Former Vice President Joe Biden gave one of his clearest signals yet that he may be on the verge of announcing a run for president in 2020.
At a rally in front of the International Association of Fire Fighters in Washington, Biden received a standing ovation and attendees held signs saying "Run Joe Run."
As he was greeted by the crowd, Biden said: "I appreciate the energy you showed when I came up here. Save it a little longer — I may need it in a few weeks."
"Be careful what you wish for," he quipped a moment later.
Before becoming vice president under President Barack Obama, Biden was a senator from Delaware for just over 30 years. In his long tenure in public service, he's been backed by unions and labor groups.
Behind the scenes, the 76-year-old Biden has actively been gearing up for a potential run in 2020.
He and his advisors have been speaking some of the Democratic Party's top donors. He's also been meeting with social media and digital executives in an effort to learn how best to appeal to young voters through a variety of online platforms.
In private meetings with his advisors, Biden has been laying out policy ideas that could be part of his larger campaign agenda, including rebuilding the nation's infrastructure.