Biden Vice President pick: Kamala Harris chosen as running mate

[ghazi52]

Biden VP pick: Kamala Harris chosen as running mate

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has named Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate - the first black woman and Asian American in the role.

Once a rival for the top job, the California senator of Indian-Jamaican heritage had long been considered the front-runner for the number two slot.

The former California attorney general has been urging police reform amid nationwide anti-racism protests.

Mr Biden will face President Donald Trump in the election on 3 November.

At a White House news conference on Tuesday, Mr Trump, a Republican, described Ms Harris as "my number one draft pick".

Ms Harris will debate Mr Trump's running mate, Vice-President Mike Pence, on 7 October in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Only two other women have been nominated as vice-presidential candidates - Sarah Palin by the Republican party in 2008 and Geraldine Ferraro by the Democrats in 1984. Neither made it to the White House.

A woman of colour has never been appointed to a presidential ticket by either of the two main American political parties. No woman has won the US presidency either.

What did Biden and Harris say?


Mr Biden tweeted that he had "the great honour" to name Ms Harris as his number two.

• Profile: Who is Kamala Harris?

He described her as "a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country's finest public servants".

He noted how she had worked closely with his late son, Beau, when she was California's attorney general.

"I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse," he tweeted.

"I was proud then, and I'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign."

 

[ghazi52]

Who is Kamala Harris?
Ms Harris, 55, dropped out of the presidential race in December.

She repeatedly clashed with Mr Biden during the primary election debates, most notably criticising his praise for the "civil" working relationship he had with former senators who favoured racial segregation.

The Democrat was born in Oakland, California, to two immigrant parents: an Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born father.

She went on to attend Howard University, one of the nation's preeminent historically black colleges and universities. She has described her time there as among the most formative experiences of her life.


Media captionWho is Kamala Harris? A look at her life and political career
Ms Harris says she's always been comfortable with her identity and simply describes herself as "an American".

In 2019, she told the Washington Post that politicians should not have to fit into compartments because of their colour or background. "My point was: I am who I am. I'm good with it. You might need to figure it out, but I'm fine with it," she said.

 

[TruthHurtz]

I would've gone with Obama again if I was Biden (or his puppet masters). Would be good PR and appeal to the swing voter liberal crowd who are on the fence about the elections and want a return to pre-2016 'sanity'

Then again he may have been propositioned for the role but turned it down

This uppity black b*tch makes people groan

 

[TruthSeeker]

I would've gone with Obama again if I was Biden (or his puppet masters). Would be good PR and appeal to the swing voter liberal crowd who are on the fence about the elections and want a return to pre-2016 'sanity'

Then again he may have been propositioned for the role but turned it down

Whatever are you thinking? Neither Barack nor Michelle Obama want the hassle. They are enjoying their lives.

 

[FuturePAF]

I would've gone with Obama again if I was Biden (or his puppet masters). Would be good PR and appeal to the swing voter liberal crowd who are on the fence about the elections and want a return to pre-2016 'sanity'

Then again he may have been propositioned for the role but turned it down

This uppity black b*tch makes people groan

Did you vote for Obama in ‘08 or ‘12, if not you are not the voter they are trying to appeal to with Harris. They are trying to get enough voters to get them to 270. Once in office, the handlers behind the scenes would be running the show. If enough people feel that is worth taking over the current situation then they have a chance. Although, honestly no matter how unappealing trumps statements might be, he is the most transparent and nationalistic leader the US has had in a generation. Between being loved by the people and being an effective administrator, people would pick the latter according to Machiavelli. Trump just has 80 days to get his act together (control the virus and stabilize the economy just enough) and IMHO he could win re-election By a narrow margin.