The smoke signals emanating from the White House can now be clearly seen as far away as Chappaqua, New York:
If Vice President Joe Biden seeks the Democratic nomination to succeed President Obama, the president is confident Biden can juggle his day job plus a national campaign. “Vice President Biden is certainly somebody who has demonstrated throughout his career a willingness to work overtime, and that likely would be something that would be required” if he decides to enter the race, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Monday.
“I wouldn’t speculate at this point about how he would do that or if any changes would be necessary” inside the White House, Earnest told RCP. Biden, who ran for the White House and lost twice, continues to mull his options and has not announced a decision. He will not take part in the first Democratic candidate debate Oct. 13 in Nevada.
Well, third time’s charm, as the old saying goes…
Campaigning as a sitting vice president carries distinct advantages, but also liabilities. For example, Biden would be perceived by many voters as a qualified and experienced heir to continue Obama’s unfinished agenda, but he would also be linked to every Obama policy decision since 2009, including the unpopular judgment calls, including those with which Biden may have privately differed.
If he embarks on a national campaign, Biden would mix official duties assigned to a vice president – and in his case, Obama has relied on his No. 2 for everything from outreach to workers and employers, to alliances with world leaders in international hot spots – plus political barnstorming in early states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Biden has carved out an influential public persona during the Obama presidency, but has also been faulted for being an enthusiastic, if undisciplined, public speaker from time to time.
Pass the popcorn.
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