Joe Biden Will Meet Insiders Key to 2016 Dem Nomination

VP will schmooze 2016 superdelegates at DNC event

Vice President Joe Biden has made little secret of his interest in a 2016 presidential run. And shortly after he's sworn in for a second term as President Barack Obama's understudy, he'll take a concrete step toward seeking the Democratic presidential nomination himself in three years.

On Jan. 22, Biden and wife Jill will attend the Democratic National Committee meeting in Washington - rich with party "superdelegates" that could decide the 2016 nomination. An invitation to DNC members by DNC Secretary Alice Germond, obtained by Politix, notes that "On behalf of our Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz we are pleased to announce that Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will be joining us for a celebratory reception immediately following the DNC General Session."

Neither Biden nor President Barack Obama attended the annual DNC event after taking office in January 2009. But Biden's presence this time gives him an early jump on the 2016 contest.

That's because DNC members are automatic superdelegates to the 2016 Democratic convention. Unlike most convention delegates, the superdelegates are not selected based on the party primaries and caucuses. Instead, most of the superdelegates are seated automatically, based solely on their status as current or former party leaders and elected officials. Others are chosen during the primary season.

Superdelegates have played crucial roles in previous Democratic nomination fights. In the 1984 election, the major contenders for the presidential nomination were Sen. Gary Hart (CO) and former Vice President Walter Mondale. Each won some primaries and caucuses. Mondale was only slightly ahead of Hart in the total number of votes cast but won the support of almost all superdelegates and became the nominee.

In 2008, freshman Sen. Barack Obama used a superdelegate strategy to beat former then-senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Throughout most of the primary season Obama clung to only a narrow lead from delegates selected in primaries and caucuses. It seemed superdelegates would play a decisive role in selecting the nominee. That turned out to be a moot point since Obama was able to wrap up the Democratic nomination before the party convention.

Biden has twice sought the Democratic presidential nomination and come up short. He quit the 1988 race before primary voting began, in a plagiarism scandal. In 2008 he dropped out after finishing the Iowa Caucuses in the low single digits.

But Biden hasn't been shy about his 2016 ambitions. After casting his ballot on Election Day 2012, Biden was asked if this was going to be the last time he would vote for himself. He briefly replied, "No, I don't think so." Still, Biden will be 73 by the time the 2016 election season is underway, which may make it difficult to campaign against younger competitors.

And Biden's 2016 calculus of course has to factor in the future political ambitions of Hillary Clinton, the outgoing secretary of state. Clinton has said repeatedly that she doesn't plan a 2016 bid, though she hasn't issued a Shermanesque denial. If she declines to run other potential Democratic presidential candidates include Govs. Andrew Cuomo of New York and Martin O'Malley of Maryland, among others.

Politix reporting.

Who should the Democratic Party nominate for president in 2016?

[DerivePI]

Lenin

[vws]

I think that role has been assumed by Reid.

[kirbstomp1]

Lol if I was to pick a dem nominee it would be my dear friend Joe. I love his 'idgaf' attitude. Malarkey. I mean what can you say, who doesn't like Joe? Lol. His positive attitude and good sense of humor is needed in office, not W humor either.

[PNWest]

I'll go with Hillary if she wants to run. She's earned it with her wonderful works as First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State. I hope she runs. Joe Biden would also make a good President. He'd be like Harry Truman with hair plugs.

[AceLuby]

He'd be better than Truman. Truman was a moron.

[AceLuby]

@AceLuby Not that I'd want him in office. He'd be one of my last choices, but Truman was one of the worst...

[PNWest]

@AceLuby Harry Truman had to make the hardest decision ever made by a United States President - arguably the hardest decision ever made by a human being, to use nuclear weapons against civilians. He made the right choice and saved hundreds of thousands or even millions of lives. Harry was a great and underrated President.

