Joe Biden Gets Closer to Choosing a Running Mate

Joe Biden is expected to enter the 2020 election and challenge Donald Trump for the presidency. While Biden has been in politics for decades and is well-known among Americans, many are wondering who he will pick as his vice president.

Early into the Democratic debates this year, former Vice President Joe Biden promised to pick a female running mate. So far, Biden has not said who he has chosen, but his campaign has interviewed, vetted, and held discussions with many of his potential picks.

The Candidates

At the top of the list is one of Biden’s main rivals throughout the Democratic primaries, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA). Harris is a mixed-race African American and Indian American woman who was formerly the district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California. She is currently the junior senator of California. She also attacked Joe Biden during the primaries, accusing him of enabling racism for his past work with segregationists. Have the two Democrats forgiven each other?

Susan Rice, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and the United States national security advisor to former President Barack Obama is also high on the list. Rice’s significant foreign policy experience would help Biden, who has been criticized heavily for his foreign policy record over the years. Like other candidates, Rice has her baggage. Her handling of the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya led to a loss of credibility.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) is the only one to visit Biden for an interview so far. She wants to expand the Affordable Care Act, like Biden. Her status as the governor of a swing state might help influence voters in the Rust Belt, whose support Biden needs to secure to beat President Trump in 2020.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is a progressive who has fought for her views for decades. If Biden wants to bring together moderates and progressives, he would be wise to choose Senator Warren. On the other hand, her history of lying about her ethnic background could be a liability.

Joe Biden has reportedly done a lot of soul-searching in trying to find the right partner for his campaign, and he will likely choose his running mate by the Democratic National Convention on August 17. Each potential pick has her pros and cons, and it’s just a matter of what Biden thinks will help secure him a victory in 2020.