VP Joe Biden Will Not Run For President
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) -- Amid speculation over whether Vice President Joe Biden would run for president in 2016, he announced Wednesday he would not run.
"As my family have worked through the grieving process, I've said all along and I've said time and again to others it may very well be that that process, by the time we get through it, closes the window on mounting the campaign for president. I've concluded it has closed,"said Biden while standing in the rose garden at the White House.
The vice president had been considering a run for several months - but he says the grieving process over the loss of his son Beau was too much to overcome.
"The process doesn't respect or much care about things like filing deadlines or debates and primaries and caucuses," said Biden.
With his wife by his side, Biden said, despite his decision, he will still work hard to be an influential voice in the party.
"While I will not be a candidate. I will not be silent," said Biden.
He even took a shot at Democratic front runner Hillary Rodham Clinton who said last week that the Republicans were her greatest enemy.
"I don't think we should look at Republicans as our enemies. They are our opposition. They're not our enemies," said Biden."Four more years of this kind of pitched battle might be more than this country can take."
Clinton sent out a tweet calling the vice president a good friend and a great man. She could have the most to gain from Biden's decision.
The announcement comes as the latest national poll shows Clinton lead over Senator Bernie Sanders jumps to a 25 point margin when Biden is taken out of the mix.
Bernie Sanders said he understands what a difficult decision this must be for Biden and that he respects his choice.
Following Biden's announcement, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released a statement on the matter saying in part, "I appreciate Vice President Joe Biden giving thoughtful consideration to seeking the Democratic nomination for president in 2016. While Vice President Biden will not be a candidate next year, his unwavering commitment to America's working families is a legacy each of our candidates will proudly carry forward."
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