Vice President Joe Biden told Democratic leaders in a phone call Wednesday that he was weighing whether he has the “emotional fuel” to run for President, according to CNN.
CNN got audio of the call, in which Biden discussed the recent death of his son, Beau, who reportedly urged the vice president to run.
“We’re dealing at home with … whether or not there is the emotional fuel at this time to run,” Biden said, according to the channel.
The conference call with members of the Democratic National Committee was closed to the media and billed as an opportunity to discuss the Iran nuclear deal, according to CNN.
“If I were to announce to run, I have to be able to commit to all of you that I would be able to give it my whole heart and my whole soul, and right now, both are pretty well banged up,” Biden said on the call, according to CNN.
If Biden chooses to run in 2016, he will be the sixth major candidate competing for the Democrat nomination. A decision is expected in September.
Anyone feel like, if Biden runs, chaos will happen on the Democratic side?
I don’t know if I do…not sure how likely he is to win.
I don’t think having another viable contender means chaos. It means that people feel they have some choice in the matter and so will engage. There are many people who accept Clinton only because there is no one else perceived as a viable general election candidate – not because they are enthusiastic supporters. I know this discounts Sanders, but really – can he win the General election? As much as I like him, I don’t think he does. And we can’t afford to lose this election – and that is the only reason why I think Biden is even considering a run at this difficult time in his life.
What gets me about this entire election is the fact that it reads like the 2008 election. Everyone said Clinton was going to win and Obama could never win the General Election and yet that isn’t how it played out. I’m not necessarily sanguine about Sanders’ chances in the General, but I think that they are far better than anyone thinks they are.
If Joe is questioning whether he has the “emotional fuel” to run it means he doesn’t have it at this point.
I really like Biden, and I think that he would do a great job. I am not sure that he would be a terrific candidate, but I think that he could pull it through in the General Election.
That being said, I just don’t think that he should do it. If he is questioning himself at this point, I just don’t see him having what it takes to make it through what will be a really bruising campaign.
After all of these years, I think he should get some well-deserved rest and enjoy his family. He has given more than enough to our country, and I think that the party should look elsewhere for additional strong candidates.