Delaware political reaction to Biden’s decision not to run [video]

Delaware’s own Joe Biden will not run for president in 2016 after his last term as vice president.

While many are shocked, New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon believes the decision centered around Biden’s late son, Beau, who died from brain cancer earlier this year.

“I’m sure it was all about his son. Had his son not got sick I think it would have been a different outcome,” said Gordon who worked closely with Beau during his last two years as attorney general. 

Gordon, who considers hismself a Joe Biden confidant, also addressed his [Biden] legacy after the decision was announced.

“It’s a big legacy. [He’s] the first vice president of the United States to live in Delaware,” Gordon said. “We’re still not used to him riding around with all the secret service and blocking up all the roads but he’s our royalty. The [Biden] family was our Kennedy family and we’re very glad to have him back.”

U.S. Senator Chris Coons, D-Del. said he respects Biden’s decision and understands why he wouldn’t seek the Presidency.

“As always in his career, Joe Biden is putting his family first, and I am confident he will continue to add his important voice to our nation’s ongoing debate about security in an uncertain world and opportunity for the middle class,” Coons said.

Reaction immediately poured in from the Draft Biden 2016 PAC as well.  Will Pierce, executive director of the group released a statement after Biden set the record straight about his future plans.

“We are so grateful for the gigantic outpouring of support from hundreds of thousands of Americans around the country in our effort to encourage the Vice President to run. While the Vice President has decided not to run, we know that over the next year he will stand up for all Americans and articulate a vision for America’s future that will leave no one behind,” Pierce said.

According to Chairman of the Delaware Republican Party, Charlie Copeland, it’s now time for voters to focus on other candidates running for president, such as Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. 

Copland released the following statement:

“Voters can now turn their attention to Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and the other Democrat candidates for President who represent the extreme in liberal progressive politics, and who leave little to no room in the Democratic Party for anybody with moderate mainstream views,” Copeland said.

“As the sitting Vice President it’s clear to Joe Biden that ‘waiting for Hillary Clinton to stumble’ is not the narrative he needed to be taken seriously as a candidate. The Vice President understands that today is his final day in the political sun before all eyes turn to Hillary Clinton.”

Congressman John Carney, D-Del., expressed mixed emotions regarding Biden’s decision.

“Joe’s someone I have admired and looked up to for over 30 years. On a personal level, I’m disappointed that he’s decided not to run — he would’ve made an excellent president. But I understand his decision, and in some ways, it makes me respect him even more,” Carney said.

According to Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., he and Biden have talked over the past few weeks about the presidential run. Carper said he encouraged Biden to listen to family as they all continue to grieve the terrible loss of their beloved Beau.

“I know this was an extraordinarily difficult decision for the Biden family to make. I’ve known Joe for many years as we worked together to serve the people of Delaware and our country, and I know he has everything it takes to make a great president,” Carper said.

In the end, Delaware is showing its support for Biden. Gov. Jack Markell shared his thoughts as well which sums up the reaction of many Delawareans.

“All of us in Delaware love Joe Biden. He’s beloved frankly across the country and so I know this was a very personal decision and we all in Delaware are going to be with him no matter what,” Markell said.