Biden advisers mull launch naming Abrams as running mate: report

Advisers to former Vice President Joe Biden are reportedly considering a 2020 presidential campaign launch announcement naming Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams as his running mate.

Axios reported Thursday that Biden’s aides think pairing him with Abrams, a rising Democratic star who fought a tough gubernatorial campaign late last year, would show he is not “just another old white guy.”

Biden, 76, has not yet jumped into the race, but would join a pool of Democrats historically diverse in age, race and gender.

{mosads}Abrams, 45, was ultimately unsuccessful in her bid for Georgia governor, but she has maintained a national profile and delivered the Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union address in February.

It was reported last week that the former vice president is considering an early VP selection for his campaign and has discussed the possibility with his advisers and other top party figures.

According to Axios, Biden’s advisers are on the fence about an early announcement, expressing concern that announcing Abrams as a running mate could be seen as a “gimmick” and could open Biden up to criticism that he is overlooking his fellow Democratic candidates as possible VPs.

The former vice president’s office declined to comment to Axios.

Biden and Abrams met last week as rumors swirled of both candidates entering the race. Abrams has met with a number of other 2020 Democrats as well, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren, (Mass.), Kamala Harris (Calif.) and Cory Booker (N.J.).

Abrams said earlier this month that under a previous career plan, 2028 had been the earliest she would consider a run for president. She quickly added that a run in 2020 is “definitely on the table.”