stop me if you've heard this one before
The 9 times this year we were convinced Joe Biden was going to announce his 2016 run
It's maybe the greatest question of 2016 politics: Will Joe Biden run for president? And when will he announce it? Here's a history of our wrong guesses (and maybe a right one, too). Jeva Lange
February 12: "Joe Biden reveals timeframe for 2016 presidential decision"
"Vice President Joe Biden is in no rush to decide whether he'll run for president in 2016, telling reporters in Iowa today he'll make up his mind 'at the end of the summer.'" (ABC News)
June 18: "Vice President Joe Biden will decide on White House run by August"
"Vice President Biden may still run for President in 2016 and will announce his plans by August, according to a report." (New York Daily News)
July 7: "Joe Biden probably announcing presidential run later this month"
"Did Bernie Sanders' "surge" help bring about a Joe Biden moment in the race for the Democratic nomination?" (Reason)
August 2: "Biden expected to make a decision on White House run by September"
"The people close to the vice president say his launching a White House run remains uncertain. Biden is expected to make a final decision as soon as early September, according to those familiar with his plans." (The Associated Press)
August 9: "Biden retreating for a week, then presidential run expected"
"Asked by a reporter in the Oval Office this week about whether he would run, Biden quipped, 'Only if you're my running mate.'" (The Associated Press)
September 6: "Joe Biden announces his 2016 presidential decision on Stephen Colbert this week"
"We'll find out in four days." (Daily News Bin)
September 18: "Joe Biden edges closer to joining presidential race"
"The Democratic debate next month is one of two important events in October that are on the minds of Mr. Biden’s top advisers as they consider a campaign start date." (The Wall Street Journal)
October 1: "Biden expected to skip first Democratic debate"
"He is not preparing for the first Democratic debate on October 13 in Las Vegas and is not expected to participate, people close to him say, because he feels no pressure to reach a decision by then. He is likely to reveal his plans in the second half of October." (CNN)
October 19: "Report: Joe Biden to make 2016 presidential decision within 48 hours"
"Within the next 48 hours, Vice President Joe Biden is expected to announce whether he will run for president in the 2016 election, two sources familiar with the subject told NBC News." (NBC News)