Ken Berwitz
It\’s a quarter to three, there\’s no one in the place except you and me,So set \’em up Joe, I\’ve got a little story that you oughta know…
Harold A. Schaitberger, the president of the powerfulInternational Association of Fire Fighters, spoke Friday morning with VicePresident Joe Biden, who strongly indicated in the phone conversation that heis planning to run for president, a source familiar with the discussion said.
The IAFF is one of the most influential labor groups in theU.S. Biden is especially close to labor, which could be a key constituency forhim if he seeks the White House.
Schaitberger declined to comment on the call, saying he doesnot discuss private conversations. But the source said Biden talked aboutcampaign strategy with Schaitberger and indicated a final decision on whetherhe would run for president is imminent.
1) What happens to Hillary Clinton\’s campaign if Joe Biden jumps into the race – with the immediate endorsement of several major unions (you just read about one of them…but let\’s remember that other major unions, such as the AFL-CIO, Teamsters and SEIU have all held off endorsing Ms. Clinton)?
How do you figure this will play among union workers and union supporters?
2) What happens when President Obama either endorses his loyal Vice President outright, or – as is more likely – does not endorse him in so many words, but makes it eminently clear that Mr. Biden is his choice?
Well, that\’s how it goes,And, Joe, I know you\’re gettin\’ anxious to close…
