This election cycle has been one for the books. Whether it’s Donald Trump’s overuse of Twitter, Hilary Clinton’s email scandal or Bernie Sanders’ popularity with millennials, all three candidates have been busy battling for the highest office in America. Many have argued that voting in this election cycle is akin to choosing the better of the two worse candidates. But one person has been eerily quiet throughout this process, Joe Biden. Biden has stated that he has no desire to run for office, even though many prefer him over the two Democratic nominees. Here are four reasons why Joe Biden should have run for president.
1. Experience
Vice President Joe Biden has held public office for over 36-years, advised the president, played a vital role in the president's cabinet and is an established leader.
At the age of 29, Biden became one of the youngest people ever, elected to United States Senate. He was a Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for 17 years and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for 12 years helping shape U.S foreign policy. Under President Obama, Biden implemented the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, an $840,000,000,000 stimulus package that helped rebuild the economy. And leads the Ready to Work Initiative, implemented to improve the nation's workforce. According to CNN, Biden revealed that he had planned on making a bid for the White House but that after the death of his son, Beau, he decided against it.
2. Policy
Whitehouse.gov writes, "With decades of foreign policy experience in the United States Senate, include serving as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Vice President Biden advises President Obama on international issues."
Biden is the only candidate who, if elected would carry on Obama's policies.
He has worked closely with Obama and knows his policies better than any other candidate. Bruce Buchanan, a political professor at the University of Texas at Austin, told the Washington Times, "Should he enter the race, there may be an opportunity down the road to split from Mr. Obama, but for now it would be foolish to go out of his way to create distance."
3. Public Image
Matthew Rozsa of Mic.com wrote, “As the media increasingly focuses on the issue of childhood bullying, attention should be paid to Biden’s personal historyas a child, Biden had a speech impediment that took him years to master. As someone who was bullied while growing up, I can personally attest to how such treatment instills within its victims a visceral empathy for others who are victimized, whether it is for being gay, having a developmental handicap, looking different, or anything else. What’s more, by virtue of his subsequent achievements, Biden is in a unique position to serve as a role model for victims of bullying who need to know that they can overcome their present hardships and experience a bright future.
4. Legacy
Biden told USA Today, "I intend to speak out clearly and forcefully to influence as much as I can where we stand as a party, and where we need to go as a nation. ... I believe that President Obama has led this nation from crisis to recovery, and we're now on the cusp of resurgence. I'm proud to have played a part in that."
"We're making a tragic mistake if we walk away from, or try to undo, the Obama legacy," he said.
In deciding not to run, Biden has not only ensured the end of Obama's legacy but his own as well. He would have been the best president.
