Duckworth emerging as a contender to be Biden’s running mate
By Sean Sullivan
July 5, 2020 at 10:25 p.m. EDT
As Joe Biden pushes ahead with his search for a running mate, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has quietly emerged as a serious contender, according to three people with knowledge of the selection process, one of several developing dynamics as the search enters its final weeks.
Duckworth is a Purple Heart recipient and veteran of the Iraq War, the only finalist with military combat experience — and as a woman of Thai and Chinese descent, one of several candidates of color under consideration. While she has a lower profile than some rivals, she is being taken seriously by Biden’s team, according to the people with knowledge of the search, one of whom said she has lately received strong consideration.
Former Senate majority leader Harry M. Reid, who has been in direct contact with the Biden campaign about its search, said in a recent interview there was a “lot of attention” lately on Duckworth, whom he called “a highly decorated woman.”
Reid suggested Duckworth’s qualifications are getting more notice. “You had all the other names there, and it was as if she didn’t exist,” Reid (D-Nev.) said. “And suddenly people began to look at her — this highly decorated woman, member of Congress, senator.”
Two others with knowledge of the search said Duckworth has been attracting notable interest from the campaign, including one who said Duckworth had left a strong impression on at least part of the Biden team. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
The Biden campaign declined to comment. A Duckworth spokesman also declined to comment.
Duckworth’s emergence comes as some Biden allies say former senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), a close friend of Biden’s, is taking a primary role in the search process. It is also unfolding as Republicans prepare to launch fierce attacks on whoever is chosen as running mate, believing that person might present an easier target than Biden himself.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/duckworth-emerging-as-a-contender-to-be-bidens-running-mate/2020/07/05/285fed3e-be60-11ea-bdaf-a129f921026f_story.html
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