[AceLuby]

@PNWest He only saved those lives IF we would have invaded Japan, however the invasion was not necessary. Russia had declared war on them, their navy was destroyed, and they had no resources to keep up their war effort. The only reason Truman wanted to invade was for 'unconditional surrender', which was completely unnecessary. He was a tool that started the United States War Machine and had Wallace been VP (as he should have been) we never would have even considered invading Japan or dropping the bomb.

[PNWest]

@AceLuby Your version of history is faulty. Truman dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on Aug 6, 1945. Russia declared war on Japan on Aug 8, 1945, after they knew that Japan was all but finished. Japan had shown no interest in surrender or backing down. They would have fought to the bitter end and perhaps millions would have died. Truman did the right thing.

[MadAmerican]

Could they get someone else beside Hillary and Joe? Where is the change that was promised? Why put the SOS in the white house?

[dkpayton]

run someone who will stand up for the constitution of the U.S.A. that fool will never get my vote nor clinton we all know where she stands on thev 2amendent... i will never vote dem again ever

[marine1]

Let the games begin

[Fishbone345]

If Joe is what the Dems put up and the GOP puts up another fool like Romney, it will be a great year for the Libertarian candidate!

[Politicskid]

"Great" being a relative term...

[thejimbo]

Hillary's year was 2008. I won't get into who conspired to take that way from her. It certainly wasn't the 18+ million primary supporters.

In 2016, she'll be 69 and Joe Biden will be 74. How are the Democrats going to convince all the 20-somethings to vote for Grandma or Grandpa for the Oval Office? They'll be looking for the next "new, cool guy".

[AceLuby]

Democrats would have to be IDIOTS to nominate Joe. He's a good guy, but not a good candidate for President.

[RobertJHarsh]

They should run a non-white again. That is a guaranteed win strategy for the Democrats. If they're lucky, they can completely vilify white people and force the GOP into total bankruptcy after the 2020 presidential (s)elections.

[Fitz]

Maybe Barney Frank?

[artjeb]

Cmon Cmon this isn't a carnival aidjit isn't needed

[Everyman]

Al Qaeda Gore. ManBearPig can use alJazeera to push his agenda.

[marine1]

It seems to me that if our political leaders,(booth sides) have to meet in secret to determine how best they can do to this country what THEY want, we ALL are in deep s&^t?

[artjeb]

RRRIIGHT

[tomincali]

i am sure it will be clinton, heck they are making a movie about her which seems for that reason,have to see if they leave white water out of it.

[jessejaymes]

1.) Biden is doing exactly what romney has already done with his backers. Obama doesn't need to since he can't run again. 2.) While I like Biden better than Hilary, if Hilary runs, she'll win. The nomination and the Presidency. The right will assure that by dragging themselves further right. What's next Christian Taliban? You going to start driving mustangs around in white sheets?

[Politicskid]

But we still have a lot of unanswered questions about 9/11 2.0 in Libya. Her department is likely responsible, and it could drastically hinder her chances of election, maybe not in the primary but in the general election.

[jessejaymes]

@Politicskid Come on now. Republicans were not voting for her before Benghazi and they aren't voting for her now. Democrats believe her. It is what it is. She's a shoo in for the Dem nominee if she chooses to run.

[Politicskid]

@jessejaymes The GOP isn't accusing Ms. Clinton of lying, just doing a lousy job as Secretary of State.

[jessejaymes]

@Politicskid But that doesn't change the fact that Republicans were not voting for Hilary before Benghazi. That doesn't change a single vote from the right.

[Politicskid]

@jessejaymes What about the Independants?

[artjeb]

YUP ol jo is gonna run that is if he keeps his foot out of his mouth. some times i think he has foot & mouth disease

[PoliticalSpice]

Isn't ot a bit early for this?

[Thunderchicken]

This a joke right?

[Grubby]

Those of you who say he would be a good president are saying it tongue in cheek, I assume. You can't really be that stupid.

[SignifiedNBlue]

Unfortunately, these stupid people out number the smart. Look who just got reelected? The largest population would vote in Bozo the Clown because the circus is already in the White House lol