Democratic Women Audition to Be Joe Biden's Running Mate
WASHINGTON—Opening her campaign address book, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar brought out more than 600 of her top donors for a fundraiser this week that raised more than $1.5 million for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. Former Georgia House Democratic leader Stacey Abrams has embarked on an extensive media tour and plans to address New Hampshire Democrats this weekend. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren offered a firm defense of Mr. Biden after he denied allegations of sexual assault by a former aide, saying his response was credible and convincing.
As the former vice president contemplates choosing someone who could take over the role he held eight years of the Obama administration, the tryout phase is well under way. Some of the Democratic women thought to have a shot at becoming Mr. Biden’s running mate, such as California Sen. Kamala Harris and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are hewing to the traditional tactic of avoiding openly campaigning for the role while demonstrating how they could be an asset. Ms. Abrams has publicly expressed interest in the job.
Mses. Harris and Klobuchar have appeared at virtual fundraisers with Mr. Biden during the coronavirus pandemic. The Minnesotan, a former rival for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, and Ms. Whitmer have joined him separately for friendly banter on his podcast. Ms. Warren has shown her online fundraising clout, impressing Mr. Biden’s team. He noted to donors that on the day she endorsed him in mid-April and sent out a fundraising email on his behalf, the campaign raised $2.75 million online. Mr. Biden could use that help—the presumptive Democratic nominee is at a significant cash disadvantage compared with President Trump. Mr. Biden has committed to choosing a woman to be his running mate. The former vice president, age 77, also may be anointing the future leader of the party.
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Mr. Biden said during an interview with WFTV in Orlando on Thursday that Rep. Val Demings (D., Fla.) was “one of a group of close to a dozen really qualified and talented women who are on the list.” He added: “She is a very competent, very capable person.”
Others in the party have urged him to consider a Latina, such as Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada or New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada spoke with Mr. Biden about a week ago and has been urging him to consider Ms. Cortez Masto, according to a person familiar with the call. A nationwide survey released by the polling firm Latino Decisions last month found that 72% of registered Latino voters said they would be more likely to turn out and vote for Mr. Biden if he selected Ms. Cortez Masto or another Latina to share the ticket. Mayra Macías, the executive director of Latino Victory Fund, said Democrats “cannot afford” to take the Latino vote for granted.
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The former vice president, who went through an extensive vetting process a dozen years ago before being selected as Mr. Obama’s running mate, has emphasized the importance of personal relationships and the need to find a “partner in progress.”
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