The identity of the candidate for the vice-presidency of the United States will not remain a mystery for long. The future running mate of Joe Biden should indeed speak on Wednesday August 19 at the Democratic convention just before Barack Obama takes the floor. And his name could be released before the event, scheduled for August 17-20 and organized online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is at this convention that Joe Biden, 77, vice-president during the eight years of the Obama presidency, will be officially nominated as a presidential candidate to face Donald Trump on November 3. The Democratic leader has promised to call a woman to his side, who would become the first vice president of the United States if he accedes to the White House.
Favorite Senator Kamala Harris
With the historic wave of anger against racism that gripped the United States after the death of George Floyd, the pressure increased for him to choose a black woman.
Now big favorite, former prosecutor Kamala Harris, 55, is the second black senator in US history. Ex-rival of Joe Biden in the Democratic primary, the Californian must already give a speech Thursday evening, thus closing the convention.
Another favorite does not appear on the program: Susan Rice, 55, former national security adviser to Barack Obama. But the poster is not yet complete and could easily change.
Other prospective running mates will deliver speeches: Progressive Senator and former White House candidate Elizabeth Warren (Wednesday), Senator and former military Tammy Duckworth (Thursday), Michigan governors Gretchen Whitmer (Monday) and New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham (Wednesday), or Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (Thursday). Two black congressmen, Karen Bass and Val Demings, also feature high in the forecasts.
Michelle and Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and the Clintons
The Obama couple will share the headlining with the Democratic candidate and his wife Jill. Still hugely popular with Democrats, former President Barack Obama will speak on Wednesday while his wife Michelle gives the main speech on Monday.
"Joe Biden will speak about his vision to bring America together to lift us out of constant chaos and crisis," the organizers wrote in the official program, released Tuesday.
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The candidate's wife, Jill Biden, 69, a teacher, very present at his side during the campaign, will headline Tuesday night.
Big rival of Joe Biden in the primary, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders will deliver a speech Monday and the young rising star of the Progressives, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who supported him during the primary, will take the microphone Tuesday.
Also on the convention calendar: former president Bill Clinton (Tuesday) and Hillary Clinton, ex-secretary of state and unsuccessful presidential candidate in 2016 (Wednesday).
A Republican will also speak in the midst of Democratic personalities: the former governor of Ohio John Kasich (Monday), unhappy rival of Donald Trump during the 2016 primary and symbol of these conservatives who are fleeing the current president.