Subject: Note to Vice President Biden/From Steve Clemons
From: "Steve Clemons" <[email-masked]>
Cc: "Barkoff, Kendra" <[email-masked]>, "Shailagh Murray" <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 10:21:36 -0400

Dear Mr. Vice President:

First of all, as I think you know from others in the Biden clan, Andy and I
were devastated about the loss of Beau who had become a friend of ours --
and always so helpful and warm.  Our most sincere condolences to you, Jill,
and the whole family.  While I have a professional reason for sending this
note, I just can't not mention Beau and how we all loved him - and you and
your incredible family.

On another front, I know you are debating your future and whether you
should run for the Presidency, and in my personal, rather than journalistic
capacity, I truly hope that you do.  The country can only benefit from your
candidacy and dare I say, you being President.  I have often thought, and
written, that you come pre-packaged with the essential, vital skills --
both in knowledge and in your innate understanding and bond with people --
to be one of our greatest Presidents.  So for whatever its worth to you as
you weigh different equities, you have one friend here that doesn't want
you just to run, but would love to see you win.

Now, on a separate track -- and am sending this to Kendra, Shailaugh and
others as not sure who it should go to -- I would love to have you join us
again on stage at the *WASHINGTON IDEAS FORUM *sponsored by *The Atlantic *and
the *Aspen Institute*.  You did this a few years ago you may recall when
you made national news taking on Brian Moynihan and Bank of America for
their plan to institute $5.00 fees for debit card use -- impacting many low
income, hard working families.  Your comments that day were the pivotal
moment in making Brian, who also spoke that day, cancel that Bank of
America initiative.  There are so many topics you might want to discuss --
ranging from how to restore America's stock of power in the world, how to
establish a reasonable and resilient new social contract for Americans that
lasts for decades more, discussing what you have done for women's rights
and broad civil rights -- including LGBT rights -- throughout your career.
All of these topics would be of interest -- or any others you might have.

The forum takes place *September 30 and October 1 *and routinely draws
1500++ guests for two days of programming with top thinkers and
practitioners from the political, business, tech and cultural spheres.
These are conversational interviews -- consequential and interesting but
friendly.

Some of our participants in years past include:

   - Vice Presidents *Joe Biden (YOURSELF!!)* and *Dick Cheney*
   - Authors *Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,* *Gary Shteyngart* and
*Joseph O'Neill *
   - Policymakers *Madeline Albright, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, Marco
   Rubio, Lindsey Graham, John Barrasso, John McCain, John Kerry, Chuck Hagel,
   Susan Rice, Samantha Power, John Boehner,* Justice *Antonin Scalia*, and
   many more
   - Tech leaders *Bill Gates, Travis Kalanick* of Uber, and *Eric Schmidt*
   - Chef *Jose Andres* and Starbucks CEO *Howard Schultz*
   - *Onion* Editor-in-Chief *Cole Bolton*
   - Journalists *Katie Couric, Chris Matthews, Gwen Ifill, Katty Kay,
   Ta-Nehisi Coates, Michele Norris*, and others

It's a very good program -- and I would so love to build you into it.

Please let me know what you think. Happy to discuss with you directly or
your team. My number is 202-276-1176. Look forward to connecting.

All best -- and look forward to seeing you again.

Steve

Steve Clemons

Editor at Large, *The Atlantic *and *National Journal*
202-276-1176 @SCClemon