Vice President Joe Biden declared to CNN that he’s just doesn’t “get the feeling that the odds makers are giving,” stressing, “We’re going to keep the Senate.”
“I’ve been in 66, 67 races all told,” Biden said in a nod to his political sixth sense.
If Dems do lose the Senate? “Well, I don’t think it will change anything in terms of what we — what we’re about. We — we know we have to get done the last two years, and quite frankly, going into 2016 the Republicans have to make a decision whether they’re in control or not in control, are they going to begin to allow things to happen, or are they going to continue to be obstructionists? And I think they’re going to choose to get things done.”
The veep said that a GOP majority doesn’t change the way the White House does business.
“I don’t think we have to change. I think we have to be — I think we have to be more direct and clear about exactly or what it is we’re looking to do,” Biden said. “And look, we’re ready to compromise. I think they’re going to be inclined, because the message of the people, and I’m getting it all over the country, is they’re tired of Washington not being able to do anything.”
Biden stressed his multiple Senate runs. “And one of the things I know about Senate races off years and on races, and on years, the same as governor’s races, is it’s all local. It all gets down to what the specific issues in that — in that district or that state is. And each senator makes a judgment about whether or not it will be — he thinks it’s helpful or hurtful,” he said of Democrats eschewing campaign help from President Obama.
“Look, we’ve been seeing this a lot. There are lots of places where first term, second term, George Bush didn’t show up, the older Bush, Reagan. I mean, you know, every state is different. And look, here’s the deal. If you look at every single major issue in this campaign, the American public agree with our position: from federal support for infrastructure to minimum wage to marriage equality, every single time.”
Biden opined that “the public is concerned and frightened because it’s a frightening world.”
“I think the public should not be as anxious as they are, but it’s understandable why they are. There is no existential threat to the United States right now. There are fewer than five cases of Ebola in the entire United States of America,” he said. “We’ve got to figure out — we, the president and I, have to figure out how to better communicate exactly what’s being done. That’s part of the problem. That’s part of the dilemma.”
About the race for the White House in 2016, Biden said “there’s plenty of time to make that decision.”
“I mean, look, everybody talks about how, you know, everything is going to be done by the summer. And I don’t see that at all. I’m confident and if I decide and I haven’t made a decision,” he said. “…If I run, I’m confident I will be able to mount a campaign that can be financed, and it will be credible and it will be serious.”
Biden said he’d “absolutely” run if Hillary Clinton does.
“That’s not the reason not to run or to run. The question is,am I convinced I am best positioned of anyone else to lead the country the next four years?” he said.
“That’s a decision I have to make… but I honest to God have not made up my mind. It’s just that basic, that simple.”
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