Vice President Joe Biden received President Barack Obama's "blessing" to make a 2016 bid for the White House, if he chooses to run. Though he doesn't need the President's permission, Obama has clarified that he would not stand in his way or counsel him against a run.
"Sources continue to speculate about something they know nothing about. This lunch was a private meeting between two people - the President and the Vice President," said Biden spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff, downplaying speculation about Biden's political future amidst reports that a potential presidential candidacy was among the topics of their lunch Monday at the White House, reports CNN.
The Vice President was scheduled to meet with Anita Dunn and Bob Bauer, the husband-and-wife team who have been at Obama's side for much of the last decade. Steve Ricchetti, the Vice President's chief of staff, was also expected to attend, according to Fox40.
"As a general rule, we are not going to confirm the Vice President's private meetings or provide a readout of them," an aide to the Vice President told CNN on Monday.
"I wouldn't rule out the possibility of an endorsement during the Democratic primary. I'll just say that the Vice President is somebody who has already run for President twice. He's been on a national ticket through two election cycles now, both in 2008 and in the reelection of 2012. So I think you could make the case that there is probably no one in American politics today who has a better understanding of exactly what is required to mount a successful national presidential campaign" said White House press secretary Josh Earnest during a briefing talking about Biden's credentials, reports New York Daily News.
But the only thing that is said to weigh heavily on Biden's mind is whether his family is emotionally prepared for what is sure to be a tough campaign, while still grieving the recent death of his son Beau, according to people familiar with his deliberations, reports the Washington Post.
