(USA TODAY) -- Vice President Biden says it's too early to decide whether he will run for
president in 2016 -- there's too much left to do under President Obama.
"There are a whole lot of reasons why I
wouldn't run," Biden
told CNN. " I haven't made that decision and I
don't have to make that decision for a while."
The veep added: "In the meantime, there's one
thing I know I have to do no matter what I do. I have to help this president
move this country to the next stage."
Speculation about Biden's political future
highlighted inaugural weekend.
Biden himself fueled much of the talk, thanks to his appearance at an
inaugural party for Iowans -- who will open the 2016 contest with caucuses -- to
his animated hand-shaking during Monday's parade on Pennsylvania Avenue.
One factor in Biden's decision: Will soon-to-depart Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton also seek the presidency in three years?
"Look, I haven't made that judgment and Hillary hasn't made that judgment,"
Biden said on CNN. "But I can tell you what, everything that should be done over
the next two years that I should be part of would have to be done whether I run
or I don't run."
Again, he noted: " If this administration is successful, whoever is running
as a Democrat is better position to win. If we are not successful, whoever runs
as a nominee is going to be less likely to win."
David Jackson, USA TODAY