What Is Taking Joe Biden So Long?

[Gothmog]

I agree with this article that Biden is standing by as a failsafe for the party http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/09/joe_biden_is_taking_a_long_time_to_decide_about_running_for_president_is.html

What is the vice president doing? He’s running as the backup. “Biden is running for Clinton’s understudy—as the candidate who will go on at the last minute, if necessary, if she’s unable to continue for any reason,” explains political scientist and Bloomberg columnist Jonathan Bernstein. He grants that it isn’t clear that this is what Biden is thinking, but he thinks it is what’s happening.

The Democratic Party, or at least its establishment, needs a B Team—a candidate and a campaign to run if Clinton can’t. Sanders doesn’t fit the bill, and Martin O’Malley—who sits near the bottom of the polls, with 1 percent—isn’t visible enough to meet the challenge. Biden, the sitting vice president, is the natural choice. And so he does the work: He talks with lawmakers, sits with officials, meets with donors, and builds the skeleton of a campaign, with enough muscle to move if necessary. In the meantime, he’ll enjoy the attention of media and supporters. After all, it’s nice.

So long as there is no implosion in the Clinton campaign, I doubt that Biden will get into the race. If Biden does get in, he will be the nominee

[rug]

1. I don't think his heart is in it.

[SheilaT]

2. What rug said.

He may also be basking in all the attention, a very human sort of thing. But I sincerely doubt he has the heart to run, especially so soon after the death of his son.

[hifiguy]

6. I agree with you both.

[valerief]

3. That's exactly what he's doing. The PTB can't allow an earnest populist candidate to

steal the New Dem thunder.

[Juicy_Bellows]

5. No they can't and we can't let them!

Go Bernie!

[panader0]

4. Just the fact that he's so undecided seems like a disqualifier to me.

If he did eventually run, I think voters would be hesitant to back him because of the lack of fire in his belly.

[monmouth4]

7. He's being coy. I hate that....n/t

[HereSince1628]

8. If he comes in and threatens Hillary it's gonna be attack of the PUMAs

That would be pretty ugly for Biden and it could be a disaster for the New Dems.

I think he'll hold out until he cannot. I think it'll be a matter of trick-or-treat.

He has enough name recognition to miss the 1st Dem debate. But he'll need to act by about Halloween, as some time will be required to get the paperwork done to get his name on the NH ballot and the deadline is mid Nov.

We've waited about 3 months, waiting another one isn't a big deal.