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Signs Point to a 2016 Presidential Run for Joe Biden — No, Seriously

Jan. 22, 2013 9:30pm Jason Howerton

US Vice President Joe Biden walks along Pennsylvania Avenue during the parade following Obama’s second inauguration as the 44th US president on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC.AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Joe Biden in 2016? The inauguration is barely over but the vice president already is dropping plenty of hints that he might have another political act.

The Washington Post notes, “Biden is doing everything that someone who is planning to run would do. Everything.”

Biden packed his schedule with events and receptions attended by party stalwarts throughout the long weekend of inauguration festivities, stoking speculation he may be laying the groundwork to carry the torch from President Barack Obama. It comes after Biden played a prominent role in brokering a compromise on the fiscal cliff standoff with Congress and his work developing gun violence legislation following December’s deadly school shooting in Connecticut.

The next presidential campaign is a long way off and the Democratic primary chase will be dotted with plenty of “ifs,” most notably whether outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton decides to seek the nomination. Clinton, the former New York senator and first lady, remains the heavy favorite among party activists but several notable Democrats, including Biden, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, are said to be keeping their options open in case Clinton decides not to run again.

As vice president, Biden can stay in the spotlight and is no stranger to the demands of a presidential campaign after failed bids in 1988 and 2008. The former Delaware senator has racked up a long list of domestic and foreign policy achievements even as his occasional off-script moments have become fodder for Republicans.

“There’s a whole lot of reasons why I wouldn’t run,” Biden, who will be nearly 74 on Election Day in 2016, told CNN in an interview before the inauguration. “I don’t have to make that decision for a while. In the meantime, there’s one thing I know I have to do, no matter what I do. I have to help this president move this country to the next stage.”

Yet with his high-profile perch, Biden is doing nothing to tamp down the speculation.

Biden’s private swearing-in ceremony on Sunday was attended by recently-elected New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, someone who would be a potent ally in the state’s very important first-in-the-nation primary. Attendees at a Sunday afternoon reception at the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory said they noticed a lot of party activists from early voting states like New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina.

“We can always start the political calculations in terms of the number of delegates needed to secure a nomination. But let’s just say I see a number of superdelegates here as well,” Democratic strategist Donna Brazile told reporters following the ceremony.

Biden later dropped by the Iowa State Society Inaugural Ball, slipping up and telling partygoers he was “proud to be president of the United States,” prompting cheers. He quickly corrected himself, saying he was “proud to be vice president of the United States, but I am prouder to be … President Barack Obama’s vice president.” Laughing it off, he said, “There’s goes that.”

Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden react to the crowd at The Inaugural Ball in the Washington convention center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. Credit: AP

During the weekend, Biden attended a ball at the Kennedy Center celebrating the party’s Latino voters, who turned into a powerful voting bloc in November’s election. Biden called the Latino community “a decisive factor” in the election. “This is your moment,” Biden said. “America owes you.” Some party stalwarts said it was noteworthy that Biden asked Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina justice, to administer the oath of office.

Biden also attended a ball honoring environmentalists, sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation and other environmental groups, where he said the Obama administration was committed to confronting climate change. “I don’t intend to let these four years go by without getting a hell of a lot done,” on the environment, Biden said.

On Inauguration Day, Biden and his wife, Jill, walked part of the parade route, waving to the cheering crowds in a made-for-TV moment. At one point, the vice president even jogged across Pennsylvania Avenue to shake hands with “Today” show weatherman Al Roker.

Watch Biden work the crowd in the video below via PBS:

“It seems obvious that he’s going to keep that option open for himself and do the right things,” said Mike Gronstal, the Democratic leader of the Iowa state senate who attended the reception. Gronstal said Biden actively worked the room, thanking supporters for their help during the 2012 campaign. “It was very personal time,” he said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Biden met with members of the Democratic National Committee at a private reception after a DNC meeting, where delegates unanimously re-elected Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz to another term as chairman. A frequently played campaign theme song, REO Speedwagon’s “Roll with the Changes,” could be heard from outside the room and attendees said Biden thanked them for their work during the campaign and offered an upbeat assessment of the second term.

If Clinton decides not to run, Biden could draw upon good will from party activists, an ability to connect with regular folks and extensive campaigning in key states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida and Ohio. But he would also need to deal with personal poll numbers that rank below Obama’s and a propensity to commit foot-in-mouth moments in an era where political gaffes can quickly sink a campaign.

New Hampshire state Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, who was among the attendees at Biden’s Sunday reception, said it was “early to read into” Biden’s interest in 2016. But said there was “huge support” in the key primary state.

“He’s deeply admired and loved in New Hampshire,” Clark said. “Clearly Joe Biden occupies a key place in our hearts.”

