7 Reasons Joe Biden Would Be A Great President

In stark contrast to the almost uncomfortably crowded Republican primary field, the Democratic pool is occupied by just a handful of candidates, and dominated by just one. In other words, it could use a jolt of life to shake things up. And who's more lively and better at shaking things up than Joe Biden? After months of speculation, the vice president could now be on the verge of announcing a presidential bid, and it could be just what the Democratic field needs. Not only would his campaign breathe fresh air into a rather stale field (at least compared to the many bonkers Republican candidates), but there's another reason we need the VP to run: Joe Biden would make a great president.

Over the weekend, a New York Times story reported that, according to his advisers, Biden and his associates are now seriously exploring a campaign, reaching out to Democratic donors and campaign staffers who have not committed to Hillary Clinton. Since the beginning of the year, the vice president has been dropping hints about a possible run, suggesting on ABC in January that "there's a chance," telling CNN that there's no reason for him not to run, and announcing in February that he'd make his decision at the end of the summer.

However, what he didn't foresee then was that he'd lose his eldest son, Beau, to brain cancer in May. But while some expected the tragic loss to deter Biden from pursuing a run, it might have instead been the final push he needed.

According to Maureen Dowd's NYT column, it was Beau's final wish to see his father run for president in 2016. There's perhaps no reason more compelling than that for Biden to run, but in case he's still on the fence, here are seven reasons the rest of America needs a Biden presidency, too.

1. He Has A Lifetime Of Political Experience

With a political career that dates back to the early '70s, Biden has served in numerous capacities, from senator to a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to, of course, vice president of the United States. As the latter, Biden has been instrumental in handling just about every important issue that the president has grappled with, from social upheaval following incidents like Ferguson to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing battle against ISIS. He has likely had more in-the-field and in-the-trenches experience than any other candidate, including Hillary.

2. He's Pro-Women

One of the most notable achievements of Biden's time as a senator is the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994. It was the first piece of federal legislation that recognized domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes, and it provided federal funding to investigate and prosecute such crimes.

3. He's Pro Equal Rights

Biden has always been a champion of equal rights, notably telling Meet the Press in 2012 that he's "absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women and heterosexual men marrying women are entitled to the same exact rights."

4. He Fights For The Working And Middle Classes

Biden has also been a champion of both the working and middle classes. His own upbringing was among the blue-collar set, as his father was a used car salesman. After mounting his presidential campaign on messages of putting the working class first, President Obama appointed Biden chairman of the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families in 2009.

5. He's Trustworthy

In a July 30 Quinnipiac poll, 58 percent of voters found Biden to be trustworthy and honest, while 57 percent felt that he cared about their best interests. In contrast, 57 percent of voters said they did not find Clinton to be honest and trustworthy, and 52 percent felt she didn't care about them.

6. He'd Be Great At Boosting Morale

Anyone who's familiar with Biden knows how charismatic and magnetic the man is. With an unapologetic penchant for joking, flirting (remember his adorable flirting with the centenarian veteran?), and generally lighting up every room he enters, Biden would be the best candidate for boosting morale, even during the darkest of times.

7. He Tells It Like It Is Without Coming Off As Brash Or Insane

In line with Biden's jocular disposition is his knack for no-nonsense straight talk. Biden would give it to America straight, but his bluntness would be based on reason, not extremist political ideology. In other words, he's not Donald Trump.

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