Many have long speculated about whether former Vice President Joe Biden might run for president in 2020. According to a report published Friday, that is almost certain to happen.
According to an exclusive from The Hill, Biden’s longtime advisors Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon have been holding meetings with potential campaign staff if – or when – Biden decides to make a run for the White House. Many of these candidates are reported to be longstanding Biden aides and those who worked in the Obama administration.
‘Ready to Go’
EXCLUSIVE: Sources tell The Hill Joe Biden is almost certain to enter 2020 race and has a campaign team ready to go https://t.co/sJP2qwUD6V pic.twitter.com/aM3NLllgEz
— The Hill (@thehill) March 1, 2019
“’Whenever the VP makes a decision, we’ll be ready to go,’ said one source with direct knowledge of the planning,” according to The Hill.
The story lists a number of names who would take prominent roles on Team Biden.
“Biden has yet to officially announce a White House bid. But sources close to the former vice president told The Hill earlier this month that he’s almost certain to enter the race.”
“Earlier this week, Biden said he was ‘very close’ to making a final decision,” The Hill reports.
Biden said recently during an appearance at the University of Delaware, “The first hurdle for me was deciding whether or not I am comfortable taking the family through what would be a very, very difficult campaign,”
And what does his family think about him giving it a go? “There is a consensus that they want me to run,” Biden said.
Speaking Tuesday in Delaware, Biden said, “I haven’t made the final decision but don’t be surprised.” https://t.co/zRSWUrkPxF
— WCBD (@WCBD) February 27, 2019
Biden vs. Trump
Biden would be one of the most formidable candidates in the Democratic primary, though his party’s extreme lurch leftward might create some obstacles for him.
Then again, as a former vice president, he might be the one moderate Democrat who can convince his party that if they want to defeat Donald Trump in 2020, they should choose him.
Biden is four years older then Trump. Trump is already the oldest president ever sworn into office, and would be the oldest of all time if he served two terms.
Age could be a negative for Biden, but he also might have the ability to appeal to working-class voters that were so instrumental in Trump’s victory in 2016. Compared to a Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, Biden could be more appealing to moderate voters as well.
Can the same voter coalition that elected Donald Trump in 2016 come together again in 2020?
It looks like Joe Biden intends to find out.