In Dover, sadness over Joe Biden's decision

In the moments following Vice President Joe Biden's announcement that he would not run for president, Delawareans said they understood his decision, but were disappointed that the possibility of a Biden presidency is over.

Biden said Wednesday midday that the window for him to run had closed as he and his family grieve the loss of former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, who died in May after a battle with brain cancer.

In a statement, Gov. Jack Markell said that the decision to run is a deeply personal one and that he respects Biden's choice. Markell previously said he would back a Biden candidacy.

“Joe Biden is beloved by many, not just in Delaware, but throughout the country and around the world," Markell said. He connects to people on a personal level, has dedicated his life to supporting the middle class, and has provided tremendous leadership in promoting U.S. interests around the world - all of which would have made him a formidable candidate.

Richard "Mouse" Smith, president of the Delaware NAACP, said Biden's decision to not run is a loss for everyone.

"I've been waiting all of my life for him to be president of the United States. And this was a golden opportunity," Smith said. "He would have brought more truth and integrity to the race if he had gotten into it."

But Smith said he would do anything he could to support Biden, a man who once called him out in the middle of a crowd during a 2012 speech at a NAACP conference.

Delaware Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, said he wasn't surprised by Biden's decision. Everybody treats losing a loved one differently, and Beau and Joe were close, he said.

"Those two were as close as any father and son I've known. Obviously he still needs time to grieve with that," Schwartzkopf said. "I just wish the world had gotten a chance to see Joe run for president. I was prepared to go anywhere in this country that he wanted me to go to help, but I guess that's not to be."

Similar to his remarks during an unprecedented service for Beau at Legislative Hall, Schwartzkopf said that the Biden family has been intertwined with Delaware for decades. A Biden campaign would have shown the world the kind and compassionate Biden family that Delawareans already knew, Schwartzkopf said.

"He would have made us very proud," he said.

Surprise, support at Charcoal Pit

Walking along South State Street in Dover, Alexis Gatti, said she was disappointed with Biden's decision not to run. Gatti, a former prosecutor under Beau Biden, said she was lucky enough to meet Joe a few times.

"He is a genuine person before he is a politician," she said. "There's something for him next and I'm excited to see what that is."

Drew Wilson, a member of the Delaware Young Democrats, said Biden seemed okay with the decision that he made, like he had really thought it through.

"I think what we saw today was a Joe Biden that thought his decision was right for him, for his family and for his country," Wilson said. "It's not the end of Joe Biden..."

Kacee Haskins, who was walking outside of The Schwartz Center for the Arts, said a Biden presidential campaign would have been interesting.

"I think he made the best decision for him and his family," she said.

Phil Mallet-Prevost, of Newark, was eating a slice of pizza outside of Angelo's Pizza along East Loockerman Street and said he didn't know about Biden's decision.

He said he would have voted for Biden, but that the decision to not run was a good one.

"He would have been an excellent candidate, but there was a lot going on," Mallet-Prevost said. "That's too much to take on."

He said he watched the vice president's "excellent" interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and knew a Biden campaign was not meant to be.

"I got the sense right then and there," Mallet-Provost said.

Tude Kyne, of Dover, was leaving Wesley United Methodist Church on Wednesday afternoon when she was informed of the news. A Biden fan, Kyne said she preferred that the vice president didn't run for office.

There's been too much going on in his life, she said.

'It's time to rest," Kyne said.

Reach Jon Offredo at (302) 324-2226 or joffredo@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @JonOffredo