拜登宣布不参选美国总统

After keeping the media guessing for months, Vice President Joe Biden has finally made the announcement that he will not make a run for the White House in 2016.

"As my family and I have worked through the grieving process, I've said all along that it may very well be that process, by the time we get through it, closes the window on mounting a realistic campaign for president. I've concluded, it has closed."

He was referring to the loss of his elder son Beau Biden who passed away last May to brain cancer.

Even though Biden acknowledged in his speech that running for president is not realistic at this stage, he is determined to be active during the upcoming campaign.

"But while I will not be a candidate, I will not be silent. I will speak clearly and forcefully, to influence as much as I can where we stand as a party and where we need to go as a nation."

Biden listed a number of policy priorities he would support in the upcoming campaign.

The Vice President urged Democratic candidates to carry on the Obama legacy.

"This party, our nation, will make a tragic mistake if we walk away or attempt to undo the Obama legacy. Democrats should not only protect this record, or defend this record – they should run on this record."

But Biden did not use the opportunity to endorse any of the announced candidates, including the current frontrunner, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton later praised Biden, tweeting that she was "inspired by his optimism and commitment to change the world for better".

Voting in the first stages of the 2016 presidential election will kick off with Caucuses in Iowa next February.

Xiaohong, CRI, Washington DC.