Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden has denied planning to serve just one term if he beats Donald Trump in next year’s election.
The 77-year-old ex-vice president spoke out after a report quoted his advisers as saying it was “virtually inconceivable” he would run for re-election.
“I don’t have plans on one term. I’m not even there yet,” he told reporters.
According to Politico, Mr Biden’s campaign advisers have been discussing whether he should pledge to serve a single term and choose a much younger and more diverse running mate to win over younger voters and combat concerns about his age.
Going public with the vow was reportedly rejected, but a senior Biden adviser was quoted as saying: “If Biden is elected, he’s going to be 82-years-old in four years and he won’t be running for re-election.”
His campaign was quick to respond. “This is not a conversation our campaign is having and not something VP Biden is thinking about,” tweeted deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield.
With rival Kamala Harris dropping out of the race due to a lack of funds and Elizabeth Warren’s popularity levelling out after a brief surge, Mr Biden is back in prime position to take on Mr Trump.
“I think he should make the one-term pledge privately to himself and his wife and no one else,” a senior Democratic strategist told Politico. “If you begin your first day as president as a lame duck, it changes everything.”
As the impeachment hearings against Mr Trump continued, Democrats were incensed today after Republican congressman Louie Gohmert publicly named the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the probe.
Democrat congressman Don Beyer said naming the CIA official was an “incredible and outrageous breach”.
The Democrat-led House is expected to vote for impeachment next week, leading to a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate next year. Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
