This post was updated at 2:22 PM ET.
Hillary Clinton released a statement calling Vice President Joe Biden “a great man” shortly after his Wednesday announcement that he will not be entering the 2016 presidential race.
Clinton commended Biden for his “passion for our country and our people.”
“Like millions of others, I admire his devotion to family, his grace in grief, his grit and determination on behalf of the middle class, and his unyielding faith in America’s promise,” Clinton wrote. “I am confident that history isn’t finished with Joe Biden. As he said today, there is more work to do.”
She voiced a similar sentiment earlier on Twitter, calling Biden “a good friend and a great man.”
The possibility of a Biden run has haunted the Clinton campaign for months, as the Vice President has consistently ranked high in national polls of likely Democratic voters.
Though the two worked closely together during Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State during the Obama administration, Biden took a few pointed shots at Clinton during his announcement speech in the White House Rose Garden.
“This party—our nation—will be making a tragic mistake if we walk away or attempt to undo the Obama legacy,” Biden said, with President Obama at his side.
Clinton has broken with Obama on several issues important to his administration, including coming out against the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and opposing the Keystone XL pipeline.
Hillary Clinton Responds To Biden Announcement: He’s A ‘Great Man’,
Phew , that was close , I was having nightmares of a 2008 repeat
In the last debate Clinton very pointedly aligned herself with Obama.
Other than the “Republicans are not my enemies” comment, which was before he decided, I think Biden’s comments are aimed more towards Republicans than Clinton.
“…to the best of my knowledge.”
That really burned me when she said that about Obama in 2008.
When did Obama approve the Keystone pipeline?
Hillary, you really need to win it now! There’s no net! Hillary in 2016!