Biden tells crowd to save their energy: ‘I may need it in a few weeks’

Former Vice President Joe Biden hinted at a 2020 presidential bid on Tuesday, telling a crowd in Washington to save their energy because he “may need it in a few weeks.”

Biden’s comments came at a conference of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the union representing firefighters and emergency services workers, where he delivered the keynote address.

“I appreciate the energy you all showed when I got up here,” Biden said. “Save it a little longer, I may need it in a few weeks.”

{mosads}The remarks, greeted by cheers from the audience, suggest that Biden may be nearing a presidential announcement after years of speculation about whether he will seek to challenge President Trump in 2020.

Biden’s looming entrance into the 2020 contest has cast a shadow over other Democratic White House contenders, who see a run by the former vice president as one of the more significant obstacles to securing the party’s nomination.

Biden would enter the race with near-universal name recognition, as well as a vast network of political operatives and donors ready to play a supporting role in a campaign.

Early primary polls show Biden with a consistent lead over other, already-declared Democratic candidates, like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

A recent Des Moines Register–CNN–Mediacom poll released over the weekend showed Biden leading the pack among likely Iowa caucusgoers with 27 percent support. Sanders, who announced his candidacy last month, came in second, at 25 percent, in that survey.