Say it ain’t so! Iowa-bound Biden considering 2016 Presidential run?

Our gaffetastic veep will be in Iowa next month, which of course leads to the inevitable speculation from pundits and politicos alike. Via the NYT’s Caucus Blog (hat tip) :

DES MOINES — Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will be the keynote speaker at Senator Tom Harkin’s annual steak fry fund-raiser next month, a signature political event that often showcases as featured speakers those aspiring to be president.

Mr. Biden will speak after Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio, according to a person familiar with the plans. Mr. Biden’s attendance is a sign, Democratic officials here say, that he wants Iowa voters to know he is very much considering another White House bid in 2016. A spokesman for Mr. Biden did not reply to requests for comment.

The gathering, to be held on Sept. 15 at a county fairgrounds south of Des Moines, underscores Mr. Biden’s effort to nurture ties in Iowa, which holds the first presidential nominating contest in the nation, and the other early-voting states. He spoke at a South Carolina Democratic dinner in May and will raise money this month for Gov. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.

Mr. Biden has many longtime friends in Iowa, dating to 1988 and the first of his presidential runs. They include Mr. Harkin, a former Senate colleague. Mr. Biden attended the Iowa ball in Washington during the inauguration festivities this year and invited Democratic officials and activists from this state to his residence for a reception.

It hasn’t been made official yet, but all signs are pointing to another Presidential run for Hillary Clinton as well, which could make the 2016 Democrat primaries as interesting – if not more so – than the ones in 2008, especially considering both Clinton and Biden served in the same administration for the man who had beaten them both in the primaries in 2008. Would they work hard to distance themselves from the disastrous policies of this administration? The age issue surely would pop up for Biden who – if I’m not mistaken, would be over 70 in 2016, but not for Mrs. Clinton, as the media would be in “first woman President ever” mode (as they were in full “first black President ever” mode for Obama) and would quickly shoot down any age questions that could potentially arise. Remember, the media have long been fans of the Clinton family, but cast them to the side in 2008 in favor of the “young, hip, first black President” candidate. They’ll be making up for lost time in trying to assist the former Sec. of State to what they feel would be her “rightful” place in the big chair in the Oval Office.

As they say, stay tuned ….

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