Joe Biden commits to picking a woman as his running mate
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Joe Biden said at the Democratic debate on Sunday night that he will commit to picking a woman to be his vice presidential running mate if he wins the nomination.
What he's saying: "If I'm elected president, my Cabinet, my administration will look like the country. And I commit that I will in fact pick a woman to be vice president. There are a number of women who are qualified to be the president of tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president."
- Sen. Bernie Sanders also said that "in all likelihood" he would do the same, but added: "For me, it's not just nominating a woman. It is making sure we have a progressive woman, and there are progressive women out there. So my very strong tendency is to move in that direction."
Between the lines: House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who is widely credited with reviving Biden's campaign, told "Axios on HBO" Sunday that he would advise Biden to pick a woman as his running mate — and specifically an African American woman.
Clyburn's list of qualified African American women includes:
- Sen. Kamala Harris
- Rep. Marcia Fudge
- Rep. Val Demings
- Former Georgia state Rep. Stacey Abrams
- Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
- Former national security adviser Susan Rice
- Also on his list: Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren
