Biden's Exit Could Create Less Momentum For Democrats

Vice President Joe Biden's announcement Wednesday that he will not run for president could send ripples through the primary election season. According to at least one expert, the biggest loser in Biden's decision could be the Democratic Party itself.

The reason: spirited, contested primary elections can rally a political base, gain media attention and ultimately throw more momentum behind the nominee. The 2008 primary contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is just one high-profile example.

If Joe Biden decided to jump into the 2016 race, a similar situation could have unfolded, with Biden, Clinton, and Bernie Sanders all jostling for supporters ahead of the primaries.

Ken Fernandez is a political science professor and director of the Elon University Poll.

He says, for now, the Clinton camp is probably breathing a sigh of relief. After all, some polls showed Biden – as a hypothetical candidate – running in second place among Democrats.

But Fernandez says Biden's entry could have given the party a boost overall.

“In the long run, I think Hillary Clinton and the Democratic party look to the future and say ‘Joe Biden entering and making a Democratic primary an interesting race would be good for the Democratic Party and the frontrunner right now…Hillary Clinton,” he said.

The latest polling shows Clinton with a commanding lead over Bernie Sanders among North Carolina Democratic voters.