Vice President Joe Biden is spending part of his South Carolina vacation calling close friends to discuss a potential 2016 race, a longtime Democratic operative and a source close to Biden who had an extensive phone call with him this week confirmed to NBC News.
Biden is not calling people asking “if” he should run, but saying, “I am thinking about it but I’m also thinking about Beau,” according to a source close to Biden. His son Beau Biden passed away in May after a lengthy battle with brain cancer.
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The source who got a call from Biden this week said, “I think he is doing the analysis and homework.”
But added: “I can’t emphasize this enough: He is distraught over Beau’s passing and working through the grief.”
Aides are also “calling around” to Democratic operatives about a 2016 run. The calls were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The Biden confidant said before the vice president can run, he would have to get through that hurdle and he’s just not through it yet. The source said Biden is asking those closest to him what a campaign would look like if he gets through this hurdle.
This source said he strongly urged the vice president to run and believes it’s his time, arguing that Democrats are looking at the polls and are deeply worried that Clinton could be vulnerable in a general election. This source said Biden never mentioned Clinton’s email issues, and those who are urging Biden to run feel as though Clinton is not exciting the base in the same way that Biden could.
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Kristen Welker
Kristen Welker is the moderator of "Meet the Press."








