Joe Biden likely to skip first Democratic debate

Despite an open invitation to the first Democratic debate in mid-October, Joe Biden isn't expected to jump into the presidential race in time to participate, according to CNN reports.

Sources close to Biden told CNN that the vice president was not preparing for the Las Vegas debate and that his timeline for a decision will likely stretch into late October.

CNN's debate criteria requires candidates garner an average of one percent in three polls published between August 1 and October 10. Biden, who has polled significantly higher than declared candidates like former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, would easily qualify for the debate.

Is Vice President Joe Biden ready to run?

The question of whether to run in 2016 has dogged Biden for the last several months. And Democrats, seeking an alternative to Hillary Clinton, have urged him to consider a presidential campaign.

Fueling further speculation on his 2016 plans, Biden has continued meeting with strategists and political advisers about the timing for a potential White House run. And despite Biden's open grappling with the question of whether he had the emotional reserves for a bid, several Democratic fundraisers have already pledged their support for the vice president should he run.

Even his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, has said she would support him if he decided to launch a presidential campaign.

James Gleeson, Dr. Biden's spokesperson, told CBS News in a statement earlier this month that should he decide to run, "Of course Dr. Biden would be on board."

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