Joe Biden Eligible for October Debate — if He Declares.

[elleng]

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has an open invitation to participate in the first Democratic presidential debate next month.

According to criteria released by CNN, the network that is hosting the debate on Oct. 13, Mr. Biden would have until the next day to file a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. The rules apply to any prospective candidate who is polling higher than 1 percent.

CNN has already extended invitations to Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders and Jim Webb to participate in the debate, which will take place in Las Vegas and will be moderated by Anderson Cooper.

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/09/28/joe-biden-eligible-for-october-debate-if-he-declares/?

[99th_Monkey]

1. Could the Establishment be any more obvious about wanting Joe to run?

The undeclared candidate who gets nevertheless included in every poll of Democratic Primary candidates;
and now "Come on Joe, You can BE in the debate!!

Can you imagine if Bernie or O'Malley were still "thinking about it", how that would go?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Which begs the question:

Why does the establishment want so badly for Joe to run? I thought Hillary was the establishment candidate - or are they now worried that Bernie is catching up with her and figure Joe can more easily beat Bernie? I'm not so sure that assumption is accurate; seems to me Joe would pick up more support from Hillary people than from Bernie people. We shall see....

[HooptieWagon]

5. They are panicking.

Hillary is tanking due to her own actions. Meanwhile, Sanders' platform of democratic socialism is resonating with voters across the spectrum. That's freaking out the corporatists...so they've got the backup quarterback warming up.

[TDale313]

2. I'd guess this is at least part of the reason...

He's being included in so many of the polls. So they can include him in the debates if he does jump in.

[Fearless]

4. He should retire and enjoy time with his family

He's done plenty.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. He might sit out the debate and see what polls show after it.

If Hillary drops he'll jump in and the "Not as bad as Hillary" candidate.