Jill Biden Talks Michelle Obama For Vice President

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The presidential race has now turned in part to the question of who presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will select as a running mate. He has committed to selecting a woman as his running mate — which, if he and his running mate win, would mean the first time that a woman has occupied the office. He has praised the idea of selecting former First Lady Michelle Obama as his running mate, and now his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, has done the same — although there’s the important caveat that it’s seemingly likely that Michelle Obama would actually decline on taking the job if asked.

On CNN this Friday, Jill Biden said:

‘There’s so many qualified, strong women, and you’ve seen them in the process that we’ve gone through. So I’m going to leave that up to him. I think that Joe has always said that he and Barack shared the same values and that’s what was so important to him and that’s why they got along so well. And I think that’s what he’ll look for, a woman who will share the same values that he does… I’d love it if Michelle would agree to it. But you know, I think she’s had it with politics. I don’t know. She’s so good at everything she does. That would be wonderful.’

Indeed — Michelle Obama has previously downplayed the idea of running for the presidency. Last year, she insisted:

‘There’s zero chance. There are so many ways to improve this country and build a better world, and I keep doing plenty of them, from working with young people to helping families lead healthier lives. But sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office will never be one of them. It’s just not for me.’

In fact, most recently, she’s even launched a voting advocacy organization called When We All Vote, which is designed to get people to turn out to the polls. Large turnout frequently seems to sink Republican contenders, who frequently seem to rely on comparatively small groups of dedicated idelogues as their voting base.

The speculation about the Obamas’ future has kept up. Former Vice President Biden himself commented recently, in reference to Michelle:

‘She’s brilliant. She knows the way around. She is a really fine woman. The Obamas are great friends. I don’t think she has any desire to live near the White House again.’

Meanwhile, other potential contenders for the spot of Biden’s running mate have also been discussed. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who has been forceful in trying to procure the resources that her state needs to combat the Coronavirus, has been one suggestion, but she insisted recently that she currently has the job — meaning governor — that she wants. In contrast, Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren recently said that she would agree to serve as Biden’s vice president if asked.

Other options that have been discussed include Georgia political leader Stacey Abrams, who launched a high-profile bid for her state’s governorship and has since taken up prominent voting rights advocacy.