It seems as though CNN really wants Joe Biden to enter the 2016 presidential race. Today, it was announced that even if he declared his candidacy on October 13--the day of the first Democratic primary debate--he would be allowed to participate.
From the New York Times:
Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has an open invitation to participate in the first Democratic presidential debate next month.
According to criteria released by CNN, the network that is hosting the debate on Oct. 13, Mr. Biden would have until the next day to file a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. The rules apply to any prospective candidate who is polling higher than 1 percent.
[...]
Although the debate criteria are not explicitly designed to accommodate Mr. Biden, they leave him with leeway to draw out his decision over a run to the middle of next month without missing the opportunity to take part in the first formal gathering of the Democratic candidates.
Debate invitations have already been extended to Hillary Clinton, Jim Webb, Lincoln Chafee, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O'Malley.
CNN's Republican primary debate had the highest ratings in the channel's history. Perhaps they're trying to spice things up for the relatively boring Democratic field with a bit of drama?