Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Being Vetted as Possible Joe Biden Running Mate: Report

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, once viewed as a longshot in the Democratic veepstakes, is being vetted as a potential running mate for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, Politico reports.

Bottoms, who has drawn praise for her response to the protests over police brutality, has “burst into contention,” according to the report.

Bottoms is being vetted by the campaign and has been tapped as a surrogate.

“I can tell you that obviously like so many mayors and governors across this country, my complete focus has been on our streets the last few days,” Bottoms said.

Prior to the protests, Bottoms drew national praise for her pushback on Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s coronavirus response and her response to the Ahmaud Arbery murder.

“When I saw the murder of George Floyd, I hurt like a mother would hurt. And, yesterday, when I heard there were rumors about violent protests in Atlanta, I did what a mother would do. I called my son and I said, 'Where are you?' I said, 'I cannot protect you, and black boys shouldn't be out today,’” she said last week. “So you aren’t going to out-concern me and out-care about where we are in America. I wear this each and every day. And I pray over our children each and every day.”

Focus turns to black women:

Though the Biden campaign appeared to be keen on Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the campaign has focused on selecting a black woman since the protests began.

“The time for the old playbook of getting geographic balance on the ticket has gone out the window with Sarah Palin,” said former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.). “These are extraordinary times, Joe is an extraordinary candidate. The only way he’s going to get the voters energized is to have a black woman candidate — a black woman — for vice president.”

“It’s not just a signal, it’s a cry. It’s a cry from the heart from American people — ‘we need to move into another direction,’” she added. “We need to repudiate white supremacy.”

Demings also considered:

The campaign is also said to be vetting Florida Rep. Val Demings, the former police chief in Orlando.

“To protect and serve, we all need to make adjustments,” Demings said. “You know why we see police chiefs and officers walking hand in hand with protesters? You know why we see some officers taking a knee? Doggone, it’s because there needs to be reform. They know the criminal justice system they work in needs to be reformed.”

Along with Bottoms and Demings, the campaign is also reportedly considering California Sen. Kamala Harris, former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice.

 

Related News
Comments