Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said in a new interview that he would have no hesitation picking former first lady Michelle Obama to be his running mate, but added that he doubts she is interested in the position.
“I’d take her in a heartbeat,” Biden told Pittsburgh’s KDKA on Monday when asked if he’d choose Obama if she said she would be willing to be on the ticket with him.
“She’s brilliant. She knows the way around. She is a really fine woman. The Obamas are great friends,” Biden added.
Biden, however, said that he doesn’t think she is interested in the position.
“I don’t think she has any desire to live near the White House again,” he said.
Biden said he’s still in the process of deciding whom to pick. He again committed to choosing a woman but did not commit to choosing a woman of color.
“I’ll commit to that [it will] be a woman because it is very important that my administration look like the public, look like the nation. And there will be, committed that there will be a woman of color on the Supreme Court, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a vice president, as well,” Biden said.
The former vice president, who served under former President Barack Obama, has previously said that he would like Michelle Obama as his running mate.
At an Iowa campaign stop in January, he said he “sure would like Michelle to be the vice president.”
Several names have been speculated as potential running mates for Biden, including some of his former primary opponents who have shown interest in the position.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said last week in an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow that she would say yes if Biden asked her to be vice president, and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said last week she would be “honored” if she were being considered as Biden’s running mate.
Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has also said she would like to serve as vice president.
Abrams told Elle magazine last week she would make an “excellent” running mate for Biden.
Biden also confirmed earlier this month that he is considering Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) for the spot.