 (Bob Casey, Jon Tester/Mike McGrath, Robin Carnahan, Patty Wetterling/Amy Klobuchar, respectively).

If Biden wants to travel the country and gauge support for a possible candidacy, that's his prerogative...but am I the only one who thinks it's a little bit inappropriate for ANYONE to be announcing a presidential candidacy this early?