A new poll out from the Des Moines Register and CNN shows little movement in the horserace for the Democratic frontrunner for president. Former Vice President Joe Biden is leading, followed closely by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. From there it drops off quickly.
At this stage of the race, poll results can often be attributed to name recognition. Biden and Sanders certainly have that. But Joe Biden has yet to join the race. Word is he’s all but decided to jump in but will wait until next month to make a formal announcement. In the meantime, he’s been on the Caribbean island of St. Croix mulling over options for fundraising. Even at this early stage, he’s already behind. From The Associated Press:
“On the cusp of another White House run, Joe Biden faces a daunting challenge that could complicate his path to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination: money.
“Those close to the former vice president believe he would start off at a fundraising disadvantage compared to would-be rivals, whose campaigns have benefited from an early flood of small-dollar donations from the most liberal wing of the party. Biden, a 76-year-old lifetime politician with strong connections to the party’s establishment, would be forced to rely on an ‘old-school grind-it-out’ plan to generate campaign cash from wealthy individual donors, according to a person with direct knowledge of Biden’s thinking.”
Before Biden joins the race, Beto O’Rourke is expected to announce his candidacy, perhaps as soon as this week. His campaign has sent out word of a “big announcement” to come soon.
