Posted by Tina
In that quirky way that Joe Biden speaks, he announced today that he will not run for President of the United States:
As the family and I have worked through the — the grieving process, I’ve said all along what I’ve said time and again to others: that it may very well be that that process, by the time we get through it, closes the window on mounting a realistic campaign for president. That it might close.
I’ve concluded it has closed. I know from previous experience that there’s no timetable for this process. The process doesn’t respect or much care about things like filing deadlines or debates and primaries and caucuses.
But I also know that I could do this if the — I couldn’t do this if the family wasn’t ready. The good news is the family has reached that point, but as I’ve said many times, my family has suffered loss, and — and I — I hope there would come a time — and I’ve said this to many other families — that, sooner rather than later, when — when you think of your loved one, it brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes.
Well, that’s where the Bidens are today. Thank god. Beau — Beau is our inspiration.
Unfortunately, I believe we’re out of time, the time necessary to mount a winning campaign for the nomination. But while I will not be a candidate, I will not be silent.
Okay. So Biden will stump for the party instead. We can expect some of that quirky rhetoric in the background, just not out in front.
Joe didn’t endorse Hillary Clinton, the current front runner. He didn’t endorse Bernie Sanders or any other person in the field. This leaves a door open. Anything can happen in the months to come.
He did speak about the record of his party under President Obama. More quirky rhetoric:
We have a lot of work to get done over to the next 15 months, and there is a lot of — the president — there’s a lot that the president will — will have to get done, but let me be clear that we’ll be building on a really solid foundation.
But it all starts with giving the middle-class a fighting chance. I know that you in the press love to call me “Middle-Class Joe,” and I know in Washington that’s not really meant a compliment; it means you’re not that sophisticated, but it is about the middle class. It isn’t just a matter of fairness or economic growth, it’s a matter of social stability for this nation. We cannot sustain the current levels of inequality that exist in this country. (emphasis mine)
Wake up, Joe! You and Obama have been “sustaining the current levels of inequality” for seven long years! More of the same, Hillary or Bernie, would yield the same miserable result…or worsen the situation! If you were honest you’d admit that the Presidents progressive policies have created a deep chasm of inequality between the rich, who’ve done very well under Obama, and the growing numbers that share in the miseries of the poor. If you were honest you’d admit that this administration has sustained a policy of divisive politics that have torn at the fabric of the American experience. If you were really honest, Joe, you would admit that the leadership of your party is radical. The party under the leadership of sixties and seventies radicals no longer stands for the “average Joe” of the middle class but instead for the power elite both in business and in government.
Tell the truth Joe: America can’t afford another year, much less four or eight, of radical progressive Democrat attitudes and policies!
Your decision not to run is disappointing. I enjoy your quirky bon mots. Had you run and won the nomination, you would have made the election year of 2016 a lot of fun. Please, please do put yourself out there often as you stump for your party.
Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Uncle Joe wound up as Shillary’s VP pick.