CNBC reporter and contributor for the New York Times John Harwood sent several emails in 2015 to Clinton adviser John Podesta asking if he thought Democratic Vice President Joe Biden would announce his candidacy for president against Clinton.
“Do you believe Biden is ‘leaning toward running?'” Harwood asked Podesta in August of 2015. Podesta finally responded two weeks later with a simple, “not sure.”
Harwood struck back later in August, asking if there was any “genuine change” in the possibility of Biden entering the race.
“Not really,” Podesta responded. “I think he’ll hang back unless she explodes and that won’t happen just because your friends at the NYT wish it so. BTW, do you think it ever crossed Maureen’s mind that Biden would view her column as graceless, tasteless and painful?”
There was no immediate response from Harwood.
Harwood resumed the questioning again in October of 2015, asking “How are you feeling about where things stand?” and “Still agree with me that Biden’s not running?”
Podesta finally relented with the information, “I think he is leaving to doing it but may get cold feet.”
Harwood then said, “wow, that would shock me. So counterproductive for him.”
“I’ve never believed he would run and still don’t. Do you?” Harwood asked Podesta two weeks later.
Biden announced he would not run for president on Oct. 26, 2015, only a few days after Harwood’s final email.
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