President Biden for most of his life has engaged in a near-quadrennial regimen of deciding whether he can, should or will run for president — giving perhaps more thought, over a longer period of time, to that question than anyone in American history.
He’s about to undertake a similar process in the coming months, one that will involve discussions with his wife, Jill — perhaps in quiet moments during their upcoming vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Del. — along with considerations of how a run would affect his family, including potential congressional investigations of his son.
But as the president weighs his options, according to those close to him, one person looms largest over his decision: the man he’s often tried to ignore, the one whose legacy he’s worked to erase, the one he’s simply called “the former guy.”
Biden was motivated to run for office in large part because he saw himself as best positioned to defeat Donald Trump. He still considers knocking Trump out of the White House one of his major contributions to America’s welfare. And with Trump looming as the potential Republican nominee — he’s eyeing a September announcement — Biden maintains that he is still best positioned to beat him.
Biden may seek reelection in any case, people in his inner circle say, but if Trump runs, Biden is far more likely to do so. And if Trump holds off, it will be far easier for other Democrats to approach Biden about letting someone else take on a younger Republican nominee.
“I’m not...
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