Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday
announced that he won't seek the 2016 Democratic nomination for
president.
The sudden announcement ends months of
speculation about Biden entering the race and boosts Hillary
Clinton's campaign, though Biden did not endorse a candidate.
Flanked by his wife Jill and President
Barack Obama, Biden told reporters gathered in the White House Rose
Garden that it was too late for him to enter the race. He also cited
the recent death of his son, Beau.
“While I will not be a candidate, I
will not be silent,” Biden said. “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.”
Clinton praised Biden in a tweet: “.@VP
is a good friend and a great man. Today and always, inspired by his
optimism and commitment to change the world for the better. -H.”
Biden, who served nearly 40 years in
the Senate and two terms as vice president, is not expected to seek
another political office.