Who May be Biden's Potential Running Mate?
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Politics and Activism

Who May be Biden's Potential Running Mate?

As the choice to choose a running mate closes in, let's run through some of the options.

Shreya Ghosh
Aug 09, 2020
Rutgers University
45
Who May be Biden's Potential Running Mate?
Biden meets with Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer days before VP announcement

Joe Biden, a white male boomer, needs to add some diversity to his ticket. Everyone agrees. Biden has already promised to put a woman on the ticket, but Democrats want even more - they call for a woman of color to be featured. Let's run through five of the many women Biden might consider to be his VP.

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris, who you may know as a previous candidate for the democratic nomination, has all the qualifications to be a promising contender. She spent time in the US senate and as San Francisco's attorney general. Harris also comes from a diverse background - an Indian mother and a Jamaican father. Despite quarreling with Biden during the Democratic debate about his previous actions on desegregation, a Biden-Harris ticket may bring in votes from minority groups that Biden is unable to represent in a meaningful manner. She has already garnered praise from Democrats for advocating police reform and would satisfy constituents that want a woman of color on the ticket.

Susan Rice

Though Rice holds no experience in holding or campaigning for office, her time as National Security Adviser made her well-known to Biden due to her important work during the Obama administration. However, she was accused by Republicans for concealing the reasons behind the 2012 attack of the US consulate in Benghazi. Despite this, as a seasoned diplomat, she would play a key role in foreign relations, something that may be necessary to build the world back up again post-COVID.

Gretchen Whitmer

Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, only recently found her spotlight when she spearheaded Michigan's COVID response and criticized the federal mishandling of the pandemic. As she mandated several shutdowns and social distancing measures when Michigan became a hotspot for COVID, her notoriety among conservatives increased along with her popularity among Democrats. Donald Trump's attack on her then only served to elevate her public profile.

Tammy Duckworth

A senator from Illinois, Tammy Duckworth has more experience than most of the candidates on this list. Duckworth lost both her legs in as a military pilot in Iraq, but stayed with the military and retired as lieutenant colonel. She then proceeded to become assistant secretary in the Department of Veteran Affairs during the Obama administration. She also served in House of Representatives and most recently won her Senate seat in 2016. Her resume alone makes her arguably the most promising candidate in the running, however, she also comes from a diverse background as a Thai-American, satisfying the Democratic cry for a woman of color VP.

Elizabeth Warren

During the Democratic nominations, Warren was a warrior for the Democratic progressives. However, as the debates went on, the progressives shifted their support to Sanders and the moderates shifted toward Buttigieg. When Warren finally dropped out of the race, it was expected that she would announce her support for Sanders, however, she shocked many by supporting Biden, a favor that might be returned by Biden offering her a spot on the ticket. Even though she is not a woman of color, a seasoned progressive candidate such as herself may shift a future Biden administration a bit to the left, something we may need due to this economic crisis.

There are many other qualified women in the running, however, one thing is certain, this is one step closer to having a female president. Yes, it would have been amazing if all of a sudden, America voted a woman into office, however, clearly the 2016 election and the Democratic primary debates showed us that wasn't an option - America isn't ready for that. This is not just Biden's running mate decision - this is a defining choice for the future of women in politics,

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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