Notes
Signalled Intentions Early
Early on, in the pre-campaign period, Sen. Joe Biden was among the most open of the presidential prospects in signalling his intentions to run for president.  On Dec. 8, 2004 Sen. Biden stated on MSNBC's "Imus in the Morning," "Well, I'm going to proceed as if I'm going to run."  On Feb. 27, 2005 NBC News' "Meet the Press" Biden told host Tim Russert he "might" run.  "I think I have to make that decision by the beginning of the next congressional election cycle," he said.  "Practically I think--personally have to decide whether I'm serious about it by the end of this year."  And on June 19, 2005, appearing on CBS News' "Face the Nation," Biden said, "If in fact I think I have a clear shot at winning the nomination by this November or December, then I'm going to seek the nomination."  During a June 2006 visit to New Hampshire an AP reporter quoted him as stating, "I'm running for president--flat out," and in a July 2006 visit to New Hampshire he stated, according to Union Leader political reporter John DiStaso, “I'm in.  I know I’m supposed to hedge, but I’m in.”

Twenty Years Earlier
On June 9, 1987, age 44, having already served in the Senate for 14 years, Sen. Biden announced his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.  However, Biden's bid ended abruptly in September 1987 after a video from the Dukakis campaign showed that he had plagiarized from British Labor Party leader Neil Kinnock.

Biden now has about 20 years of additional experience in the Senate; he chaired the Judiciary Committee from 1987-95 and chaired the Foreign Relations Committee from June 2001 until Republicans regained control of the Senate following the 2002 mid-term elections.  Now the ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, he has been one of the Democrats' leading voices on Iraq.  On May 1, 2006 he proposed a five-point plan for Iraq, the first point of which is "to establish three largely autonomous regions with a viable but limited central government in Baghdad."

Biden quite possibly has more political experience than any of the potential presidential candidates of either party.  As he stated at the International Association of Fire Fighters' Legislative Conference in Washington, DC in March 2006, "I've been a Senator here for 33 years--I might note that there's still 50 Senators older than me; that's very important for you to know that."  Biden's long Senate experience is a great asset, but it's also a bit of a liability among Democratic activists looking for fresh face.  For example, unlike some potential 2008 Democratic candidates, Biden inspired scant independent activity on the web in 2005 and the first part of 2006.  At the same time backers of his earlier run could provide an initial base of support.

Talking About Joe Biden
Biden's speaking ability is likewise both an asset and a liability.  He has acquired a reputation as someone who likes to hear the sound of his own voice, but he can at times be one of the best speakers in the Democratic party, able to move an audience, not pulling his punches, pausing, raising and lowering his voice, and weaving in some lines from an Irish poet or two.
 

Joe Biden.  July 31, 2007. PROMISES TO KEEP: On Life and Politics.  New York: Random House. Random House Publishing Group announced on July 28, 2005 it had acquired an untitled memoir by Sen. Biden.  "Biden, in writing his first book, will tell the story of his remarkable thirty-year career in the United States Senate -- from journeyman days as a 29-year old Senator too young to be sworn in, to his rise to become one of the most powerful democrats, and one of the most dynamic,  respected, and outspoken politicians,  in Washington.  Biden will write of the remarkable figures he's known (from Brezhnev to Rabin to the Pope), and of the many historic events he witnessed up close (and often played a role in).  He will write of the devastating personal tragedies and setbacks he has faced -- and overcome.   And he will tackle head-on, with his characteristic directness and honesty, the challenges that face the world's greatest deliberative body, and the nation, today; explore America's role in the world going forward; and assess America's current domestic and international quagmires -- and how to move beyond them."  (Initial title: A Better Place)

Robert Draper.  "Joe Biden Can't Shut Up."  GQ.  March 2006.
 

Speeches
Caucus Night Remarks, Des Moines, IA, Jan. 3, 2008.  [transcript]
DNC Winter Meeting, Washington, DC, Feb. 3, 2007.  [transcript]
Video announcement, Jan. 31, 2007.  [transcript]

Photos
June 2, 2007 - NHDP Convention in Concord, NH.
May 17, 2007 - IAM "Enough is Enough" rally.
March 28, 2007 - Building and Construction Trades Department Presidential Forum.
March 14, 2007 - IAFF 2008 Presidential Forum.
March 13, 2007 - National League of Cities' Congressional City Conference.
Feb. 3, 2007 - DNC Winter Meeting.
Jan. 24, 2007 - United States Conference of Mayors' 75th Winter Meeting.
Jan. 7, 2007 - After appearance on NBC News' "Meet the Press."

Sept. 7, 2006 - Delivers a speech on "Five Years After 9/11: Rethinking America's Future Security."
mid-August 2006 - Visit to Iowa.
July 16, 2006 - After appearance on NBC News' "Meet the Press."
June 22, 2006 - NDN 2006 Annual Meeting.
May 8, 2006 - Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire's 9th Biennial Convention in Nashua, NH.  [Courtesy PFFNH]
March 20, 2006 - International Association of Fire Fighters' Legislative Conference.

Nov. 1, 2005 - Fundraiser for Mayor Bob Baines at the Alpine Club in Manchester, NH.  [Courtesy Friends of Bob Baines]
June 21, 2005 - Delivering a speech on "U.S. Policy in Iraq: Rhetoric vs. Reality" at the Brookings Institution.
 
and
Offices: IA, 2

Finances

On the Web

Jan. 31, 2007 grab www.joebiden.com	March 31, 2006 grab uniteourstates.com

 

Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action