Joe Biden rules out White House 2016 run

By BBC

US Vice-President Joe Biden has announced he will not run for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 White House race.

Mr Biden said his family was ready after the death of his son earlier this year, but he had now run out of time.

He said it would be a mistake for Democrats to turn their backs on President Barack Obama's record.

Democrats seeking an alternative to frontrunner Hillary Clinton had been urging the 72-year-old to run.

Though he will not be a candidate, Mr Biden said he "will not be silent".

"I intend to speak out clearly and forcefully on where we stand as a party and where we need to go as a nation."

He said any candidate would be making a "tragic mistake" to reject the Obama legacy, and urged an end to political bickering.

"I believe we have to end the divisive, partisan politics ripping apart this country," he said as he stood in the Rose Garden of the White House, flanked by his wife Jill and Mr Obama.

Repeating a dig at Mrs Clinton that he has made several times this week, he said it was wrong to see Republicans as enemies.

When asked at last week's Democratic debate, the former first lady said she was proud of making an enemy out of Republicans.