Edgartown, Massachusetts (CNN) As Joe Biden might say, it would be a big deal if he runs for president. A "BFD."

But there is one major obstacle: Inside the White House there appears to be little enthusiasm for a Biden candidacy

At a convention in 1972, Biden and his first wife, Neilia, and his two sons take a photo with Delaware Gov.-elect Sherman W. Tribbitt and his wife Jeanne. Neilia Biden died in a car accident a few months later, after his first election to the Senate, along with their infant daughter, Naomi.

At a convention in 1972, Biden and his first wife, Neilia, and his two sons take a photo with Delaware Gov.-elect Sherman W. Tribbitt and his wife Jeanne. Neilia Biden died in a car accident a few months later, after his first election to the Senate, along with their infant daughter, Naomi.

President Jimmy Carter and Biden attend a reception for the Delaware Democratic Party in 1978. Biden was the first senator to endorse Carter's presidential candidacy two years earlier.

President Jimmy Carter and Biden attend a reception for the Delaware Democratic Party in 1978. Biden was the first senator to endorse Carter's presidential candidacy two years earlier.

While on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Biden meets with Sen. Frank Church, center, and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat after the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in 1979.

While on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Biden meets with Sen. Frank Church, center, and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat after the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in 1979.

Biden announces his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988. After three months he drops out, following reports of plagiarism and false claims about his academic record.

Biden announces his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988. After three months he drops out, following reports of plagiarism and false claims about his academic record.

While chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden meets Afghan students during a visit to Kabul in 2002.

While chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden meets Afghan students during a visit to Kabul in 2002.

As a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden is interviewed on NBC's "Meet the Press," concerning the war in Iraq on August 14, 2005.

As a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden is interviewed on NBC's "Meet the Press," concerning the war in Iraq on August 14, 2005.

Biden releases his memoir, "Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics," in 2007.

Biden releases his memoir, "Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics," in 2007.

From left, former Sen. John Edwards, Biden, Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton at a debate of Democratic presidential candidates on April 26, 2007, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

From left, former Sen. John Edwards, Biden, Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton at a debate of Democratic presidential candidates on April 26, 2007, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Biden speaks after being introduced as Obama's running mate while campaigning together after the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Biden speaks after being introduced as Obama's running mate while campaigning together after the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Biden and President-elect Barack Obama wave to the crowd at their election night party at Grant Park in Chicago on November 4, 2008.

Biden and President-elect Barack Obama wave to the crowd at their election night party at Grant Park in Chicago on November 4, 2008.

Biden presides over a ceremony in Baghdad to formally mark the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq on September 1, 2010.

Biden presides over a ceremony in Baghdad to formally mark the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq on September 1, 2010.

Biden is sworn in for his second term as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with his wife, Jill, and son, Beau, by his side, on January 21, 2013, in Washington.

Biden is sworn in for his second term as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with his wife, Jill, and son, Beau, by his side, on January 21, 2013, in Washington.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden began his career in politics in 1972, winning election to the Senate at the age of 29 (he was 30 when he took office). The Delaware Democrat was reelected to the Senate six times, including 2008, before becoming the 47th vice president of the United States.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden began his career in politics in 1972, winning election to the Senate at the age of 29 (he was 30 when he took office). The Delaware Democrat was reelected to the Senate six times, including 2008, before becoming the 47th vice president of the United States.

A Democratic party source familiar with White House thinking said inside the West Wing "brain trust," there is concern that a Biden run "would not have the right outcome" and potentially damage the vice president's carefully cultivated brand of respected Democratic Party elder statesman.

"I'm not getting any sense of a Joe Biden caucus inside the White House," the well-placed Democratic source said.

The White House has been heavily invested in Hillary Clinton's candidacy since long before the current round of speculation about a Biden run.

White House invested in Clinton campaign

Forget the golf outings and glamorous parties on Martha's Vineyard attended by both the Obamas and Clintons over the weekend. The Obama and Clinton camps are much more aligned than that.

