ICYMI: The Case for Joe Biden in 2016

Without Declaring His Candidacy, Biden Places Third in Iowa. The Bloomberg Politics/Des Moines Register Iowa Poll released Saturday suggest that Joe Biden is better positioned now for a credible run than he was in 2008. “Biden is the first choice for president among 14 percent of likely Democratic caucus-goers in a Bloomberg Politics/Des Moines Register Iowa Poll released Saturday. That’s up from 8 percent in May, a significant increase given that Biden is not a declared candidate. When likely Democratic caucus-goers are asked for their second choices, however, Biden leads the pack with 24 percent.” [Bloomberg, 8/29/15]

The case for Joe Biden to run in 2016. Biden’s “authenticity and from-the-gut middle-class politics” outweigh the potential arguments against a presidential run, according to the Washington Post’s Ruth Marcus. The issues of his age and career politician status “are surmountable issues — capable, even, of being turned to some advantage.” Biden can oppose arguments of his age and record by seeking a one-term presidency with a strong running mate and run to the left of Clinton. However, Marcus argues the campaign would benefit from a new voice, particularly Biden’s credible and alternative style: “Better for Biden to run as Biden — authentic, experienced, progressive but not too doctrinaire to cut a deal. If he has ideas for helping the middle class that are different from, or bolder than, Clinton’s, let’s hear them.” [The Washington Post, 8/28/15]