Nearly a week after the first allegation came forth, former Vice President Joe Biden has found himself in an unenviable situation as he remains unable to stem the flow of negative news and sits on the sidelines of the 2020 scene. In an attempt to stop the bleeding, Biden went the direct route Wednesday by releasing a video of him speaking into a camera, but did not apologize for his actions. As Jonathan Easley and Justin Wise report, the crisis continues to deepen in the former vice president's world for a multitude of reasons, including what is considered lackluster work by his political team and the fact that he continues to sit on the sidelines of 2020. He hasn't been out in public since the allegations surfaced, headlined by his absence from a conference hosted by the National Action Network — Al Sharpton's group — in New York City, at which nearly every declared and prospective candidate will appear. Biden is expected to launch his campaign after Easter, which the two-minute video alluded to making his likely bid all but inevitable. But the slow-drip of allegations has threatened to derail his candidacy before it ever gets off the ground, and Biden is clearly hoping that Wednesday's video allows him to move forward. The only poll taken of the 2020 field during a portion of the five-day news cycle showed Biden still atop the Democratic field, but how Biden handles the next few weeks will answer many questions political watchers have about his waiting-in-the-wings campaign. What happens to Biden is also something Team Trump is keeping a keen eye on, as some continue to believe the former vice president poses the greatest risk to the president’s reelection. Not only did a pro-Trump super PAC release a digital ad titled “Creepy Joe,” but President Trump himself has weighed in on the situation in the last two days, including a call Wednesday for Biden not to apologize. “No, he's going to make his own decisions. He's very capable of making his own decision,” Trump said. “I wish him luck. I do wish him luck. I really do.” The New York Times — Biden, in video, says he will be ‘more mindful’ of personal space: “Mr. Biden’s aides said that after listening to the women who have criticized him, as well as many other female friends, family members and advisers, he indicated he wanted to address the matter directly. They said the former vice president paid particular attention to the comments of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a longtime friend of his who’s similarly rooted in an earlier political era, when she said Tuesday that ‘people’s space is important to them, and what’s important is how they receive it and not necessarily how you intended it’.” Perspectives and Analysis: Elizabeth Bruenig: Is Biden worth it? Edward-Isaac Dovere: Biden bets the country will accept his ‘affectionate’ behavior Ford O’Connell, The Hill: Democrats’ outrage machine targets Buttigieg’s gayness, Biden’s past > Only months into the 2020 campaign, it’s policy proposal season for candidates as they try to make a name, force their way into the conversation and curry favor with constituencies whose support is seen as crucial to the success of their campaigns, according to Max Greenwood. Julián Castro, the former Housing and Urban Development secretary, became the latest candidate to delve into the nitty-gritty world of policy on Tuesday, unveiling an immigration proposal that would offer a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. That rollout came a week after Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) revealed an ambitious plan to raise teacher pay by an average of $13,500 nationwide. All of this in an attempt to separate themselves somehow from the 15-candidate field. Associated Press: Justice reform activists want more ideas from Dem candidates. > The Colorado Independent: Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) has prostate cancer, but he still intends to run for president. > Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday a planned April 14th rally in South Bend, Ind. to officially kick off his presidential bid in earnest. Buttigieg has remained in the exploratory phase since his initial Jan. 23 announcement, but announced an eye-popping $7 million raised in the first fundraising quarter. Elsewhere on the political scene … Add another Democrat to the 2020 scene: Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) is expected to announce his candidacy this week, which will include a stop by “The View” today and trips to Iowa and New Hampshire within the coming week (BuzzFeed & ABC News) … Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will take part in a town hall hosted by Fox News on April 15 (Politico) … Mark Kelly, the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), raised over $4 million for his Senate bid as he looks to unseat Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) in 2020. © Getty Images |
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