Biden narrows VP choice list down to these two Black women: report

By Biba Adams

·August 6, 2020

DUNMORE, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 09: The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks at McGregor Industries on July 09, 2020 in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. The former vice president, who grew up in nearby Scranton, toured a metal works plant in Dunmore in northeastern Pennsylvania and spoke about his economic recovery plan. With fewer than four months until the election, polls continue to show Biden leading in Pennsylvania which is a battleground state in the race for the presidency. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

According to an Axios report citing those close to Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, the choice for his possible next vice-president has been narrowed down to two women: California senator, Kamala Harris and former Obama national security adviser, Susan Rice.

These sources close to Biden would be “surprised” if he picked anyone else.

The Democratic national convention will be held virtually in less than two weeks on August 17, the vice-presidential pick is expected to be announced just before that.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), hugs Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden after introducing him at a campaign rally at Renaissance High School on March 09, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Senator Harris is considered a strong pick due to her background as a prosecutor. She is said to be a perfect foil to President Donald Trump’s “law and order” narrative.

However, former United Nations ambassador and former national security adviser Susan Rice is seen as a strong pick due to her foreign policy experience. Rice also worked closely with Biden during the presidency of Barack Obama and she will surely be supported by the popular former president and first lady.

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a co-chair of Biden’s running mate selection committee, said Tuesday in an interview with MSNBC that they have “amazing women that have been a part of this process. We’re keeping them all, we’ve vetted them heavily, all of them have passed the vet, and now in this next week, week and a half, Mr. Biden can spend some time with them.”

Previous presidential campaigns have also kept their VP announcements quiet until close to the convention. Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump didn’t make their picks until just days before their respective conventions.

Biden announced during the Democratic presidential debates that he would choose a woman to be his running mate. Since that announcement, as he emerged as the presumptive nominee, the choice has been highly anticipated.

The potential next vice-president will likely debate current VP, Mike Pence, this fall in the run-up to the election.

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