A Joe Biden Run for POTUS in 2020 Makes Sense on Some Levels
Will Joe Biden run for a presidential bid in 2020? That’s the chatter among the Beltway’s punditry elite. We take a look at an array of sources to piece together the likelihood of a Joe Biden 2020 campaign initiative.
Looking at the broader context of Biden’s experience in politics, there’s little doubt of his qualifications. He’s the quintessential “career politician,” having been involved in politics since 1970. He’s been re-elected to the Senate six times (Delaware), and served two terms as Vice President under Barack Obama. If Democrats seek an experienced hand to counter the four years of “off-the-cuff” leadership of Trump, a Joe Biden presidential bid 2020 makes sense.
There’s also the fact that Biden was a long-serving member and former Chair of Foreign Relations Committee. Undoubtedly, he’s a seasoned veteran regarding the nuances of foreign relations. This may become increasingly important should America finds itself embroiled in war. The war drums keep growing louder in places like North Korea. Should America engage in lasting action, voters may look to Biden as the “anti-war” candidate; someone who may be able to diffuse tensions and build bridges with foreign adversaries.
Biden doesn’t come without considerable baggage, however. He’s twice failed in previous Democratic presidential primaries, unable to muster much support. He’s also considered an insider’s insider among D.C. politicians. While that has its benefits (i.e. fundraising), President Trump was elected precisely because he was a political outsider. Voters, in general and on both sides of the aisle, are tired of the corruption, graft, and insider profiteering rampant among Beltway insiders. Unless the pendulum swings dramatically the other way, Biden’s massive D.C. resume may work against him in 2020.
At this point, it’s unclear whether we’ll see a Joe Biden run for president in 2020. But that won’t stop the speculation. Here’s what some of the media chattering classes and Biden’s inner circle are saying about the issue.
Factors Against a Joe Biden Run for President in 2020
Joe Biden 2020 age: 78. That’s an important point when you consider no other president has been inaugurated after the age of 70. That honor belongs to none other than Donald Trump, who supplanted Ronald Reagan (69) as the previous eldest president. Joe Biden would be almost a full decade past that point. Invariably, some voters might question his suitability of mind, even if no health issues have been uncovered.
The desire for new blood. That’s an important potential wildcard factor working against Biden. While his grizzled-veteran stature may be an attractive contrast to Trump, the fact is, the plurality of Americans have rejected Obama’s brand of liberal politics. Not just the presidency mind you, but in the House in 2014 and the Senate in 2016. As such, primary voters may view Biden as a “risk.” A risk that a defeat similar to the one experienced by Hillary Clinton may lie in store.
Although the brightest up-and-coming Democrat leadership candidates are relatively inexperienced POTUS material, they do offer a different perspective. Kamala Harris, Keith Ellison, and Deval Patrick all offer the possibility for turnover the Democratic National Committee (DNC) desperately needs to woo a broader audience. Primary voters may even opt for a sympathizer outside of party circles, like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The key takeaway is that if voters seek new blood within party leadership, Joe Biden will be at a decided disadvantage. I see a distinct possibility the party will seek a new direction.
The loss of eldest son, Beau Biden. As anyone grieving the loss of a son or daughter can attest, rebounding from hardship isn’t easy. Even years later. It’s unclear whether Biden can muster the strength to be able to regain the laser-like focus needed to become POTUS. Death has a way of sapping personal motivation and will in some people. Could Biden be content to live out the rest of his life in peace as a private citizen? Or would he be willing to go through the meat grinder of a presidential run?
Factors in Favor of a Joe Biden Run for President in 2020
Intimate family members think Biden may be running. According to Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley, a Joe Biden 2020 presidential run may be in the cards. Ashley told Women’s Wear Daily, “If he is in good health, knock on wood, and seeing what the landscape is at the time, yeah, I think he is considering it.” (Source: “Joe Biden’s daughter says ex-VP considering 2020 run,” CNN Politics, September 8, 2017.)
Ashley noted, however, that Biden has not made up his mind yet. His focus is with working on various charity foundations; some linked to the loss of Biden’s eldest son, Beau. It was Beau Biden’s death on May 30, 2015, that swayed Joe to sit out a 2016 presidential run.
Name and money recognition. Joe Biden 2020 would be a known entity. His Rolodex is easily one of the largest on Capitol Hill, and he’d have no shortage of political donors to back him up. The rest of the field is fractured, with a consensus pick yet to emerge. Biden would easily have the most political allies and fundraising ability should he enter the race.
Biden’s personality is a complete 180 from Donald Trump. He’s known for being a self-deprecating, witty, good-humored public figure, which is completely different from Trump.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, a common theme bandied about was the “presidential disposition” of Donald Trump. Many felt (and still feel) that Trump doesn’t portray the right “tone” as commander-in-chief. This rubbed many voters the wrong way.
Biden would not present such challenges. He’s more a non-partisan politician, preferring inclusiveness over conquer-and-divide politics. He’s someone who can reach broad policy consensus with Democrats and establishment GOP politicians alike.
But the key takeaway is the optics Biden presents. After four years of Trump, primary voters may believe an affable soul like Biden stands the best chance to sway American voters.
For Trump detractors, 2020 can’t come soon enough. Trump has been every bit the disrupter conservative voters hoped for when he was elected last November. Many conservatives hope Joe Biden will run in 2020, believing an “insider’s insider” has no chance of winning in an age of guerrilla politics. But that remains to be seen.
If Democrats decide to nominate the most contrasting Trump candidate around, Joe Biden might be their man.