Posted on 03/12/2019 10:20:16 AM PDT by yesthatjallen
Former Vice President Joe Biden will run for president in 2020, a senior Democratic lawmaker told The Hill on Tuesday, a move that will shake up the crowded Democratic primary field and make him the clear front-runner for his party’s nomination against President Trump.
“I’m giving it a shot,” Biden said matter-of-factly during a phone call with a House Democratic lawmaker within the past week — a conversation the congressman recounted to The Hill and interpreted as a sure sign that Biden will run in 2020.
In the brief phone call, the former vice president asked if he could bounce some campaign strategy ideas off the lawmaker and invited the lawmaker to sit down with him in person in the near future. Biden also said he hoped to have the lawmaker’s support, something the lawmaker did not commit to.
Biden responded that there was no harm if they keep talking, according to the lawmaker who spoke to The Hill on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the phone conversation.
Biden did not share any details about when or where he planned to make his formal presidential announcement, the lawmaker said. Biden and his wife, Jill, just returned from vacation in St. Croix in the Caribbean, where they reportedly discussed potential pitfalls and began finalizing their plans, The Associated Press reported.
Biden spokesman Bill Russo refuted the idea that the former vice president is absolutely running: “He has not made a final decision. No change.”
But at an event with firefighters Tuesday morning, Biden teased a 2020 presidential run as the crowd chanted, “Run, Joe, run!”
“I appreciate the energy you all showed when I got up here,” Biden told an energetic crowd at the International Association of Fire Fighters' annual conference in Washington, D.C. “Save it a little longer, I may need it in a few weeks. Be careful what you wish for.”
His entry into the race has been largely expected. In recent weeks, the 76-year-old Biden has been laying the groundwork for what would be his third and final presidential bid, seeking support from Democratic donors, lawmakers and others in his political circle.
Biden, who served as President Obama’s vice president for two terms, also has a team of campaign aides already assembled for the moment he decides to launch a White House bid, which is expected in early April.
Senate and House sources said Biden has been reaching out to allies on Capitol Hill with increasing frequency in recent weeks, having conversations about what his potential candidacy would look like. Biden, Democrats said, has talked about how he could win in the primary, making the case that a growing Democratic field would work in his favor and that, because of things like his blue-collar appeal, he would be the strongest candidate to beat Trump in a general election.
Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), the former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, has been speaking to Biden regularly and urging him to jump in the race. Richmond said he believes that Biden is “95 percent” committed to running and has been coordinating calls between Biden and other members of Congress. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said he has been informed that he’s on a “call list” and Biden should be reaching out soon.
we’re in shock s/
America needs you Joe.
Stand up, Joe!
OH NO!
Not that!
Please don’t run Biden against us!
You can do ANYTHING, just don’t run Biden against us- we’d sure be scared if you did!!!
You’d think soroznazi would find a far more sale- able candidate/ puppet to run. They’ve got nobody so far — watch for a surprise newcomer— probably from Hollywood or sports — with an established fan base
Go for it Joe while Neil Kinnoch is still alive. See you behind the gym Joey.
Now that there’s no guarantee Killary will whack him.
Women and children effected the most.
Trial balloon. I doubt he will actually do it. Too many skeletons in his closet to run against Trump.
If dat Joey Biden run against da Trump, it over, ah tell you. Caint no one beat Big Joe, no way!
Ok who left the attic door unlocked?.
Skeletons don’t matter in the Dem world. Just look at Hillary....
Compared to the rest of the menagerie, Crazy Uncle Joe looks sane.
I shall alert the media. This will be Hugh news.
Groper-in-Chief.
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