With Biden out, Hillary Clinton strengthens grip on Democratic race

Heidi M. Przybyla | USA TODAY

It may be remembered as the moment when Hillary Clinton’s grip on the Democratic nomination became firm.

Vice President Biden’s decision not to challenge her front-runner status clears the way for Clinton to shore up support from 2016 primary voters who viewed him as a better alternative — but who are unlikely to support Sen. Bernie Sanders, the self-described democratic socialist from Vermont.

In a statement following Biden's announcement, the Democratic front-runner credited Biden with helping to save the auto industry and pulling the economy back from the brink of depression: "It’s a record to be proud of, defend, and build on. And I am confident that history isn’t finished with Joe Biden."

Clinton called Biden a "good man and a great vice president."

"And if I know Joe, he will always be on the front-lines, always fighting for all of us," she said.

In his speech, Biden did not endorse Clinton, and even appeared to take a swipe over a comment she made at last week's Democratic debate about Republicans being her enemy.

It’s a slight that does not help her, yet it’s also unlikely to stop Biden’s would-be voters from lining up behind Clinton, said Julian Zelizer, a U.S. politics expert at Princeton University.

"She’s been waiting for the all-systems go. Without Biden running she can now concentrate all her firepower on co-opting Bernie Sanders’ message and focusing voter attention on the fact that she’s the one who can defeat the Republican nominee,’’ Zelizer said.

In the immediate aftermath of Biden’s announcement, Clinton supporters, led by some of the top female lawmakers in Congress, sent out expressions of admiration for the vice president. Even some of Clinton’s Republican challengers quipped that the move is decisive in clearing her path for the Democratic nomination. Republican Ben Carson said, "It pretty much guarantees Hillary is who we will run against."

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus described Biden’s decision not to enter the race as "a major blow for Democrats.’’

Biden "was the most formidable general election candidate the Democrat Party could have fielded, and his decision not to challenge Hillary Clinton greatly improves our chances,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, top Democrats focused their reactions on saluting Biden's career.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi took to Twitter to say "Biden is an all-American patriot and a middle-class warrior!’’

.@VP Biden is an all-American patriot and a middle-class warrior! — Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) October 21, 2015

California Sen. Barbara Boxer last week suggested Biden should not challenge Clinton following the former secretary of State’s widely praised debate performance in Las Vegas. She was among the first members of Congress to praise him following his decision to sit out the 2016 race.

"I know this decision was a very difficult one for him, and I am so glad he will continue speaking out strongly about the importance of building on the success of this administration,’’ said Boxer.

Biden made his announcement a day before Clinton testifies before a House Benghazi committee that could also be a critical moment in her campaign.

Biden said he concluded that time had run out to mount a credible bid. National polls show Clinton remains the strong favorite, with at least a 20-point lead over Sanders in many polls. She’s also erased Sanders’ advantage in the one state where he was leading her, according to a new survey out of New Hampshire.

Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist and former aide to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, said on Fox News that Biden "had no money. He had no fundraising. He had no political operation.’’

Biden made clear he was not declining a run in order to clear a path for Clinton.

In addition to expressing his plan to remain engaged in the political process, Biden appeared to jab at Clinton for her comments last week about Republicans.

"I don't think we should look at Republicans as our enemies. They are our opposition. They're not our enemies,’’ he said.

Former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, a Democrat, said any bitterness between Biden and his supporters and the Clinton campaign is unlikely to linger. Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill took to Twitter to clarify that Clinton called Biden after his Rose Garden speech.

"I don’t think Joe will keep it up, if it was his intention,’’ Rendell said on MSNBC. "He knows that Hillary Clinton’s going to be the nominee’’ and "preserve the Obama-Biden legacy.’’

There was just no political space for the vice president to get in, he said.

"I’m not sure he had the heart for what essentially had to become a very personal campaign,’’ said Rendell.

Follow @HeidiPrzybyla on Twitter.