Hollywood Democrats are ecstatic following Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement on Wednesday that he won’t be running for president.
“I’m both relieved and overjoyed,” Dana Perlman, a Clinton fundraiser told TheWrap. “I have tremendous respect for Joe Biden, but I want the party to be unified behind Hillary Clinton.”
While Hillary’s support in Hollywood has remained largely unshaken in recent months, Perlman says he expects his job will be a lot easier now that Biden is no longer thinking of jumping into the 2016 presidential race.
“Anyone who is sitting on the sidelines out of respect for the Vice President or because of their longstanding relationship with him will now jump in support of Hillary,” he said.
Biden’s announcement ended weeks of rampant media speculation.
“I believe we are out of time,” he said regarding his chances to mount a successful campaign for the presidency.
The vice president said his family, still in mourning over the death of his son Beau after a long fight with brain cancer, was ready for him to run, but that it was no longer realistic for him to do so.
“I’m happy he made a decision finally,” L.A.-based Democratic political consultant Donna Bojarsky told TheWrap. “I don’t think Hillary’s support in Hollywood was ever wavering, but this does clear the way to focus on Hillary again and her status as a frontrunner.”
Andy Spahn, President of Gonring, Spahn & Associates, a public affairs consulting firm based in Los Angeles which helps raise money for Clinton, told TheWrap, “The Vice President’s decision not to run leaves voters with a very clear choice in the Democratic primary, one which I believe will further strengthen Hillary Clinton.”
“I’m disappointed because Biden is a great leader and has done great things for this country, but I think it was too late for him to be able to launch a viable campaign,” L.A.-based political consultant and former Biden speech writer Matthew Littman told TheWrap. “I’m excited about Hillary. I have two daughters and I’d like them to see a woman president.”
One person who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that while Biden is respected in the Hollywood community, his remarks in recent days were a bit “dick-y.”
On Tuesday Biden took what seemed like unveiled swipes at the former secretary of state saying it’s “naive” to think anyone can lead the country without working with Republicans.
At a gala for former Vice President Walter Mondale, Biden stressed the importance of ending “this notion that the enemy is the other party.”
Biden was taking a dig at Clinton’s response during last week’s Democratic debate that Republicans are among the enemies she’s most proud of making.
“The Obama team and Hillary team have never really gotten along,” the individual said. “[Biden] is cottoning to the Obama legacy,” adding now that he is officially out of the race, “it will benefit everyone in the party.”
Biden’s decision comes as recent polls show Democrats solidifying their support for Clinton. The former secretary of state has taken the lead in New Hampshire, edging former U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont by four percentage points, with 38 percent, according to a new WBUR poll released Wednesday.
While Clinton has been leading in all other states, Sanders was still holding a slight lead in the Granite State.
“I do think [Biden’s decision] will cause a lot more people to open up their checkbooks,” said Perlman.
On Nov. 4, pop singer Christina Aguilera and her producer, fiancé Matthew Rutler, will host a Hillary Clinton fundraiser in their Los Angeles home. Filmmaker Rob Reiner will host a fundraiser for Clinton on Nov. 5.