SCRANTON, Pa. -- With a three and a half minute online video, former vice president Joe Biden announced he is running for president.
"I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the United States. Folks, America is an idea, an idea that's stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant."
The video was posted around 6 a.m. and featured Biden talking about what he calls hatred dividing the country.
"We are in a battle for the soul of this nation," he said.
Many expected Biden's video to feature his childhood roots in Scranton. It did not.
Earlier this month, Biden was spotted in the city and a campaign production crew made a stop at Hank's Hoagies, a Scranton business.
"I think Joe Biden is probably the best democratic candidate that they have right now. I'm Republican, but I think if someone's gonna vote democrat, it's probably going to be Joe Biden," said Matt Evans of Clarks Green.
This is Biden's third bid for the top office.
His first was in 1988, the last in 2008.
He is 76 years old now.
"I think his time is over for running for president. I think he has it. I think we need someone younger. Someone with better ideas," said Bernard Graham of Scranton.
Pennsylvania was key in the 2016 presidential election when for the first time in nearly 30 years, a Republican won the state.
Donald Trump narrowly beat Hillary Clinton, who has her own Scranton connections. Her father was born, raised and buried in the city. Clinton won in Lackawanna County by a narrow margin.
This time around, the Democratic field for president is crowded, but Biden is considered to be a front-runner.
"There's a lot of people coming out of the Democratic side, so it's going to be, you know, crazy when they do the debates and things like that, but you know it's nice to see someone who has an experience like that," said George Abdalla of Scranton.
The presidential hopeful is also dealing with controversy. He's accused of touching women without their permission making them feel uncomfortable.
His first official event is set for Monday in Pittsburgh followed by a swing through early voting states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina in the coming weeks.
Watch the full announcement video below:
fortisveritas
“Poor Fortis real tuff guy behind his screen.” Says Boob Jackson, as he hides behind his screen…
Rusty Knyffe
His announcement was so over-the-top that he lost all credibility with me. I wouldn’t trust Biden any further than I could kick him with my bare foot.
yabbadabbadude
Obama’s Secretary Of Defense, Robert Gates, said in 2014 that Biden’s been on the wrong side of every foreign policy and national security since he was elected to the Senate in 1972. I just checked out Gates’ statement on Polifact and they rated it as ‘mostly true’. Not a good record at all.
yabbadabbadude
‘national security issue’, that is.
fortisveritas
Did you clear this through Bobby Jackson? He is the All Seeing Eye, The Oracle, The One. Once he says it vetted, then you’re good.
fortisveritas
SINCLAIR! SINCLAIR! NASA! FLAT EARTH!
🤪🤪 🤪🤪
Bobby Jackson
How is a grown man so brainwashed?
fortisveritas
Keep asking those questions of yourself. That’s one of the steps of recovery. It’s OK Bobby, let it all out.
fortisveritas
Hi, my name is Bobby Jackson. I troll a small NEPA news comment board and spout ‘facts’ and figures that can disproven by any 5th grader with an iPad. I think I’m making a difference in the world and pat myself on the back regularly. Please stroke my ego and upvote my comments more than I already have. 🙄
Bobby Jackson
Awww look, the small guy on his couch is mad.
fortisveritas
Seriously. What is wrong with you? Have you ever been to see a specialist? Ever diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia or bipolar disorder? There is help for you – if you want it.
Bobby Jackson
Fortis why are you so angry?
fortisveritas
There’s nothing wrong with admitting you have a problem. That’s the first step to getting help. Ask yourself: Do people go out of their way to avoid me? Has more than one person told me I have issues? I’m just having fun with you, but I don’t want to be the one to push you over the edge (you are close, by the way) and have you go to Vegas, Columbine, or Oklahoma City. Seek help! Please!
Bobby Jackson
Fortis please get over yourself. Its clear you are drinking or something. I suspected alcohol early this morning . You are acting very strange.
fortisveritas
I thought you said you were working? Or is it daddy time already? What was it that you said – you were going to demolish me? Something like that? Or are you between work and daddy time? 🙄
Bobby Jackson
I’m still at work Fortis. Please lay down bottle and get off couch.
fortisveritas
Your employer must really appreciate all the time you spend trolling on the web.
Bobby Jackson
My employer has no say.
Kharis Andoheb
creepy uncle joe…no way
Jim hacky (@HackyJim)
Mr Snuffleupagus is going to have a field day with all that hair to sniff at the up coming parties he should probably keep his tentacles in check lots of video coming.
lickerblisters
What’s Joe gonna think about his announcement later today after he sobers up?
Jeff Woehrle
Looks like the DNC is prepared to push Bernie Sanders out of the picture…again.
I’d be angry, Bernie fans. VERY angry.
Lisa Marshinski
Get the popcorn ready, this is going to be one hell of a circus.
nasca1856
The only reason any of these clowns run for president is to make it into the history books. Just an old fashioned grab at immortality. Joe knows that this is his last chance.
phantom359
“Donald Trump narrowly beat Hillary Clinton.” Ummmm, no it was not a narrow victory
John Doe
The Buffoon Biden LOL
John Doe
LOL
yabbadabbadude
Delaware can rest easy. There’s one less Kissing Bug there now.
scrantonpothole
‘Joe, with all these nutty leftists running, all you have to do is not be craz…’
“TRUMP IS HITLER!!!”
misterpl
With all the allegations of sexual misconduct, is he running as a Republican?
