If, as everyone suspects, Biden decides to run, this is what I would tell him:
- DON’T APOLOGIZE TOO MUCH: Some of the things you said and did years ago were considered perfectly appropriate then, but not now. Ask the American public to look at the entire record, and in context– not just a few isolated episodes here and there. Tell them it’s a positive record, and you’re proud of it, even if you did make some mistakes along a 40 year road.
- MAKE IT ABOUT OBAMA’S LEGACY: Sanders and Warren essentially believe that Obama was a failure. The base doesn’t agree. Use that to your advantage.
- TALK UP YOUR EXPERIENCE: You’re the only one running who has dealt with Putin and Xi. That matters, even in an election that will probably focus on domestic issues. Don’t let the voters forget it.
- LEAVE YOUR OPTIONS OPEN ON A SECOND TERM: You might well decide to leave after a single term, and it’s ok to put that on the table during the campaign to address the age issue, but don’t commit to it–just keep it as an option after your first two years.
- REMEMBER WHO YOUR VOTERS ARE: You’re not competing with Sanders and Beto for young activists; don’t try. They get all of the attention, but there are plenty of older folks out there who admire you, and they vote.
- FOCUS ON GETTING RID OF TRUMP, NOT THE POLICY AGENDA: That’s what the public really wants.
- DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE REAL ABOUT PROGRESSIVE POLICIES: A lot of what you’re hearing from the more leftist candidates is practically impossible. Make that case clearly to the American people, and don’t apologize for it. Realism and honesty are not shortcomings.
- PICK A YOUNG RUNNING MATE, BUT NOT RIGHT AWAY: You want your running mate to be your political heir. It’s way too early to say who that should be.