Many people who think Biden should jump into the Democratic presidential race justify the idea by saying "he is the incumbent VP, of course he'd do well" or "he has [some sort of right] to be in the race [and/or be the nominee]." They cite Al Gore and George HW Bush, who both sowed up the nomination easily (or so we're told). Some even suggest Hillary is "usurping" Biden. We're given "he polls better" (even tho he's not a candidate). Or he's "less polarizing."
As other attacks against Hillary (or advocacy for her opponents only because of their opposition and not because of true substance), this idea lacks any serious historical analysis.
Lets rewind to George Bush Sr. and Al Gore. Both Bush I and Gore (who both won the most popular votes in their election) had exploratory committees before mid-year of the year prior to the nomination (1987 and 1999, respectively). The both declared their official candidacies in the summer. Even other candidates, who might declare late, had exploratory committees long before.
In other words, Al Gore and George HW Bush did not think they had to do no work to get the nomination. They did the hard work; they raised money, raised organization, and built support. They fought rough campaigns too; at several points in 1987, Bush Sr. also had very low favorability numbers (lower than Trump or Hillary today). Al Gore was fighting Bradley hard in much of 1999. Bradley was doing better in the endorsement primary in 1999 than Sanders is doing today.
In other words, just because someone is Veep, they do not have some entitlement, right, you name it to the nomination. You can't be Fred Thompson, think you'll jump in late bc the media wants you to, and run away with it. Sorry, but if Joe were running, he'd have formed an exploratory committee by now, like other candidates, VP or not VP.
So let's end this bs game, or at the least, not participate in the media's game.