Jeff Woehrle
Those things only matter to democrats if Joe would be a Republican.
Jeff Woehrle
Tells you how sad the democrats have become when their best hope is a geriatric, lily-white male.
American patriot
Trump 2020!
Bobby Jackson
Wnep is owned by Sinclair, it’s all scripted like the 100’s of Sinclair owned stations across country all report virtually same thing. Local propaganda is no different than cnn. There are many compilations put together that show wnep reporting same stories as outlets coast to coast. I’d link one here but it’s not allowed. Look into 6 corporations that control the media and you will find it.
Bobby Jackson
Go to you. Tube. Type ” 6 corporations that control the media ” and compilations with wnep demonstrating all corporate media coast to coast is scripted are there. It blew my mind when I saw this a while back. We’re being taken for a ride.
fortisveritas
Does the director of the asylum your at know you’re accessing the internet again? Sinclair owns WOLF, WQMY, and WSWB. All FOX affiliates. WNEP is a Dreamcatcher station owned by Tribune Broadcasting. But by all means, continue the ranting and insanity. It’s quite entertaining. 🤪
Bobby Jackson
Hey pinhead! Don’t bother looking into this info I shared. Im sure you are well aware of this fact now get back in front of that programming box.
Bobby Jackson
You are incorrect pinhead.
Bobby Jackson
I am incorrect about Sinclair ownershiownership p but this doesn’t change fact wnep is still propaganda and included in many compilations reporting same propaganda as outlets from coast to coast.
yabbadabbadude
^ ‘Trollin’…Trollin’…Trollin’ on the river…’ ^
Bobby Jackson
I didn’t realize they called off the deal when Sinclair was about to purchase Tribune late last year.
fortisveritas
Sure, because you.tube is one source of information we can all rely on to be true. I’ll find your article right between the ones that say Hillary Clinton is a lizard king, Rihanna is Illuminati, the earth is flat, NASA is fake, and the airlines are spraying us with chemicals. You seriously need to seek professional help. Oh, you assume I watch TV news. I don’t. So put your programming box comments back in the void you call your brain.
fortisveritas
What’s that? You were wrong? Can you speak up please, I have trouble hearing you with your mouth full of crow. 🐦 🤣😁🤣😁 ‘I was wrong but that doesn’t change anything’ Yes, Bobby, it does. Whack job.
Bobby Jackson
They’re are compilations showing this fact pinhead.
fortisveritas
No kidding? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist (or a you tube video produced by some tatted nose ring ear gauge dyed hair anti-establishment conspiracy nut) to deduce that there are conglomerates in the media. I go back to my other comment: seek professional help. You seriously need it.
Bobby Jackson
Im busy working , after work I will be back to demolish you and your establishment loving pinhead.
Bobby Jackson
No fool I won’t be because its daddy time after work but you troll this propaganda site all the time as I do so I’ll see ya soon pinhead.
Bobby Jackson
Sure, I admitted I was wrong! That’s what a man does.
fortisveritas
Don’t waste your energy Bobby. You had zero credibility with me before when you were screaming SINCLAIR! SINCLAIR! If it’s possible you have less now that you’ve outed yourself as someone that doesn’t keep themselves informed about what they’re screaming about. You’ve made a lot of incorrect assumptions about me. The only demolishing you’ve done is to your own credibility. Bye, whack job! 👋
Bobby Jackson
Hey pinhead, go to h.e… ll
Bobby Jackson
Hey pinhead, clearly im way more aware of what is happening in world than you are. Its amazing you waste my time commenting on my comments. Get back on your couch a….s. ….s….. ho…..l…..e.
Bobby Jackson
Awww look at the couple haters I have. The local propaganda comment section. Ohhh you guys hurt my feelings…. lmfao.
Bobby Jackson
Poor Fortis real tuff guy behind his screen. Awww poor Fortis. Back on the couch now little guy.
Bobby Jackson
All I referenced you….tube for little guy are the compilations which prove local media is no different than cnn. You should really stop assuming things about me. All we know for sure is you are a little guy that spends his days on couch with laptop. That’s only thing we know.
fortisveritas
Bobby Jackson: “Hey pinhead, clearly im way more aware of what is happening in world than you are.“ Also Bobby Jackson: “I am incorrect about Sinclair ownership” and “I didn’t realize they called off the deal when Sinclair was about to purchase Tribune late last year. “ OK… 🙄
You are truly a whack job.
Troll, troll, troll your boat… Y U mad, bro? 😂🤣😂🤣
fortisveritas
“All we know for sure is you are a little guy that spends his days on couch with laptop.” I’ll throw you a bone: I’m 6’2”, 210 pounds. I’m in a recliner, and I’m using a tablet. And I’m retired.
Once again you’re wrong on all accounts. Keep trying though, this is fun.
lickerblisters
Isn’t this the guy who called Scranton and it’s people “gritty” last week?😄