Former 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said on Thursday night that she had removed herself from the list of potential running-mates of Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Klobuchar told MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell that the protests against racist police brutality, which began in her state after the killing of George Floyd, prompted her to withdraw from consideration to have her name on the ticket.
“This is a historic moment, and America must seize on this moment,” the Minnesota senator said. “And I truly believe, as I actually told the vice president last night when I called him, that I think this is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket.”
Klobuchar argued that doing so would be “a hell of a way” to heal the country amid the unrest.
Though former primary rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren is reportedly one of the top contenders for the role, Biden’s campaign has reportedly been considering several black female lawmakers, such as his other former primary rival Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Rep. Val Demings (D-FL).
During the Democratic primary race, Klobuchar’s history as a former county prosecutor became a snag in her campaign amid growing pushes for criminal justice reform. One issue that arose was her prosecution Myon Burrell, a black man who was convicted for the death of an 11-year-old girl even though the investigation was riddled with flaws. Burrell has maintained his innocence.
More recently, Klobuchar came under fire for not pursuing criminal charges against former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was responsible for George Floyd’s death, in 2006 when he was involved in another instance of a fatal police brutality.
Klobuchar denied she had declined to charge Chauvin, claiming she was not involved in the case.
Watch Klobuchar below:
Klobuchar says she has withdrawn from pool of potential VP candidates for Biden, asserts “this is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket." pic.twitter.com/A2ejP98GFT
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) June 19, 2020
Excellent decision I say!
I don’t disagree with her decision, but I think the George Floyd situation had already taken her out of the VP running. But nice that she’s going out on a high note.
Many people are saying that she withdrew because she wasn’t in the short list. Still it’s a good thing to do. I wish her well.
Yeah, okay, Karen.
Now that is an example of non-self-interested leadership. We had forgotten what it looked like.
Thank you, Senator Klobuchar.