Several top-level Obama aides have left the administration to work for Clinton, including former counselor to the President John Podesta and former Obama Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri. Plus, Democratic strategists both inside and outside the White House say the former secretary of state, not the Vice President, is now seen as the best hope of protecting and expanding the president's legacy.

Photos: Who's running for president? Photos: Who's running for president? Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, John Kasich, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, Hide Caption 1 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president?



"So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement. Businessman Donald Trump announced June 16 at his Trump Tower in New York City that he is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. This ends more than two decades of flirting with the idea of running for the White House."So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement. Hide Caption 2 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president?



"These are all of our stories," Cruz told the audience at Liberty University in Virginia. "These are who we are as Americans. And yet for so many Americans, the promise of America seems more and more distant." Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has made a name for himself in the Senate, solidifying his brand as a conservative firebrand willing to take on the GOP's establishment. He announced he was seeking the Republican presidential nomination in a speech on March 23."These are all of our stories," Cruz told the audience at Liberty University in Virginia. "These are who we are as Americans. And yet for so many Americans, the promise of America seems more and more distant." Hide Caption 3 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president? Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined the Republican field July 21 as he formally announced his White House bid.



"I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support ... because I have decided to run for president of the United States," Kasich told his kickoff rally at the Ohio State University. Hide Caption 4 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president?



"Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey." Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid on April 12 through a video message on social media. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state is considered the front-runner among possible Democratic candidates."Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey." Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: Who's running for president?



"This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26. Sen. Bernie Sanders , an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, announced his run in an email to supporters on April 30. He has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans to take back control of the government from billionaires."This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26. Hide Caption 6 of 6

For example, President Barack Obama would love to see universal pre-K become the law of the land, but he's realistic that that will never happen with a Republican Congress. "Maybe Hillary will get that," the president has been quoted as saying in meetings.

Another important sign that Clinton's campaign has Obama's seal of approval was the placement of former deputy White House chief of staff and Obama campaign manager Jim Messina as head of pro-Clinton super PAC Priorities USA.

Messina would never have gotten had that job "without the boss's approval," a Clinton source said.

Clinton success could be linked to Obama

Clinton has also become invested in a successful end to the Obama presidency.

"She needs us to do well more than we do," one White House official quipped recently, underscoring the importance of the last 18 months of the Obama presidency to the Democratic frontrunner.

After dismissing the Obama foreign policy mantra of "don't do stupid stuff" as "not an organizing principle" to the Atlantic Magazine last year, Clinton has embraced much of the President's agenda oversees, from the Iran nuclear deal to the normalization of relations with Cuba.

Clinton may stake out a "10 to 15% difference" from the president on policy issues during the course of her campaign, one Clinton confidante said.

"This is her biggest risk," the confidante added, saying Clinton is all but running as Obama's vice president.

Biden could change all of that. One top Democratic strategist said she's "not putting any money" on whether Biden will run, noting that decision will likely come from the Vice President's gut.

Despite the torrent of speculation about Biden's future, the current thinking inside the White House is that he will stay on the sidelines in 2016, after some well-deserved soul searching. A Biden candidacy is "not a conversation" people are having inside the White House, that well-placed Democratic source said.

"My understanding from the people closest to him is that all of them would be very surprised if he were to do this," the source added.

Biden spent part of his vacation last week in South Carolina considering a White House run.

Late September Deadline

Since then, he has traveled to his home base of Delaware. But a decision is expected by the end of the summer, this source said -- not the end of August, as some people think of summer, but by Sept. 23.

Setting aside the real concerns about the outcome of a Biden candidacy, there remains great affection for the vice president inside the White House.

Top aides to the president have said repeatedly in recent weeks that Obama considers his selection of Biden as his running mate in 2008 the smartest political decision he's ever made.

"The Vice President has been uniquely suited for this role. He's somebody that had a long career as a fighter for the middle class," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters earlier this month.

"The Vice President has earned the right to make a decision for himself on his own timeline about whether or not to pursue a campaign for the presidency in 2016," Earnest added.

With the Vice President spending the day in Delaware, there may be speculation that Biden is nearing a decision on running. A source familiar with the Vice President's thinking cautions that is not the case.