Kamala Harris seen as Biden VP favorite as clock ticks

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Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is seen as the favorite as Joe Biden nears a decision on his vice presidential pick.

Harris would be the first Black woman and Indian American woman to be nominated on a major party’s presidential ticket, and she battled with Biden memorably on the debate stage more than a year ago.

Harris wouldn’t put a new state in play. She represents California, the largest electoral prize on the map but one that is completely safe for Democrats.

Yet many see her as the least risky pick for Biden, who is under pressure to select a woman of color as his veep, and someone who would be prepared to be president on day one.

“Knowing him, Kamala is the best pick for him,” said one longtime Biden confidant. “Their politics are very similar. I would be surprised if it wasn’t her.”

“I’d be shocked if it was anyone else,” the source added. “You’re getting to the degrees of risk after that.”

Still, sources say it’s not as if Harris has the race locked up.

If Biden doesn’t select Harris, it would come down to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) or former national security adviser Susan Rice, women the former vice president knows well, the confidant said.

Another source close to the campaign said Team Biden is giving Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) a serious look in the final days of deliberation. Bass leads the Congressional Black Caucus.

thehill.com

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