Throughout this Democratic race, many have speculated that Joe Biden, current Vice President, would announce his run for presidency this year. However, after the recent loss of his son, Beau, to brain cancer, it became possible that he would cease any plans to run. Despite this, he is still being included in all the polls, where he is shown in a rather favorable light. It is highly likely that if he were to run, Clinton’s support would be divided. If he were to decide not to run, it would add to her support, pushing her far ahead over the rest of her competitors.
With President Obama by his side, Biden made his announcement that he has decided not to run for president in 2016, saying that he missed his window of opportunity. In his speech, he spoke about the America he would like to be president of, urging politicians not to undo everything Obama has done under his presidency. He would not forget the middle class, and talked about cutting tax breaks for the wealthy. He wants 16 years of free education for students, saying that 12 years is no longer enough. He would triple childcare tax credit to help families, specifically in the middle class, which would result in more women in the workforce. Specifically, he said that he would like to be the president that cured cancer, which took his son from him this summer.
As a seeming attack on Congress, Joe Biden asked: “How does this country function without consensus?” He added that this country cannot take four more years of division between the houses. He made a point to say that he is not giving up on his current position; he will continue work hard over the next 16 months. He did not specify if there was a specific candidate he is endorsing.
So, what does this mean for the Democratic Party, and the election as a whole? Biden’s decision not to run is going to likely give Clinton an even bigger lead in the polls. She is now given an even greater shot of becoming the first female president. As far as the election as a whole, it is likely that it is going to be yet another Bush/Clinton election, despite Trump’s lead in the polls. While Bernie Sanders is doing much better than previously expected, there is still the stigma around being a Socialist, and in all reality, this is what is hurting Bernie’s campaign most of all. But a lot can happen in a year. Nothing is truly set in stone.
Words by Casey McGourty