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Draft Biden: key supporter Dick Harpootlian gives $10,000 to super PAC Draft Biden: key supporter Dick Harpootlian gives $10,000 to super PAC
(35 minutes later)
One of Joe Biden’s most vocal supporters has joined the political committee urging him to run for president amid fresh signs that aides to the US vice president are looking closely at a 2016 campaign. One of Joe Biden’s most vocal supporters has joined the political committee urging him to run for president amid fresh signs that aides to the US vice-president are looking closely at a 2016 campaign.
Dick Harpootlian, former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic party, said he was giving $10,000 to the super political action committee (PAC) Draft Biden and was prepared to donate another $10,000 of his personal funds if asked. He said he was formally endorsing Draft Biden and would immediately begin raising money on its behalf.Dick Harpootlian, former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic party, said he was giving $10,000 to the super political action committee (PAC) Draft Biden and was prepared to donate another $10,000 of his personal funds if asked. He said he was formally endorsing Draft Biden and would immediately begin raising money on its behalf.
Related: Joe Biden aides discussing possible 2016 run with Democratic leaders, report saysRelated: Joe Biden aides discussing possible 2016 run with Democratic leaders, report says
Recent conversations between Biden’s associates and Democratic donors and operatives have led to speculation that he will challenge frontrunner Hillary Clinton for the nomination.Recent conversations between Biden’s associates and Democratic donors and operatives have led to speculation that he will challenge frontrunner Hillary Clinton for the nomination.
Harpootlian has been publicly encouraging Biden to run for president for years. The super PAC isn’t affiliated with Biden and his aides have said they don’t speak to the group’s leaders.Harpootlian has been publicly encouraging Biden to run for president for years. The super PAC isn’t affiliated with Biden and his aides have said they don’t speak to the group’s leaders.
Harpootlian said he decided to make his donation after Josh Alcorn, the top political aide to Biden’s late son and former Delaware attorney general Beau Biden, announced on Sunday that he had joined Draft Biden. Alcorn raised money for Joe Biden’s 2008 presidential campaign and also served in the top fundraising role for Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid’s vast political operation.Harpootlian said he decided to make his donation after Josh Alcorn, the top political aide to Biden’s late son and former Delaware attorney general Beau Biden, announced on Sunday that he had joined Draft Biden. Alcorn raised money for Joe Biden’s 2008 presidential campaign and also served in the top fundraising role for Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid’s vast political operation.
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“The fact he’s now in the project sends a message to me and others that this process is moving forward,” said Harpootlian, whose state has an early primary in the presidential campaign. “Does that mean Joe Biden is going to run? No. But it means at least some folks around him believe they need to get ready in case he does.”“The fact he’s now in the project sends a message to me and others that this process is moving forward,” said Harpootlian, whose state has an early primary in the presidential campaign. “Does that mean Joe Biden is going to run? No. But it means at least some folks around him believe they need to get ready in case he does.”
Biden’s aides have previously sought to dispel the notion that Harpootlian has inside knowledge about Biden’s political plans, despite his long track record of supporting the vice president. Hartpootlian said he had not spoken to Biden since shortly before his son died in May. Biden’s aides have previously sought to dispel the notion that Harpootlian has inside knowledge about Biden’s political plans, despite his long track record of supporting the vice-president. Hartpootlian said he had not spoken to Biden since shortly before his son died in May.
The renewed focus on Biden comes amid some signs of weakness for Clinton, including declines in her favorability ratings among voters in recent polling.The renewed focus on Biden comes amid some signs of weakness for Clinton, including declines in her favorability ratings among voters in recent polling.
In another promising sign for the vice president, longtime Biden supporters in key early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire have said they are holding out hope he will run again. In another promising sign for the vice-president, longtime Biden supporters in key early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire have said they are holding out hope he will run again.