Thursday, September 3, 2015
YOUNGSTOWN
If Vice President Joe Biden opts to run for president, Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras, who’s endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton, said he’d support him.
But Betras said he’s not encouraging Biden to seek the presidency.
“I like the man. I’ve spent time with him. I have a relationship with him,” Betras said of Biden. They spent about an hour together campaigning Aug. 31, 2012, at the Canfield Fair.
That was followed by a phone call and note from Biden to Betras.
“Right now, I support Hillary Clinton 100 percent,” said Betras, who’s never met the Democratic presidential frontrunner. “I plan to max out to her campaign very soon.”
That means Betras will write a $2,700 check to Clinton’s campaign.
Betras’ support of Biden if he got in the race was first reported by the Dayton Daily News.
When asked to comment on what Betras said, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, an early Clinton supporter, said, “I don’t know where the comment came from or why he said it. I’ve learned you can’t manage people’s comments. But I know at the end of the day Dave will be with Hillary. I know he’s prepared to give money to Hillary.”
Ryan, of Howland, D-13th, added, “I love Joe Biden. But there’s no path for him in Ohio to win the Democratic primary. Hillary is the candidate who will win Ohio for us.”
Ryan said he’s “not concerned” that an email controversy facing Clinton for using her private server when she was secretary of state will impact her campaign. Recent polls show her support declining and her unfavorable rating increasing, but Clinton remains in the lead among Democratic presidential candidates.
Biden is mulling a presidential run, but it doesn’t appear he’ll seek the office.
Clinton “is a strong candidate,” Ryan said. “She has a ton of support, particularly in Ohio where they remember her 2008” presidential run in which she beat Barack Obama in the state’s Democratic primary.