As Biden Weighs a White House Run While Enjoying Yet Another Vacation, Democrats Tell Him "Take Your Time, Really Think It Over, Pop-pop"

Joe Biden visited St. Croix in 2019 -- shortly before announcing he would run for president in 2020.

From CNN:

The first couple arrived in St. Croix on Tuesday, along with family members, a gathering of the tight-knit clan who, according to several people with knowledge of recent conversations who have spoken to CNN, have now pledged support for another White House run by Biden. Senior administration officials once viewed this week's tropical escape as a crucial juncture that would play a major part in deciding his political future, and -- while the president does still plan to mull with his family the pros and cons of mounting a reelection bid -- people who have discussed the matter with him lately say the decision is essentially made.

But Democrats are telling Pop-Pop to take some more time to think it over some more. It's almost as if Democrats are hoping the Actuarial Clock will run out on Joe Biden and spare them the drama of a contested primary.

Biden can and should take his time considering a reelection campaign and a potential announcement, according to attorney and former aide to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Christopher Hahn.

"Most Americans think the presidential election starts way too early," the Aggressive Progressive podcast host told the Washington Examiner. "A decision by early March is completely appropriate and in line with most modern incumbents. Should he choose not to run, others have all the time they need to mount a campaign."

Middlebury College political science professor Bertram Johnson agreed with Hahn's "early spring" time frame, although he conceded that internal deliberations conclude sooner. Biden, himself, previewed, "it would be early next year we make that judgment" during his post-midterms press conference.

"Fundraising and anti-coordination rules become stricter once you officially announce, so it is at least legally advantageous to delay the official paperwork at this stage," Johnson said. "My sense is that after the 2022 elections, Biden's hand has been strengthened with the Democrats in Congress and nationally, so he may have more freedom to decide at his own pace as a result."

Biden announcing a 2024 campaign at the outset of 2023 "seems a bit early," compared to many of his predecessors, presidential historian David Pietrusza echoed.

"Three presidents bowed out fairly late," the prolific author said. "[Calvin] Coolidge on August 3, 1927, [Harry] Truman [on March 29, 1952] after the New Hampshire primary. [Lyndon Johnson] on March 31, 1968."

Biden has insisted it is his and his family's "intention" to contest for the White House again. But if Biden decides against seeking a second term, he should postpone that announcement, too, to avoid appearing like a so-called "lame duck" president, Pietrusza advised.

"[Theodore Roosevelt] announced he wasn't running again in 1908 on election night 1904," he added. "Big mistake."

But Christopher Hahn disputed that too, reasoning that Biden will have "no problem" getting his appointments through the Senate. (Especially given the Republican "opposition.") And therefore, Biden can just say he's not running without losing any leverage.

It's as if Democrats don't want him to run or something.

posted by Ace at 03:00 PM

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