JOE’S FINAL FOUR
Biden campaign ‘has four top contenders on VP shortlist’ as search enters ‘final’ stage
JOE Biden is getting closer to selecting a running mate as his search committee has reportedly narrowed down a list of four finalists for the job.
The decision, which has been largely impacted by the current issues of race, has been conducted thoroughly over recent months.
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reported that the four women on the shortlist for the VP position are Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Rep. Val Demings of Florida, and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
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Sourced told CNN that lawyers assigned to the contenders are nearing the closing stages of review, looking at written, financial, and medical records.
An announcement of the candidate is expected in early August, while Biden will most likely sit down with the finalists in mid-to-late July.
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Other candidates that are being vetted and may be up for consideration are former Obama administration national security adviser Susan Rice, Rep. Karen Bass of California, Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.
The campaign is keeping in mind the recent protests nationwide that were in response to the deaths of Black men and women due to police brutality including George Floyd.
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Rep. Jim Clyburn, a House Democrat with deep ties to the Biden campaign told CNN that the issues of race are having a large impact on the search.
"You can do a search in order to check a box or you can do a search to get a running mate," he said. "I think this search is going to be genuine about getting a running mate rather than checking a box."
Sources told CNN the search committee is "making sure their pick lines up with what they think is going to be the most important message this fall."
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The search committee is led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, Delaware Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and former Biden counsel Cynthia Hogan.
Biden has previously said he intends to make his decision around August 1, however, some believe the nationwide protests could place pressure on the former vice president, causing him to pick a Black woman sooner rather than later.
His criteria for a running mate consists of someone who has run for office and been tested on the national stage and someone he believes to be a strong governing partner.
Several sources told CNN these traits remain critical in the search for his running mate.
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