Story highlights Vice President Joe Biden has been calling operatives about how -- not whether -- to launch a presidential bid

"His family is totally on board," one top Democrat who has spoken to Biden this week told CNN,

(CNN) Vice President Joe Biden has personally made a series of calls this week to Democratic strategists from Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, asking a final round of detailed questions about how -- not whether -- to launch a 2016 presidential campaign.

People familiar with the conversations tell CNN that Biden has been making the calls throughout the week, including on Wednesday, just as many leading Democrats argued the window to a potential candidacy was closing in the wake of Hillary Clinton's strong performance in the party's first presidential debate. He is asking these people to work for him if he runs.

Photos: The first Democratic debate Photos: The first Democratic debate Democratic presidential candidates take the stage before debating in Las Vegas on Tuesday, October 13. From left are former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee. Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate An audience member watches the debate, which was the first Democratic debate of this election cycle. Hide Caption 2 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate Sanders speaks during the debate. CNN's Mark Preston said Sanders' opening remarks "hit on all of the hot-button liberal issues: Take back the government from billionaires, climate change. He all but said it is time for a revolution." Hide Caption 3 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate Clinton is the national front-runner in the Democratic race. "I would not ask anyone to vote for me based on my last name," she said during the debate. "I'm campaigning because I think I have the right combination of what Americans are looking for ... and I can take the fight to Republicans." Hide Caption 4 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate Webb listens to moderator Anderson Cooper during the debate. Webb is a former Marine who also served as secretary of the U.S. Navy. "You may be sure that in a Webb administration, the highest priority will be the working people who every day go out and make this country stronger at home, and who give us the right reputation and security overseas under a common-sense foreign policy," Webb said. Hide Caption 5 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate O'Malley faces the camera while delivering remarks. He went after Sanders on gun control early in the debate, and -- in what could be interpreted as a veiled swipe at Clinton -- he said, "I am very clear about my principles." Hide Caption 6 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate Chafee touted his experience, saying he is the only candidate who has been a mayor, senator and governor. "I have had no scandals. I've always been honest. I have the courage to take the long-term view, and I've shown good judgment," he said in his opening statement. Hide Caption 7 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate One of the debate's memorable moments was when Sanders and Clinton shook hands following Sanders' take on the Clinton email scandal. "Let me say something that may not be great politics, but the secretary is right -- and that is that the American people are sick and tired of hearing about the damn emails," Sanders said. "Enough of the emails, let's talk about the real issues facing the United States of America." Hide Caption 8 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate Audience members watch the debate. Hide Caption 9 of 10 Photos: The first Democratic debate The Democratic field this year is less than half the size of the Republican field. Hide Caption 10 of 10

The vice president has been making clear that his family is fully supportive of him jumping into the 2016 race, according to people familiar with the calls. They are guided by the belief that he has the best chance of keeping the White House in Democratic hands and he could forever regret taking a pass at another shot at the presidency.

The new round of calls this week -- from the vice president himself, not simply his top advisers -- suggest Biden is finally moving toward announcing a decision. He has been down this road before, inching close to a run but pulling back, so his next steps are far from certain.

Biden has not shared the timing of his decision or announcement with people he is calling this week. One senior party official said the announcement is expected in the next three days, while other Democrats say Biden may wait for a week or more. He will reveal his decision before month's end.

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