Not long after Vice President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he would skip the 2016 presidential race, would-be opponent Bernie Sanders saluted his former Senate colleague as “a good friend [who] has made the decision that he feels is best for himself, his family and the country.”
“I thank the vice president for a lifetime of public service and for all that he has done for our nation,” Sanders said in a written statement. “I look forward to continuing to work with him to address the major crises we face.”
At first glance, it might appear that Biden’s decision would bolster Sanders’ candidacy. After all, what unconventional upstart would want to compete with a political juggernaut boasting establishment support and the ability to attract a diverse coalition of supporters?
Perhaps the kind that’s already facing another political juggernaut boasting establishment support and the ability to attract a diverse coalition of supporters: former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
As former governor Howard Dean’s 2004 campaign manager, Joe Trippi, explained to the Washington Post in August, that year’s unconventional upstart, Dean, had something going for him that Sanders does not.
“We faced three establishment Democrats, not one,” Trippi said. “John Kerry, Dick Gephardt and John Edwards were three strong candidacies that were splitting the vote and donor support of the party establishment in 2003.”
With so many plausible mainstream contenders in the race, Dean was able to pass his rivals in early polls with just pluralities of 30 percent or so in many states.
“Sanders faces a completely different problem,” Trippi said. “No one is splitting the party establishment with Hillary. She has it all to herself.”
A Biden candidacy would have done just that. The veep would almost certainly have drawn the support of many party insiders, donors, elected officials and operatives. No doubt some of them would have come off the sidelines, but others would have defected from Team Clinton — particularly if her candidacy continued to falter.
As the New York Times‘ Nate Cohn pointed out Wednesday, polls have shown that Biden did best among moderate, nonwhite and older voters — in other words, Clinton’s natural base.
“With Mr. Biden out, Mrs. Clinton is positioned to consolidate a key combination of elite support and moderate voters,” Cohn wrote. “The evidence of Mrs. Clinton’s gains could start to trickle in almost immediately, since she was the second choice of nearly all of Mr. Biden’s voters in public opinion polls over the last month.”
Biden’s decision isn’t all bad news for Sanders. Had the VP joined the race, he would have stolen some of the limelight enjoyed by the Vermont senator in recent months. Without him, Sanders remains the chief alternative to Clinton, which means he’ll continue to draw headlines and can continue to spread his message to those unfamiliar with it.
Also, just because Biden’s not running doesn’t mean he won’t make mischief. In his freewheeling Rose Garden speech Wednesday, the non-candidate inveighed against the rise of big money in politics — a theme of Sanders’ campaign. And he took some not-so-veiled shots at Clinton, particularly her remark at last week’s Democratic debate that she considers the GOP to be the enemy.
“I don’t think we should look at Republicans as our enemies,” Biden said.
Perhaps Clinton shouldn’t look at Biden as her friend.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
Dean already endorsed Clinton, so why listen to his spin? GO Bernie!
Poor headline, once again Paul, you love to twist the facts. Biden’s decision not to run will have little impact on Bernie Sander’s supporters. Better for Bernie if Biden doesn’t run. And Biden is doing the right thing.
‘We Love Bernie’ Progressive Social Network to Mobilize Real 99% Movement!
Inspired by Bernie Sanders and his message about taking back America for the 99%, the social network offers the bells and whistles of Facebook where users can post profiles and photos, promote their organizations, books, music, artwork, films, documentaries and other items of interest to this community.
Join the Progressive Revolution here: http://welovebernie.net/
As usual, as per all and any topics covered by 7Days, useless rubbish and simple op-ed pieces over and over and over and… read: “This isn’t the news,” that you are reading… just opinions and thoughts and blah-blah-blah.
Once again the Bernie zombies lash out at any article that isn’t pure cheerleading for the Dear Leader! How dare a journalist express an opinion suggesting that this wasn’t a great day for Vermont’s favorite carpetbagging Brooklynite? How dare he not write an article that only showers glory on the gun-loving Senator from Denmark?
Dean endorsed……freakin Clinton!!!??? Me no like. Under no circumstances will I vote for Clinton, ZERO. If it comes down to Trump vs. Clinton (please no) I will write in for myself so I can blame everyone else for the next disaster since I see them as unique, but equally horrible choices. PLEASE let it be a battle of the Bs… Bernie vs Ben would be the best “no lose” scenario available in this field. BOOM! I have spoken let there be silence now. 🙂
A Biden run would have hurt Sanders if Sander’s support was the “not-Hillary” vote, but Sanders has a following of his own. Nevertheless, Sanders does benefit from Biden sitting on the sideline because it is now a 2-person race, and the media will have to focus on Sanders to make it interesting. Earned media is money saved for battles down the road.
“A Biden run would have hurt Sanders if Sander’s support was the “not-Hillary” vote, but Sanders has a following of his own. Nevertheless, Sanders does benefit from Biden sitting on the sideline because it is now a 2-person race, and the media will have to focus on Sanders to make it interesting. Earned media is money saved for battles down the road.”
Wow. Can you say, “spin”? We will believe anything — absolutely anything — to pretend that reality is not reality.
1. Biden enters the race: that helps Bernie.
2. Biden DOESN’T enter the race: that helps Bernie.
3. Whatever happens: that helps Bernie.
Good grief.
Bernie got into politics in the Mayoral race way back when. Another 3-way would have been his only chance in the Biden=Clinton “big leagues”.
C’mon folks, let’s get real. Head to head with Killery, he hasn’t a snowballs chance… His message does get out and she may lean a little further left to accommodate, but she has her own agenda and if elected, her campaign leanings will slither away like the snake she is.
Save yourself that 20 bucks you were gonna send Bernie, he ain’t gonna win. Sorry to break it to you.