US News

Biden: No reason I shouldn’t run for president

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden says he can’t think of a reason why he shouldn’t run for president.

Sounding as though he has plenty of fire in the belly for a third White House run, Biden told a TV interviewer: “There may be reasons I don’t run, but there’s no obvious reason for me why I think I should not run.”

Biden’s statement, made to CNN aboard a new Amtrak train at a transportation-themed event in Philadelphia, didn’t acknowledge the substantial obstacle that could block his longtime pursuit of the presidency: Fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton.

The former secretary of state, whose popularity dwarfs Biden’s in every opinion poll, is considering her own candidacy for 2016. Outside super PACs continue to line up top talent and lay plans to scoop up donations to support her candidacy.

Biden said he would make up his mind on whether to run by next summer, a timetable that political pros consider late in the process.

“The decision to run or not run is going to be determined by me as to whether I am the best-qualified person to focus on the two things I’ve spent my whole life on — giving ordinary people a fighting chance to make it and a sound foreign policy that’s based on rational interests in the United States,” Biden said on the broadcast that aired Friday.

He said he has been invited to campaign in 128 races around the country, proof of his and the administration’s popularity.

President Obama has made Biden a key part of his team. He headed up Obama’s efforts on the economic stimulus plan and the troop drawdown in Iraq, as well as the failed effort to enact a gun-control agenda after a series of school shootings.

But any hope of being an obvious heir apparent appeared to fade after a series of gestures from people in Obama’s orbit revealing a preference for Clinton.

Jim Messina, Obama’s 2012 campaign manager, recently signed up with Priorities USA Action PAC, which is being retooled to help haul in campaign cash to boost a possible Clinton bid. Obama even blessed Clinton with a cushy joint interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes” as she left his administration.

Clinton holds a commanding 73-12 percent lead over Biden in the latest ABC/Washington Post poll.