It’s certainly possible to run for president and fail and then go on to have a career that is distinguished and fulfilling enough to wipe out the embarrassment and disappointment. I think Teddy Kennedy accomplished this. I think John Kerry is in the process of accomplishing it. But, all things being equal, running for president and losing turns you into a sad character. You can easily become somewhat ridiculous and worthy of pity, and this can became your enduring legacy which wipes out all your previous accomplishments and successes. What do people think about when they discuss George McGovern or Walter Mondale or Michael Dukakis or Mitt Romney?
Did their presidential bids do anything positive for Fred Thompson or Rudy Giuliani or Phil Gramm?
Whether you win the nomination like Al Gore or lose it like Bill Bradley, what people remember is that you didn’t become the president.
Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey could be remembered as legendary senators and sitting vice-presidents, but they are instead remembered as complete, devastating failures for the left. Hillary Clinton has had the most remarkable career of any woman in American political history, but she’s at risk of blowing two chances of becoming the first woman president, and that would be her most significant legacy.
So, I don’t think we can say that Joe Biden has nothing to lose by making a run for the presidency. If he slips into retirement, he’ll be remembered with near-universal fondness. While he did suffer two humiliating defeats when he ran for president, that was largely erased when he was elected as vice-president. His Senate career was hugely successful and his popularity in his home state never waned.
If he makes a third run at the presidency and doesn’t win, that will muck up a posterity that’s looking pretty golden right now.
It will also, to some degree, amount to a rejection of a third term for Obama, which will tarnish his legacy ever so slightly.
This doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t run. Let’s be clear, though, that if he makes the decision to throw his hat in the ring it won’t be risk-free. The risk-free thing is to rest on his considerable laurels and bask in the good will he’s earned as one of the most popular and well-liked senators and vice-presidents in history.
