DEMS IN A PANIC – ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS – AT 9:58 A.M. ET:  I don't see Democratic mobs panicking in the streets – the Dems I know are probably shopping at Saks – but inside the party there is clear concern that Hillary Clinton is in serious trouble, and that Bernie Sanders is too far left to be elected president.  Alternatives please?  From Reuters: 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A prominent Democratic donor worried about the party's chances of winning the presidency emailed dozens of fans of Vice President Joe Biden on Friday, urging them to remain prepared to donate if Biden jumps into the race.

The donor, Bill Bartmann, cited new polling showing Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont nearly tied with the Hillary Clinton, eroding the 30-point lead the former secretary of state held at the end of last year. Bartmann and other party insiders are concerned that Sanders, a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist, is too far to the left to win against a Republican in the Nov. 8 presidential election.

"We cannot afford to lose the White House," Bartmann wrote in the email, seen by Reuters.

The email drew a string of affirmative responses, also seen by Reuters.

Biden announced in October that he would not seek the presidency, despite support from a group of backers under the name "Draft Biden 2016." But whispers have continued among some donors who hope that Biden could be convinced to run after all should Clinton’s campaign prove fruitless.

"My sitting on the sidelines has a lot to do with my disappointment that the vice president decided not to get in the race," Patrick Baskette, one of the recipients of Bartmann's email, told Reuters. Baskette, a public affairs consultant in Tampa, Florida, was a special assistant to Biden during his time as a senator.

COMMENT:  The Biden folks may get their way.  The scenario goes as follows:  The FBI report into Hillary surfaces.  Even if she's not indicted, she drops further in the polls.  It's another Clinton scandal, following the mini-scandal, now growing, about Clinton's accepting vast speaking fees from Wall Street firms.  Dem panic increases.  They look at the alternative, Bernie.  But Dem officeholders are already warning of what the GOP will do to Bernie if he gets the nomination – starting with photos of him honeymooning in the Soviet Union.

The Dems turn to the obvious choice, and one backed enthusiastically by Obama, who's looking for a "third term" – Joe Biden.  Joe "reluctantly" comes into the race to save the party.  For once, he's the "elder statesman."  For the nomination, this will work.  I don't think Joe will fare all that well in the general election, if the GOP is united behind a good candidate.

February 6,  2016