Is it a coincidence that front runners Biden and Beto have both delayed announcing they are running?

[friend of m and j]

Though they have not yet announced they are running for President they are both in the early states of Ohio and Iowa this week. I expect (and hope) they make a joint announcement this month while in those early states. Biden announcing he is running. Beto announcing he is NOT running because Biden has asked him to be on the ticket as his VP when Biden wins the nomination.

That ticket would beat Trump in the general election and would scare the shit out of Trump. It might even cause Trump to drop out of the race (for health reasons).

During the campaign Biden would stress that he would only run for one term. But he would have Beto as his partner and a fantastic pool of other primary candidates from which to select cabinet positions and other top jobs. That would guarantee a united Democratic Party for the general election.

That would accomplish the number one priority of Democrats - beat Trump and get him out of the Presidency. Polls seem to show that the public attitude is changing. On questions about what issues are important to them, a high percentage are including as one of thir top issues is having a President with character, integrity, and honesty.

We could again have country that we are proud of.

[cmeneer]

1. Like Minds!

Had the exact same thought this morning! I think it would be great! Experience, youth, energy, charisma...

[The Truth Is Here]

2. Front runners? I think not.

Biden has some SERIOUS baggage to answer for when and if he decides to run.

[sacto95834]

6. i was thinking the same

Biden has been around a long time and has baggage from all those years of service. He's really a product of the 80s/90s and the party has changed so much. I think it was rather smart of him to keep on the sidelines for as long as he can. By not being in, the scrutiny isn't as great and there is so much good will from his service as VP during the Obama white house.

Beto, I'm not all that sure. If I had to guess, I really think he is trying to figure out if his platform will transfer to a national stage. He runs well in a conservative state like Texas especially against someone like Ted Cruz, but will his popularity transfer to the national stage with so many equally stellar candidates. That is the question. So far it seems to be working. I would have jumped in fairly quickly to test the waters, but he is taking the wait and see approach and like Biden, not being officially in the race avoids scrutiny.

Both have excellent political sense.

[comradebillyboy]

3. I read somewhere that Biden was still trying to get his financing squared away.

Picking a running mate before the first primary reeks of desperation and Joe doesn't look desperate. I would guess that Beto is still contemplating another Senate run in Texas.

[Funtatlaguy]

4. We REALLY need to flip those Senate seats in Texas and Georgia.

Beto and Abrams could beat Cornyn and Purdue. Wish they’d run for Senate.
Win those two and you only need to flip one more in Colorado or elsewhere to get to 50 with a Dem Veep and Schumer becomes Senate majority leader.
Our new President doesn’t need to constantly fight the Turtle and a GOP Senate.

[sacto95834]

7. I think we will need one more...

Not sure we can hold on to Alabama. But there is talk of Roy Moore getting in that 2020 senate race. I truly wish lightning can strike twice!

[chimpymustgo]

11. You make an excellent point. We need to build our political infrastructure.

Everybody can't be President and VEEP - nor sshould they try (at this time.)

[brooklynite]

5. Meaningless fantasy

[Nanjeanne]

8. By not announcing - they stay frontrunners.

[MineralMan]

9. I don't think Beto O'Rourke has that sort of clout, really.

I don't see him as a viable presidential candidate, frankly. He's missing an election win that he needed.

I think it's a coincidence.

[George II]

10. No, I don't think it's a coincidence, nor do I think that as they both get closer to annnouncing...

....the attacks against them are increasing, too.

Some are VERY scared of either Biden or O'Rourke, or both.

[chimpymustgo]

12. Some just don't see them as the best we have to offer: one too old; one too untested.

We do have a lot of good candidates, and plenty of time to chose one to take us across the finish line!

[nolabear]

13. I was a fool and signed up to be "The FIRST to know!" when Beto announces something.

I couldn't help it. I'm that curious. Of course I sacrificed my email and phone number (which I NEVER do, not that it helps me avoid much) but he's supposed to say something in the next few days.

I like the Biden/Beto possibility, though I admit I was surprised to hear Beto is wealthy and his wife's father is a major Texas real estate tycoon. I might like Biden/Harris a lot better though.

[Garrett78]

14. This transitional president idea is absurd.

By saying he would only serve for 1 term, Biden would be drawing even more attention to the fact that he'd be - by far - the oldest person to ever take office as president--he'd be older than Reagan was when Reagan *left* office. And we'd be losing the advantage of incumbency.

It's almost as if we ought to nominate someone who is younger, more charismatic and has far less baggage. Crazy, I know.

[jcgoldie]

15. If you need a "ticket" to make your case before the primaries begin

... then maybe you need a better candidate. If they think Beto is going to announce he's running for Vice President at this point then they need to wake up.