Biden's VP Shortlist Narrows as Speculation Mounts

Strategic Insights -

As the November election approaches, speculation about Joe Biden's running mate choice has reached a fever pitch. Despite initial promises to pick a woman, Biden's shortlist has narrowed to a handful of candidates, with Kamala Harris facing stiff competition from Karen Bass and others. Recent developments, including Biden's notes on Harris and Bass's emergence as a frontrunner, have fueled speculation about the California senator's standing as a VP contender.

Key Takeaways:

  • Joe Biden has narrowed his running mate shortlist to 11 candidates, with Kamala Harris still the oddsmakers' favorite.
  • Karen Bass, congresswoman and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, has emerged as a frontrunner, with Politico reporting that members of Harris's team requested a meeting with Biden after learning their candidate was not a shoo-in for the VP slot.
  • Harris has faced criticism for not showing contrition for remarks she made last year that appeared to depict Biden as racially insensitive.
  • Biden is expected to announce his running mate selection in mid-August, later than initially planned.
  • Other notable candidates in the running include Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth, as well as governors Gretchen Whitmer and Michelle Lujan Grisham.
  • Ed Rendell, a Biden supporter, believes Bass is a safer choice than Harris, citing the importance of "do no harm" in VP selection.
  • Susan Rice, Barack Obama's former national security adviser, is gaining momentum as an outside candidate, despite lacking campaign experience, due to her valuable experience in global relations.

Statistics:

  • 11 candidates remain in the running for VP (Source: CNN)
  • Kamala Harris is the oddsmakers' favorite (Source: CNN)
  • Karen Bass has emerged as a frontrunner, with Politico reporting that members of Harris's team requested a meeting with Biden (Source: Politico)
  • Harris has suffered criticism for not showing contrition for remarks she made last year (Source: CNN)
  • Biden is expected to announce his running mate selection in mid-August (Source: Politico)

Sources:

  • CNN (@CNN) "Joe Biden was photographed holding handwritten notes with Sen. Kamala Harris' name at the top along with a set of talking points about her, fueling fresh speculation about the California Democrat's standing as a vice presidential running mate."
  • Politico "Members of Sen. Kamala Harris's team asked the Biden campaign for a meeting after they found out she was not a shoo-in for the vice presidential slot."
  • Carolyn Kaster/AP "Photograph of Joe Biden with notes on Harris"