To borrow the famous phrase from a long-running television game show, what, or who, is behind door number one for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden?
It’s selection time, and anticipation has built perhaps as never before in the vice presidential sweepstakes.
Will it be Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) or Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)? Will the nod go to former Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams, Florida Rep. Val Demings, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, or former U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice?
It could also be a sleeper pick, or even Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.), who seemingly has gained momentum over the past month with more pundits speculating that she’ll get the nod.
Biden, who reportedly has opened as much as a 12-point national lead over President Donald Trump ahead of the November election, promises to end the suspense on Saturday, Aug. 1.
The Washington Informer will have the story when Biden makes his announcement.
This week, Biden confirmed that four African American women were among the finalists to join the Democratic ticket.
Because of the current climate in America following the police killing of George Floyd, many believe Biden must choose a Black woman.
Some aren’t so certain.
“I don’t know how vital it is that the woman he chooses [be] a Black woman,” said Jennifer Clyburn Reed, daughter of Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina). “Biden is a man of his word, and he said he would appoint a Black woman to the Supreme Court, and I think that is important. It’s also important to remember that there are Cabinet positions that would need filling, and it would be great to have Black women in those jobs.”
It’s also essential that any vice presidential choice compliments the presidential candidate, Clyburn Reed said, adding that the overall goal is to unseat President Donald Trump.
Biden has said that he would choose someone he’s confident could, if necessary, immediately step in and take over the Oval Office.
“The person best prepared to step into the job of the president if the occasion arose would be former National Security Council Director Susan Rice,” Ross K. Baker, a distinguished professor of political science at Rutgers University in New Jersey, wrote in an opinion column for USA Today. “She is very smart and knows her way around the White House. Her principal shortcoming is her somewhat steely demeanor. But with Biden at the head of ticket, there would be more than enough high effect.
“Her credentials are impeccable and would put to rest the argument that Biden is merely pandering to minority voters,” Baker said. “Value-added: She would eat Pence alive in a debate.”
Michael Medved, a syndicated talk radio host, opined that Rep. Val Demings of Florida is the best choice, while author Brett M. Decker said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would help flip her state if chosen.
Sally Kohn, author of “The Opposite Of Hate: A Field Guide To Repairing Our Humanity,” said Bass would be a great choice because “she’s a powerful progressive visionary.”