Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday that he will choose his running mate “the first week in August.”
“I’m going to have a choice in the first week in August,” Biden said in response to a reporter’s question after unveiling the fourth pillar of his “Build Back Better” plan. “I promise, I’ll let you know when I do.”
Biden did not specify when he would publicly announce his decision.
He dodged the question regarding whether he would be able to interview the finalists in person, joking that he is going to “try to figure out a way to trick” the press because they are always “crews outside my house” staking out his home.
“I’ve got to try to figure out how to trick you all so I can meet with them in person,” Biden said. “You’ve got crews outside my house. I don’t think it matters, actually.”
The new deadline is now pushed to a week later from Biden’s previous commitment to announce by the end of July. During a fundraiser co-hosted with former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg in late May, Biden told donors that he hoped to name his pick by August 1.
Biden in March, has pledged to name a woman as his running mate. Last week, Biden told MSNBC’s Joy Reid that four Black women are on his shortlist of potential candidates for Vice President.
“I am not committed to naming any of the potential candidates, but the people I’ve named, and among them, there are four Black women,” Biden said on MSNBC’s ‘The ReidOut.’ “Black women have supported me my whole career. I have been loyal, and they have been loyal to me — and so it’s important that my administration, I promise you, will look like America.”
Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Rep. Val Demings of Florida, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Obama administration national security adviser Susan Rice and Rep. Karen Bass of California are among the Black women names that have been floated as potential picks. The Biden campaign has confirmed to be vetting Harris and Demings.
Biden’s VP announcement would come just two weeks before the Democratic National Convention is slated to kick off August 17.
20202020 Election2020 Presidential RaceDemocratic National ConventionJoe BidenRep. Karen BassRep. Val DemingsSen. Kamala HarrisSusan RiceVice PresidentVice President List
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