Washington (CNN) - It's not so noteworthy for Vice President Joe Biden to stop by a social reception. But what was noteworthy about the one he attended Wednesday evening was its audience – full of Iowans.
Biden stopped by a party at a Washington hotel for a group of 195 Iowans from the Greater Des Moines Partnership – a group aimed at promoting economic development in Des Moines. The group of Iowans are on a three-day trip to the nation's capital to help spur job creation in Des Moines and lobby Congress.
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'][twitter-follow screen_name='KevinBohnCNN']
Biden spent about 45 minutes at the reception mingling with the group, which also included DC based staff from various Iowa congressional officials, according to Susan Ramsey, a spokeswoman for the partnership. He didn’t make any formal remarks to the attendees.
“He spent a great deal of time,” Ramsey told CNN. “We are used to being courted by anyone even being rumored to be a potential candidate.”
The Vice President’s office told CNN Biden dropped by the reception to say hi.
As both Democrats and Republicans are in the midst of deciding the 2016 presidential nomination calendar, Iowa‘s caucuses are expected to continue to lead off the voting.
Hillary Clinton has a wide lead over Biden among Iowa voters with 63% saying she would be their first choice in caucus voting while 10% would back the Vice President if they both seek the Democratic nomination, according to the most recent polling in a potential Democratic 2016 showdown.
The partnership visit was first reported by the Des Moines Register.
Biden to raise money for South Carolina Democrats
Biden to South Carolina for commencement address
Biden had declined an invitation last year to attend. After he accepted one for this year, group officials kept it secret from those attending.
This is not Biden’s first recent outreach to Iowans. Last September the Vice President was the star attraction at one of Iowa’s iconic Democratic gatherings – the steak fry sponsored by longtime Sen. Tom Harkin. At the event the Vice President gave a strong defense of the Obama administration’s policies saying “The president and I have had a laser focus on one thing: raising up the middle class.”
CNN’s Kevin Liptak and Steve Brusk contributed to this story.
They LOVE you in Iowa, Joe!!!!! It's YOUR time, Joe!!!! Run, Joe... RUN!!!!!
uncle joe....laser focus ? on middle class...not so much... maybe special interest for your fat cat friends...
Fair is Fair
They LOVE you in Iowa, Joe!!!!! It's YOUR time, Joe!!!! Run, Joe... RUN!!!!!
_______________________
It is true that Mr. Biden is head and shoulders better than anything the "Clown Car" can offer, and he would certainly have my vote over Paul, Cruz, Santorum, Perry, et al.
"Didn't Obama, a Democrat, close of War Memorials in DC "
Nope. That was the GOP/Teatrolls, who caused the shutdown that required closing the memorials. Obama opened them back up.
Um,
Spur job growth in Des Moines? Now how Limousine Liberal help plant corn in Iowa? Except for Joe who plant plenty corn.
Slow News Day.
Hillary better kick the backstabbing Obama into overdrive. It looks like Bill's warning shot of "you better make right with the people you lied to with 'you can keep your policy. Period.'", didn't work as well as they thought.
Looks like the Democrat Dinosaur Train is leaving the station! All relics of an era long ago, along with their tired old failed ideas.
Save the corn dog !
He will make a great secretary of state under Hillary .
" Biden courts Iowa leaders "
I hope Dr. Jill doesn't find out.
He better not run... that's all I have to say abut the matter.
Brandon
He better not run... that's all I have to say abut the matter.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Is that a threat? Frankly nobody cares what you "have to say ABOUT the matter".
@Malory Archer
Brandon
He better not run... that's all I have to say abut the matter.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Is that a threat? Frankly nobody cares what you "have to say ABOUT the matter".
----------
Oh no – tell me this isn't yet another Tea Party guy threatening violence against the government.
If he wants to run, let him, IF the press likes him, he WILL be the next president.
Sniffet...The people opened them back up. And....Obama was 1/2 of the sequestration. I know this will drive you "herpy derpy" so please provide some blah,blah,blah blah................
Silence DoGood
@Malory Archer
Brandon
He better not run... that's all I have to say abut the matter.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Is that a threat? Frankly nobody cares what you "have to say ABOUT the matter".
----
Oh no – tell me this isn't yet another Tea Party guy threatening violence against the government.
======
Can you please tell me one TEA Party guy that has threatened violence against the govt? I love the open debate here. If you have a different opinion than Mallory just doesn't want to hear it so you'd better adhere to her wishes.
tom l
Silence DoGood
@Malory Archer
Brandon
He better not run... that's all I have to say abut the matter.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Is that a threat? Frankly nobody cares what you "have to say ABOUT the matter".
--
Oh no – tell me this isn't yet another Tea Party guy threatening violence against the government.
======
Can you please tell me one TEA Party guy that has threatened violence against the govt? I love the open debate here. If you have a different opinion than Mallory just doesn't want to hear it so you'd better adhere to her wishes.
-------–
There are many obvious ones but this is one example I found in a few seconds. They are always alluding to "2nd amnedment solutions"
"I hope that's not where we're going, but you know if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies and saying my goodness what can we do to turn this country around? I'll tell you the first thing we need to do is take Harry Reid out." —Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle, floating the possibility of armed insurrection in a radio interview, Jan. 2010