Non-starter Biden fires warning at Clinton

UNITED STATES Vice-President Joe Biden’s decision to not run for president in 2016 has ended months of speculation and removes one of Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s biggest potential obstacles to the party’s nomination.

Biden, 72, appeared in the White House Rose Garden with his wife Jill and President Barack Obama to say the window for mounting a successful campaign had closed.

His announcement

ended

a highly public ‘‘will he or won’t he?’’ political guessing game about his intentions that had shadowed Clinton’s campaign and frozen the support of some Democratic activists and donors.

‘‘While I will not be a candidate, I will not be silent,’’ Biden said. ‘‘I intend to speak out clearly and forcefully to influence as much as I can where we stand as a party and where we need to go as a nation.’’

Biden had been wrestling with doubts about whether he and his family were ready for a gruelling campaign while still mourning his son Beau, who died of brain cancer in May. His son had urged him to run.

Making good on his promise to speak out, Biden took a veiled jab at Clinton, chiding Democrats who referred to Republicans as their enemies and saying Demorats would be making a ‘‘tragic mistake’’ if they walked away from Obama’s

Clinton had listed Republicans among her enemies during last week’s presidential debate and

Joe Biden

record. had broken with Obama by moving to the left on such issues as the Keystone XL pipeline and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

‘‘I don’t think we should look at Republicans as our enemies. They are our opposition, they’re not our enemies,’’ Biden said. Speculation about a Biden candidacy had grown as Clinton slumped in polls and questions grew about her honesty and trustworthiness amid the controversy over her use of a private email server while secretary of state.

But what was widely hailed as a command performance by Clinton in last week’s Democratic debate turned the tide back in her favour and quieted talk that she was vulnerable in her quest for her party’s nomination for the November 2016 election.

A Clinton spokesman said she called Biden after he announced his decision.

In a statement, she called him ‘‘a good man and a great vicepresident’’ and said she was confident he would continue to be on the political front lines.

Clinton’s prime challenger now is Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. A self-styled democratic socialist, Sanders has galvanised the party’s Left wing but has yet to prove he can broaden his appeal.

‘‘It’s an easier path for Hillary Clinton now,’’ said Democratic strategist Bud Jackson. ‘‘Most polls reflect that without Biden in the race, it’s more beneficial to her.’’

But Biden supporters did not appear to be falling in line behind Clinton after the announcement, with 15 of the 27 contacted by Reuters saying they were unsure they would back her.

Democratic fundraiser Daniel Alpert, managing partner at an investment bank, said he is now undecided between Clinton and Sanders.

He wants more clarity on Clinton’s policies, and wants Sanders to prove he can run a credible campaign.

Biden, who is popular with white, working-class voters, could still become a valuable surrogate for Democrats against the Republican nominee in the general election campaign.

BRIEFS UNITED STATES