5. Karen Bass: It is uniquely possible that Biden would have made the choice 10 days ago that this Congresswoman in California (and former speaker of the California Assembly) would have been the choice.
4. Tammy Duckworth: The senator’s personal story in Illinois is the kind of thing that would appeal to the political gang if she were the choice.
A helicopter pilot in Iraq, she was shot dead and lost both of her legs. She received a Purple Heart for her service.
Duckworth’s second career is politics, after sitting in a House and now a Senate in Illinois. In addition to her incredible story and her Midwestern roots, she would also be a history-making pick as the first Asian-American woman on a national ticket.
The downside of picking Duckworth? She is less scrutinized under the very bright national lights than some of the other candidates on this definitive list.
Gretchen Whitmer: At the beginning of this whole process, the governor of Michigan was at (or near) the top of everyone’s list – including mine. A series of difficulties in dealing with coronavirus in their state (mostly even infected) fell off the radar.
Whitmer is apparently appealing for a few reasons: She has been elected governor of a Midwestern state, she has a similar pragmatic approach to politics as Biden does, and at 48 years old, she represents a next-generation Democratic leader.
I have been loudly skeptical that Biden in this climate chooses a white woman as his VP. I’m still in that camp, but if he does, it turns out Whitmer will be the choice.
2. Susan Rice: The more Biden looks like a winner, the higher up the former UN ambassador to the Obama administration.
There have been many reports that Biden is looking for someone he can have the kind of close relationship he and President Barack Obama had. Travel is, without question, the one person on this list with whom Biden is personally close.
She also makes a lot of sense when you consider that, at the heart of Biden’s campaign statement, is a promise to restore America’s status in the country and the world, then Rice is a perfect fit.
Kamala Harris: I have been doing this rank every week for the last four months every week. And each time, the California senator has been at the top of the charts.
But why? Simple. She has the best combination of skills: She is a charismatic candidate and debater who is considered on the national stage and would be a historic choice as the first African-American and Native American candidate on a national ticket.
But not all of it, and Harris still makes the most sense for Biden.
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