Last-minute identity politics battles consume Biden VP selection speculation

In the final days and hours before he announces his choice of running mate, Joe Biden is facing last-minute calls to make his vice presidential pick a black woman.

Several of the top contenders on Biden’s shortlist are black women, including the two most buzzed-about picks, California Sen. Kamala Harris and former national security adviser Susan Rice. But reports that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a white woman, flew via private jet to Delaware to meet with Biden last week stoked fears that the Democratic ticket, despite the party’s messaging on diversity, would consist of two white people.