Bob Sparks: Joe Biden’s Florida visit starts decision-making tour

Vice President Joe Biden visited Florida this week supposedly to do what vice presidents do. He came to raise money for Democrats and talk about a college readiness policy initiative on behalf of President Obama.

The media interest in his Florida stop centered not on the traditional role of a vice president, but whether he might join the race for president. Miami was the first stop on a multi-city tour that runs through Labor Day.

Biden dropped by Miami Dade College on Wednesday to discuss a policy proposal that would allow community college students to earn free tuition if they meet certain criteria. This initiative would be financed by another wealth redistribution scheme.

(Before going any further, a timeout is warranted. Those choosing to read any further will not see personal attacks or a mockery of Joe Biden.

(The personal tragedies visited upon this man, including the recent loss of his son, are something no husband or father should ever be called upon to endure. One can disagree with his political views, but criticism of the vice president should exclusively involve policy and vision.

(Republicans and Democrats alike are wishing him well as he deals with his latest sorrow.)

Free community college is not why the media showed up. Politico’s Marc Caputo provided the brethren’s motives from the get-go.

“The Joe Biden Show kicked off in the most important county in the most important swing state on Wednesday as the vice president gave a speech that the political world watched rather than listened to,” he wrote.

Biden laid out the plan and the policy for funding the initiative, but coverage universally described it as a campaign-like event. Despite the speech’s content, assignment editors properly dispatched their political team instead of those covering the education beat.

Biden added his own comment on the assembled throng of cameras and reporters.

“Their interest in community colleges impressed me greatly,” he deadpanned. “I hope that is what they are going to write about.”

The vice president is the source of much curiosity. Is this a vibrant or a more subdued Joe Biden still in mourning?

Does he look like he has the fire and the stamina to make the commitment required to pursue the presidency? What did he and Elizabeth Warren talk about recently?

Republicans can thank Biden for a gift he left from his trip. His presence is responsible for knocking the breathless, wall-to-wall Donald Trump coverage behind Biden in print or to the B block in some broadcast media markets. If only for a day.

Can you come back to Florida again tomorrow, Mr. Vice President?

What this shows is political horse races sell. Free college is merely cold facts relegated to editorials.

With the vice president in town, it’s all about the potential contest between the sitting vice president taking on the former secretary of state and the rest of the field.

Need more evidence that sizzle leads? Look at the Republicans.

A Donald Trump news cycle is timed by an hour glass. When the sand runs out, turn it over and he will say something else eminently quotable.

That sells. His past positions on major issues conflicting with current views do not yet seem to matter.

Jeb Bush, on the other hand, is not a flamboyant quote machine. His fellow Floridians know him as someone grounded and immersed in the policy of his positions.

Bush can talk about building successful educational ladders while Trump talks about building border walls with Mexico’s money. Bush’s previous record as a conservative governor does not yet seem to matter.

Biden has a record as a 36-year member of the United States Senate. If he chooses to run for president, he also has a few quotes from his seven years as vice president certain to be revived during a campaign.

He is also known for two previous unsuccessful campaigns. On January 20, 2017, he would be 74, the oldest to assume the office. (Bernie Sanders would be 75.)

While Donald Trump leads the Republican race, more than two-thirds prefer someone other than him. If Biden gets in, he should expect to quickly earn about 30 percent of support from Democrats.

He should expect some of his support to come from those bonding with him through his personal tragedy. But some Democratic insiders say that is what will keep him out of the race.

If he does decide to jump in, the Democratic primary will instantly become more fun with plenty of palace intrigue. Anti-Clinton White House operatives and Obama loyalists would clearly help in any way they could.

When he makes his final decision, free tuition will not be the featured subject matter of that day’s remarks.

Bob Sparks is a business and political consultant based in Tallahassee. Column courtesy of Context Florida.