Joe would protect the gains we’ve made with President Obama, and they are significant.
In a recent Quinnipiac University poll of three swing states, Vice-President Joe Biden fared as well as, or better than, Hillary Clinton in contests with the top GOP presidential candidates. The survey also showed that respondents believed Biden to be more trustworthy than Clinton.
If Joe Biden decides to enter the presidential race, he would upend the Democratic nomination process. So far, it is a contest between Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders. Joe Biden’s name recognition gives him some ability to take his time in deciding, though the Clinton campaign has raised about $45 million.
Vice President Joe Biden intensified his exploration of a presidential run by sitting down to a private lunch with Senator Elizabeth Warren. He put out feelers to request some time with Warren during the week prior to the meeting. They talked for over an hour about a wide range of issues, including the economy, the middle class, foreign policy, and campaign finance.
People close to Biden say that he needs to make a decision in the next month. Should he run, it is important he appear on stage for the first Democratic debate, scheduled for the middle of October. Only four Democratic debates have been scheduled before the Iowa Caucuses on February 1st.
Warren’s supporters, who make up a large chunk of the population, have so far been strongly attracted to Bernie Sanders. Sanders is campaigning on increasing regulations on large financial institutions, ending economic inequality, and expanding access to education and health care. His rallies are attracting tens of thousands of people. Elizabeth Warren’s influence on the campaign is clearly shown by the fact all major candidates have offered a plan to reduce student debt, which is an important issue for Senator Warren.
Historically, Senator Warren has criticized both Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton for supporting legislation making it more difficult for consumers to declare bankruptcy. In her 2003 book “The Two Income Trap,” Warren called out women’s groups who lavished praise on Joe Biden (because he had work on anti-domestic violence legislation), because he didn’t support legislation she thought would reduce predatory lending to women. She wrote,
“Senators like Joe Biden should not be allowed to sell out women in the morning and be heralded as their friend in the evening.”
The biggest difference between Joe Biden’s and Hillary Clinton’s campaigns would be style. Clinton is running a disciplined, if somewhat dreary campaign, focused specifically on her message, while simultaneously trying to do damage control regarding the email controversy. Joe Biden is more comfortable speaking to the media, and frequently departs from talking points, which periodically gets him into trouble. However, his willingness to speak genuinely presents an advantage at a time when Americans are supporting authenticity over politically correct perfection.
Joe Biden would be the logical choice for those seeking a “third term” for President Obama. Biden has been a part of almost every significant White House policy under Obama, from lobbying support for the Affordable Care Act to his current role of helping push through Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran. He was ahead of the administration in supporting same-sex marriage, months before President Obama announced his change of opinion on the issue.
