Former Vice President Joe Biden has officially announced his campaign for the 2020 Presidential race.
Earlier this week, before Biden had officially announced his bid, it was reported that the family of the late Sen. John McCain is reportedly planning to put their support behind Biden in an effort to defeat President Donald Trump, the Washington Examiner reported Wednesday.
Biden, 76, formally announced his run in a video he released across social media on Thursday morning:
The video centered around the topic of white supremacy, insisting that the U.S. is facing “a battle for the soul of this nation.”
“The core values of this nation, our standing in the world, our very democracy, everything that has made America, America, is at stake,” Biden said in the video. “That’s why today I’m announcing my candidacy for President of the United States.”
Someone close to the McCain family said the late senator’s widow, Cindy, and daughter and “The View” host Meghan, already gave their support to Biden, but were considering other ways of helping him, such as a public endorsement.
“It’s undeniable that Joe Biden and the McCain family have a very close, personal relationship. It’s about what’s good for him [Biden],” the source told the Washington Examiner.
“They talk regularly and have been supportive of his run,” a second source told the Washington Examiner. “The question is going to be timing and coordinating with the Biden campaign. There are a lot of moving parts there and [Biden’s campaign is] not necessarily organized. I wouldn’t expect a formal family endorsement because some of McCain’s family is still in the military, but I do expect Cindy to speak out at some point.”
Cindy McCain did speak out via Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, saying, “Joe Biden is a wonderful man and dear friend of the McCain Family. However, I have no intention of getting involved in presidential politics.”
Joe Biden is a wonderful man and dear friend of the McCain Family. However, I have no intention of getting involved in presidential politics.
— Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) April 24, 2019
“Thrilled that Vice President [Joe Biden] will be giving his first exclusive interview since announcing his run for President with us [at ‘The View’] table tomorrow morning. It’s no secret of my love and friendship with Joe – and I can’t wait to talk to him tomorrow,” Meghan McCain tweeted Thursday morning.
Thrilled that Vice President @JoeBiden will be giving his first exclusive interview since announcing his run for President with us @TheView table tomorrow morning. It’s no secret of my love and friendship with Joe – and I can’t wait to talk to him tomorrow. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zEbijrlqgL
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) April 25, 2019
Biden is expected to host the first of his rallies in Philadelphia on May 18, and there he will “lay out his vision for unifying America with respected leadership on the world stage,” CNN reported.
“Welcome to the race Sleepy Joe,” Trump tweeted. “I only hope you have the intelligence, long in doubt, to wage a successful primary campaign. It will be nasty – you will be dealing with people who truly have some very sick & demented ideas. But if you make it, I will see you at the Starting Gate!”
Welcome to the race Sleepy Joe. I only hope you have the intelligence, long in doubt, to wage a successful primary campaign. It will be nasty – you will be dealing with people who truly have some very sick & demented ideas. But if you make it, I will see you at the Starting Gate!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2019
Biden joins 20 other Democratic candidates vying for their party’s Presidential bid, although recent polls show him as the front runner. With a career spanning four decades and two previous terms as vice president under former President Obama, Biden has strong connections and a strong name and image familiar to many. However, he has recently been scrutinized for his public behavior where he reportedly has made women feel uncomfortable, for which Biden apologized.
