The Smithian

Joe Biden…must be considering a presidential run. There will be too much Obama-era unfinished business—implementing the Affordable Care Act, fighting for climate-change initiatives, for example—for Biden to throw in the towel. His strengths as a candidate are his blue-collar persona, family values, lifetime support of labor unions and farmers, foreign-policy expertise and stouthearted belief that the Obama administration’s record of accomplishment…has been historic. With Air Force Two at his disposal and his two superbright sons, Hunter and Beau, probably working as his chief advisers, Biden can give Hillary Clinton a run for her money. Although she will have an unquestioned advantage among women, it’s not inconceivable to think that labor unions, environmentalists, African-Americans, LGBT voters and small-business owners will prefer the hypercaffeinated, hard-charging vice president. Like Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, a presumed Republican candidate, Biden has learned to turn the sound-bite culture on its head by speaking from the gut. Though he’s been a major political player since the Nixon years, Biden has pulled off the trick of not seeming like politics-as-usual. It could be a mistake to underestimate his populist appeal. And it’s hard to imagine that this highly ambitious man will choose not to pursue the office he’s wanted all his life.

more, plus the talk with Vice President Biden, here.

royallyclinton:

Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden from last night’s Vital Voices event

[meaningful glance]

The first female director of the U.S. Secret Service, Julia Pierson, was sworn in at the White House on Wednesday during a short ceremony that marked a historic shift for the agency…

more.

We might sit at the dawn of the second Obama term, with Hillary in waiting, Republicans in therapy and Congressional approvals in sub-cockroach and colonoscopy territory. But for whatever reason, the perfect flower of this peculiar moment grows from the earthy core of Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.

more.

Biden isn’t technically in the race. (Technically, there isn’t a race yet) And, of course, minds can change between now and 2016. But, Biden is doing everything that someone who is planning to run [for president]  would do. Everything.

more.

Over the past four years, Biden has insinuated himself into the White House, while seeming hardly to try, in a way that no other vice president in memory has done. He and Obama, both consummate pragmatists although they tend to be liberal in outlook, have achieved something close to a mind meld across a whole range of issues, including foreign policy, the economy, and political strategy. Biden said it outright in his speech during the presidential campaign: “I literally get to be the last guy in the room with the president. That’s our arrangement.” That’s no small thing in a town where power is often measured in minutes of presidential face time.

more.

[look of the hour]

The New York Times.