Joe Biden Won't Run For President, He Announced

Vice president Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he will not run for president, bringing an end to months of speculation that he and Hillary Clinton could face-off in a blistering presidential primary clash that would have damaged the chances of Democrats retaining the White House.

Biden, with his wife, Jill, by his side, made the announcement flanked by President Barack Obama in the White House Rose Garden.

Biden made clear he will still be active in the current election cycle.

“While I will not be a candidate,” Biden said, “I will not be silent.”

Political pundits were conflicted whether Biden would run or not.

The vice president had prolonged his decision following the death of his son, Beau, in May.

“As my family and I have worked through the grieving process, I’ve said all along what I’ve said time and again to others, that it may very well be that the process by the time we get through it closes the window,” Biden said. “I’ve concluded it has closed.”

Clinton’s top challenger left is Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is still significantly trailing her in the latest national polls.

A CNN poll released Monday showed Clinton polling at 45 percent among registered democrats, with Sanders at 29.