Did Joe Biden Ever Have the Opportunity to Run for President While He was Vice President?
There is a common debate among voters and political enthusiasts regarding Joe Biden's potential and actual opportunities to run for president during his time as Vice President under Barack Obama. This article delves into this question, providing a comprehensive overview of the facts and historical context.
Legal Constraints and Qualifications
Nope, or Did He? Some believe that Joe Biden did not have the chance to run for president while serving as Vice President. However, it's important to note that every person who met the constitutional qualifications for the office of the president had that right, regardless of their position in the government. This implies that Biden, as an eligible citizen over 35 years of age, could have run for president at any point during his Vice Presidency.
Obama's Decision and Biden's Role
During his initial term, Barack Obama selected Joe Biden to be his Vice President. The guiding rationale behind this decision was to ensure that there were safeguards in place to protect Obama's presidency. One such safeguard was appointing a running mate that could take over if necessary. This decision was made under the assumption that Biden would be the ideal successor to Obama.
However, Joe Biden's previous run for the 2016 Democratic primary did not materialize, as he did not contest in the 2016 Presidential election. Instead, he waited until 2020, when he won the Democratic nomination and the subsequent election.
Biden's Ambitions and Obama's Legacy
Joe Biden was indeed vice president under Obama. When Obama was running for his second term, the question of whether Biden would accompany him was a possibility. Biden could have made the decision to separate from Obama’s campaign and run for the Democratic nomination. His history of being rejected by the American public for his past political affiliations and controversial statements might have influenced his decision-making.
There are some who believe that Obama did not spend much time 'thinking about Old Joe'. However, it is speculated that Obama might have seen Biden as a means to salvage some of his legacy. One of the most significant pieces of legislation from Obama's administration, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or as many know it, Obamacare, was a key point in this context. As the Vice President, Biden could have worked to ensure this and other reforms were implemented.
Backroom Deals and Allegations
Some conspiracy theories persist that suggest the 2016 election was not legitimate. It was alleged that Biden spent the entire campaign hiding in his basement while illegal ballots were organized to ensure his win. supporters and campaign teams promoted him and strategized his rise to power, resulting in a significant victory. Interestingly, there is a documentary titled 2000 Mules directed by Dinesh D’Souza that explores these allegations.
Another angle is the speculation of what might have been. Some people suggest that Biden should have run against Donald Trump in 2016, which could have resulted in a victory by nearly 8 million votes. However, this remains theoretical and is based on alternative scenarios and conjecture.
In conclusion, Joe Biden had the legal right and the opportunity to run for president during his time as Vice President, though it ultimately did not happen until years later. His role in Obama’s administration and the decisions made during that period are subject to interpretation and debate.