Exclusive: Biden shows up at the White House, according to Dem's lawmaker

Former Vice President Joe BidenJoseph (Joe) Robinette BidenFeehery: Dems membership of socialism makes inevitable a reelection of Trump Press: Which way will follow Dems in 2020? According to a GOP investigator, Biden, the Sanders question little about their notoriety MORE presidential candidate in 2020, said on Tuesday at The Hill a senior Democratic legislator, an initiative that will upset the Democratic primary squad and make him the undisputed leader of the nomination of his party against President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump: Socialism "on which it is easy to campaign, but difficult to govern" Stone's defense refuses to use a court to advertise for the release of his book Ocasio-Cortez: Trump gives the tone of "misogyny, racism, conspiracy theory".

"I'm trying it," said Biden in a neutral tone, during a phone call with a Democratic House legislator over the past week – a conversation that the congressman has related to The Hill and interpreted as a sure sign that Biden will rush 2020.

During a brief telephone call, the former vice president asked him if he could exchange campaign strategy ideas with the legislator and invited him to attend. sit down with him in person in the near future. Biden also said he hoped to have the support of the legislator, which the legislature did not commit.

Biden responded that there was no harm in continuing to speak, according to the lawmaker who spoke to The Hill under the guise of anonymity because of the delicate nature of the telephone conversation .

Mr. Biden did not release details about when or where he planned to make his official presidential statement, the legislator said. Biden and his wife, Jill, have just returned from vacation to St. Croix, in the Caribbean, where they would have discussed potential pitfalls and begun to finalize their plans, reported the Associated Press.

Biden spokesman Bill Russo refuted the idea that the former vice president is absolutely at large: "He did not make a final decision. No change."

But at an event with firefighters on Tuesday morning, Biden teased the 2020 presidential race as the crowd chanted: "Run, Joe, Run!"

"I appreciate the energy that you all showed when I arrived here," Biden told an energetic crowd at the annual conference of the International Association of Fire Fighters in Washington, DC "Save still a little, I might need it in a few weeks. Pay attention to what you want. "

His entry into the race was widely expected. Over the past few weeks, 76-year-old Biden has laid the groundwork for what would be his third and last presidential bid, seeking the support of Democratic donors, lawmakers and others in his political circle. .

Biden, who served as vice-president of President Obama for two terms, has also assembled a team of campaign advisers, who decides to launch an offer at the White House, which is expected to take place in early April.

Sources in the Senate and in the House said Biden has been increasingly contacting Capitol Hill's allies in recent weeks, discussing what his candidacy might look like. The Democrats said Biden had explained how he could win the primary, saying that a growing Democratic group would favor him and that because of his appeal to blue-collar workers, he would be the most powerful candidate for beat. Trump in a general election.

representative Cedric RichmondCedric Levon of Richmond, according to CCAP participants, Biden is the biggest threat to Trump. The Morning's Morning – Emergency Statement Testing GOP Fidelity to Trump The Hill's Morning Report – What to Watch for While the Mueller Probe Slows Down MORE (D-La.), Former President of the Congressional Black Caucus, spoke regularly with Biden and urged him to participate in the race. Richmond said he thought Biden was "95 percent" engaged in call management and coordinated calls between Biden and other members of Congress. Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonNielsen testifies: Five things to know: Dem to Trump, official: "White babies would not be treated the same way as their colored babies" Pence uses the New York Times, the Washington Post to defend the affirmation of the border crisis of Trump PLUS (D-Miss.) Stated that he had been informed that he was on a "call list" and that Biden would soon communicate with him.

A source familiar with Biden's thinking says that all this is part of the former vice president's mission to "tick all the boxes" before officially announcing his candidacy.

"He's basically in. He's just throwing the traps, as he says," the source said.

In an interview Monday with CBS, Democratic Sen. Christopher CoonsChristopher (Chris) Andrew Coons Sixteen years later, let's finally listen to the 9/11 commission's appeal. Senate Senators Introduce Legislation Requiring a Report on Trump's Killing of Khashoggi During an Abortion at a Private Meeting: Report PLUS, who now occupies the Delaware Senate seat, Biden, held for 36 years, said he was "confident" that Biden would show up.

"If he succeeds, he is the favorite," conceded a legislator from the second democratic chamber, which has already approved another presidential candidate. "This is the standard that others will have to face in terms of political knowledge, in terms of the ability to run a presidential campaign, and people close to it in polls will have to compare themselves to Biden's forces."

representative Gerry ConnollyGerald (Gerry) Edward ConnollyDems struggles to turn Omar's controversy over Requests for Cohen's forgiveness multiply (D-Va.), A former Biden staff member in the 1980s, did not talk to Biden recently, but said nothing prevented his former boss from running for office.

"At this point in his life, he does not have much to lose and has a lot to gain. And it has a lot to offer the country, "Connolly told The Hill, outside the Capitol. "After this scourge, it offers the possibility of a desperately needed cure in this country."

A new survey from the University of Monmouth had Biden leading the pack, with 28% of Democratic voters likely to support him in the primaries. Sen. Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) SandersTrump: The struggle against socialism to socialism is easy, but difficult to govern »Trump is trying to win votes in the senate Senate Hillicon Valley: the United States threaten to withhold information from Germany on Huawei | GOP Senator Targets FTC on Privacy | Bipartite Bill to Strengthen Security of the Internet of Things | Privacy groups seize suspended NSA program | Tesla turns around MORE (I-Vt.) Finished second, with 25%, followed by Sens. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisTrump: Socialism "on which to campaign is easy, but difficult to govern" Feehery membership: Dems to socialism makes inevitable a reelection of Trump Press: Which way will follow Dems in 2020? MORE (D-Calif.), With 10 percent, and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenTrump: Socialism "easy to campaign but hard to govern" restores Warren's suppressed ads for criticizing the Feehery platform: Dems »Trump's re-election by socialism makes it inevitable to re-elect Trump MORE (D-Mass.), With 8 percent.

But it will not be easy for Biden. Democrats are worried that even if he would run as a strong candidate in the general election, he would have a rough time in the primaries because the party and many of his potential presidential rivals were fired from the polls. more and more to the left.

The former vice president will also face opposition-worthy research for several decades, including his comments on the crime bill and his vote on the war. in Iraq, who describe Biden as disconnected from the Democratic Party. And at the time of "Me Too", he will be criticized for dealing with Anita Hill when he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee during confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

A Democratic legislator who spoke with Biden last week and encouraged him to run, said the former vice president was about to announce his candidacy for the White House, with the exception of some unforeseen complications.

"It is 95%, but not 100%," said the Democratic legislator. "He wants to make sure the due diligence is done, but it's not a secret that he wants to go."

Despite the swarm of Senators already in the race – Sanders, Harris and Warren, as well as Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerPress: Where are the Dems going in 2020? According to a GOP investigator, Biden, Sanders is worried about the reputation of O 'Rourke's reputation in the prospect of a trip to Iowa before the announcement. 2020: PLUS report (D-N.J.), Kirsten GillibrandKirsten Elizabeth GillibrandPress: Where are the Dems going in 2020? The Hill & # 39; s 12:30 Report: Trump unveils his wish list with interior cuts and defense hikes in the defense budget (D-N.Y.) And Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharTrump: Socialism "on which to campaign is easy, but difficult to govern" Press: Which way will follow Dems in 2020? US complaints about advanced technologies have not hurt companies, says GOP MORE (D-Min.) – A Democratic senator is hoping Biden will join the group.

"I like it," said the senator at The Hill, "and I think he has a unique ability to form bonds with Rust Belt Americans who feel left out of the hands of the government. ".