Joe Biden must pick a progressive black woman as VP if he wants to win

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) officially suspended his campaign and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden (D). With the Kumbaya and seemingly collegial moment between Sanders and Biden, it’s now time to move forward. The movement that Sanders started continues. With the early gift of Sanders’ endorsement, Joe Biden may swiftly move to select a vice presidential nominee. Biden should select a running mate who will bridge the Sanders’ progressive movement with the Biden campaign. Biden must pick a progressive black woman as his running mate — if he is to have any chance of winning the election.

During the final debate between Biden and Sanders, Joe Biden promised to select a woman as his running mate. Sanders upped him by saying he would select a progressive. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-Ga.) infused energy into Biden’s lackluster and perhaps losing primary campaign with his endorsement.

That endorsement fueled Joe Biden’s South Carolina win and the other wins throughout the South, Midwest and West. Clyburn’s endorsement set Biden up to take a statistical insurmountable lead against Sanders. Clyburn’s endorsement will do nothing to bring aboard Bernie Sanders's progressives. Biden will need to show by action that he is committed to a progressive movement to win over some of Sanders’ support.