Klobuchar removes herself from possible VP selection
Minnesota Senator and former presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar is taking herself out of the running to be former Vice President Joe Biden’s vice-presidential pick.
Klobuchar told MSNBC that she had called Biden on Wednesday evening with her decision, saying she believes this is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket.
“After what I’ve seen in my state and what I’ve seen across the country, this is a historic moment and America must seize on this moment,” she said. “There are so many incredibly qualified women. But if you want to heal this nation right now, my party, yes, but our nation — this sure is a hell of a way to do it. And that’s just what I think after being through this in my state,” said Klobuchar.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer last month had already made Klobuchar’s chances of being selected by Biden tougher. Her record as a Minnesota prosecutor came under closer scrutiny and revealed a history of not bringing charges against police officers accused of police brutality. Many Democrats believed that would be a huge liability going into the November election.
Biden has already stated that he will pick a female as his running mate and is reportedly vetting about a half dozen candidates, including women of color.
With Klobuchar out, Biden is still considering Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Kamala Harris, former national security adviser Susan Rice, Florida Congresswoman Val Demings, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Many believe the campaign is also taking a serious look at Georgia’s Stacey Abrams but Abrams claims she has not yet heard from the campaign.
Biden responded to Klobuchar’s announcement on Twitter.
“Amy from the moment you announced you were running for president in a snowstorm, it wasn’t hard to see you had the grit and determination to do anything you set your mind to,” Biden said. “You know how to get things done. With your help, we’re going to beat Donald Trump,” Biden tweeted.
The former vice president is expected to announce his running mate by August 1.
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