Joe Biden may announce his candidacy for President in the 2020 election

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The former Vice President told a senior Democratic official he is likely to run and his aides have said he must move quickly in the Democratic primary, insiders told the New York Times. Mr Biden is said to be under pressure from party donors to make up his mind no later than the end of January, or risk losing their support. The news comes after Senator Elizabeth Warren announced her candidacy on December 31.

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Over the Christmas holiday, Mr Biden spent some time in the US Virgin Islands calling and texting potential supporters.

In one of these calls he reportedly said: “If you can persuade me there is somebody better who can win, I’m happy not to do it.”

He added: “But I don’t see the candidate who can clearly do what has to be done to win.”

This week he is said to be holding private meetings in Washington with Democratic officials.