Washington, Aug 27
Mulling a 2016 presidential bid, Vice President Joe Biden has said that he\'s not sure he has the \"emotional fuel\" for another political campaign, while Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton does not see him as much of a threat.

Biden acknowledged during a conference call with Democratic National Committee members Wednesday that his 46-year-old son Beau\'s recent death from cancer has had an impact on questions about his political future.

\"We\'re dealing at home with ... whether or not there is the emotional fuel at this time to run,\" Biden was quoted as saying by CBS News.

\"If I were to announce to run, I have to be able to commit to all of you that I would be able to give it my whole heart and my whole soul, and right now, both are pretty well banged up.\"

Addressing the speculation about Biden\'s possible entry into the presidential race, Clinton said Wednesday that she\'s seen \"no evidence\" that it might undermine her considerable support among Democrats.

She has \"a great deal of admiration and respect\" for Biden, Clinton told reporters in Iowa.

But \"He has to make a very difficult decision for himself and his family, and he should have the space and opportunity to decide what he wants to do.\"

Speculation about Biden\'s entry has grown of late with questions being raised over Clinton\'s use of a private email server as secretary of state.

Though media reports suggest that President Barack Obama has \"blessed\" Biden\'s bid for a presidential run, the White House has stopped short of making a public endorsement.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Monday that Obama believes putting Joe Biden on the ticket in 2008 was the smartest decision he\'s made in politics.

\"I think that should give you some sense of the president\'s view of Vice President Biden\'s aptitude for the top job,\" Earnest said.

Asked whether Obama feels more inclined to support Clinton than Biden, press secretary Josh repeated his comments about Biden Wednesday.

At the same time, Earnest recalled that Obama \"has certainly spoken quite warmly of Secretary Clinton, her leadership, her performance as Secretary of State.\"

\"And I think it would be fair for you to assume from those public comments that he believes that she would be an excellent President.\"

\"But he certainly has not made any sort of public endorsement in the Democratic primary at this point,\" Earnest said.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that the possibility of Biden\'s entry is \"convulsing\" the network of wealthy Democrats that financed Obama\'s two White House bids.

A sizable number of party financiers are contemplating backing Biden, including some who have signed on with Clinton, the influential daily reported citing a dozen top Democratic fundraisers nationwide.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)

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Clinton sees no threat in a Joe Biden without \\