Is it possible that Joe Biden will announce tomorrow?

[CoffeeCat]

I know this may be absurd, but I'm wondering if Joe Biden may announce that he's running for President tomorrow and then participate in the primary debate as a candidate?

I have no crystal ball, but I do understand completely that many powerful interests--in our own party--would do anything to derail the momentum that Bernie Sanders is building.

Whether or not you disagree with Sanders, it is clear that he is a master communicator. And he's saying things that a large majority of Americans agree with--even some Republicans. And the more people hear him, the higher his polls rise. I think it is clear that Sanders would do very well in a debate and that his ideas and debate success would be the focus of the post-debate analysis--*IF* this was a typical debate.

We haven't heard from Biden in a while. Why the silence?

What if Biden announced his candidacy for President tomorrow--and also his participation in the debate? What a publicity coup that would be! Biden would be the focus of attention--like a political-PR tidal wave. Biden would maintain that spotlight pre-debate, during the debate and in the very critical post-debate analysis.

Such a publicity device would shift the attention from Clinton v Sanders--to Joe the shiny object! This move would decrease the attention that Bernie would get during the debate and would pivot the post-debate conversation primarily to Joe Biden.

I don't know what's going to happen (obviously), but I do know that the DNC will attempt anything to pour cold water on Sanders, as he gains more momentum and climbs in the polls. I also believe--based on how they have rigged the debates thus far (low number of debates, limited channels, etc.)--that Clinton is less than enthusiastic about going head to head with Sanders in a debate.

Anyone else believe that Biden announcing tomorrow is even remotely possible?

[jfern]

1. Remotely possible? Yes. But probably not.

[marym625]

2. I think that if he is going to run, it will be tomorrow that

He announces.

[No Vested Interest]

3. Apparently he has not been doing the debate prep most candidates

do before a debate.
If he tries to wing it, it could go badly.

[longship]

4. I think that he will not run. nt

[rpannier]

5. Doubt he will

I think it would hurt more than help
I think it would look like he was grandstanding

[Art_from_Ark]

6. If he did,

I think it would make him look like an opportunist.

[jfern]

11. February which year?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. No/nt

[left-of-center2012]

9. It's getting to the point where I don't care

The build up has been long and boring. Do it or don't do it.
You can only tease so long,
and he was never that great of a candidate the two times he previously ran.

[CoffeeCat]

12. It would make sense...

...that maybe they are backing off from the idea of Biden running. We haven't heard from Joe for a while. I had assumed that recent polls, showing that Biden siphons votes from Hillary--may have quelled the idea that he's a good "Plan B".

The initial thought might have been that Biden would splinter the Progressive wing and take votes from Bernie. That has proved to not be the case.

But this CNN "extra-podium" pic made me wonder if some publicity stunt was planned. Yeah, I know...somebody talk me off the ceiling.

I guess I just don't see the elites/corporatist wing of our party allowing this debate to happen organically. Bernie is trouncing Hillary in the polls--in the states that vote soon. He's a terrific debater and many people (who don't reside in states with later primaries) will be paying attention to Bernie for the first time. We all know that when Bernie is heard, his polls increase. Hillary is a decent debater, but debating is not her forte.

I guess I'm primed for them to pull some dirty tricks.

I did hear this morning on NPR that Hillary will be center stage. That may be helpful, but on the other hand--it may solidify the notion that she is part of the entrenched establishment, with the other candidates being "outsiders." And today's electorate pretty much considers DC insiders and establishment politics to be radioactive.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

14. No. He is not!!!

. Bernie is trouncing Hillary in the polls--in the states that vote soon

Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada are the first four primary and caucus contests on the schedule and the Vermont senator only leads in New Hampshire:


http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2016-iowa-presidential-democratic-primary

http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2016-new-hampshire-presidential-democratic-caucus

http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2016-south-carolina-presidential-democratic-primary

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/nv/nevada_democratic_presidential_caucus-5337.html

[davidpdx]

10. I don't think he'll run

All the speculation is to increase interest in the debate. Vice-President Biden has had very little time to prepare to run for president since the death of his son. I think the field is set with the five candidates that are running.

[LWolf]

13. It's possible.

I don't think it's likely, even though we'll have that empty podium; I wonder who's been taking Republican notes and will talk to it as if he's there?

[restorefreedom]

15. i don't care anymore

i doubt he will run at all, so he won't be there imo

[Le Taz Hot]

16. Not probable but definately possible.

There is the absolutely stunning fact that he's not in the race yet poll after poll includes them in the data. And that 6th podium. I'm pretty sure Debbie Downer didn't have a change of heart (assuming she has one, of course) didn't all of a sudden included Lessig.