Featured image via Getty

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (73)

satotbs
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 10:54am
Newsflash! Emperor Noblame-ahh’s white court jester does new comedy routine about becoming the King. I understand MSNBC’s spewing leg huggers call him “racist” within seconds of announcement, and then blame Bush for tricking the uninformed 99%. Sorry Joe, the performance will be cancelled by Mrs. Greenjeans, aka “WOB” and the Misandry Caucus. In other words prevaricators rule, not you fool.

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emh1701
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 6:51pm
On the positive side, we should win in 2016 because he will put his foot in his mouth at some point.

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Small World
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 1:49pm
Heart BURN !

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toledofan
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 1:03pm
Well one thing is for sure, SNL would have enough material to use for a decade. This goes to show how dumbed down the Presidency has become. It’s obvious that the best man for the job scenerio doesn’t apply, so, why not. Isn’t it just amazing how, Obama was just sworn in, and already we’re talking about a replacement. Amazing.

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truthnstuff
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 10:02am
Ole Joe is an icon of intelligence to the left. One of their best and brightest. The liberal left should more appropriately be named the stupids.

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geo01
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 9:02am
.
If Biden achieves the Presidency of the United States of America . . .
.
IT IS PROOF POSITIVE . . . that we HAVE FALLEN SO FAR
.
that we will never be great again. (probably to late already)
.

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DontStopBelieving
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:59am
And he should run with that other liberal kiss ass – crispy kreme – they’d make a dynamic duo

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Pat Alexander
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:50am
He is the wrong color to be elected with that few working brain cells.

That said, he is also too old. Elderly candidates haven’t been successful since Reagan.

In related news, 14 more comedy writers laid off this week….

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Jim in Houston
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:35am
So, let me get this straight, the dimocRat version of Ronald McDonald wants to run for president. That is the best joke I have heard lately!

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Katielee
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:05am
And I’m afraid the voters in this country will vote for him.

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Amazingoly
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:02am
Better suited for the Gong Show.

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PlanetReality
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:32am
washington keep counting on a sloppy brainless society!!!!!
And they r in for ever!!!!

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What the Heck
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 6:40am
You mean puppet man. Flub mouth. But, dmes will fot for a ass any time.

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betterpart
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 4:31am
One of the most dumbest men in the country who also can’t stand the sight of obama, quiet as it’s kept.

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LeadNotFollow
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 4:04am
NoBiden 2016.

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rafraf55
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 2:33am
Joe “Mr Magoo” Biden would have to have a team of ass kissers around to constantly remind him of, where he was speaking, what he was speaking about and the damn office he was running for.I really don’t think that the American Socialist Party, I’m sorry, I mean Democratic party would allow him to run, or Hillary either, once it comes out what an absolute fiasco she has been at the State Dept. The Dems will run a black female and a homosexual latino more than likely. They have to keep all the “TAKERS” happy , and on the government stipend slavery payroll of course.

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christhefanatic
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 2:06am
To quote myself’,”Okay, in 2008 a bunch of stupid people voted for Obama…Well, they didn’t know any better. But even stupid people have to buy gas and food and want a job. No one will vote for him again in 2012″.
In 2016 the democrats could run road-kill for president and it will win. Wouldn’t be surprised if it won “100%” of the vote.

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50Caliber
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 1:45am
Just watch the movie “The Shining.” It will give you a good idea what’s ahead, if America survives the other idiot.

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welovetheUSA
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 1:41am
Another wet dream for our devoted idoit.

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Politijack
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 12:36am
LOLJoebiden!

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OUT THE REGRESSIVES
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 12:33am
Der Schlikmeister will lobotomize Joe Biteme the first time he goes after Hitlery.

Oops, I just realized you can’t lobotomize someone without a brain.

DOH!!!

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conservatype
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 12:15am
Open letter to Slow Joe: Please, PLEASE, PUUUHHLLLEEEZZZ run for President. It would be wonderfully entertaining, then Joe would self destruct, then we would get the Presidency back. Surely a win win…….

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freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 11:48pm
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
Read this on the Web at http://patriotpost.us/editions/16368/

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Advection
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 11:46pm
Biden reminds me of Donald Pleasence’s character, Oracle Jones, in the comedy western, “The Hallilujah Trail”. The guy is supposed to be a wise seer, and everyone looks to him for sage advice, but in reality he’s just an old drunk con man. He gets so drunk by the end of the movie that nobody can understand him anymore, and he staggers around shouting “Ha-roar-har!”.

He’s Biden to a T.

I tried to find a video link but couldn’t. Sorry.

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Jake Dog2
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 11:33pm
It will be Joe Biden for Pres and Micelle O. for VP. Then poor Joe is going to have a nasty accident.

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