Joe Biden has used a not-so-woke analogy in evaluating female running mate choices.
The New York Times reported on Monday that the 2020 presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has previously compared potential vice presidential picks to "calendar models," such as "Mr. August," "Mr. October," or "Mr. January." Each of those months were coordinated to alleged strengths, with October meaning "effective campaigners," August meaning "a shot of momentum in the summer," and January translated to "a governing partner, politics notwithstanding."
The report goes on to say that Biden is considering a combination of October and January, meaning someone who can help drive up turnout and eventually be a competent administrator in the White House.
Biden's private remarks are reminiscent of Mitt Romney's " binders full of women" line during the second presidential debate of the 2012 general election. During a question-and-answer session with the audience, the Republican nominee, a former Massachusetts governor and now a Utah senator, was asked about professional opportunities for women.
Recalling his business career in private equity and hiring for staff positions in Massachusetts state government, Romney recalled. "All of the applicants seem to be men. And I said, 'Well, gosh, can't we find some women who are also qualified?'" before adding that he "went to a number of women's groups, and I said, 'Can you help us find folks?' And they brought us binders full of women."
Those remarks were quickly mocked on social media, and some analysts said the remarks contributed to losing the female vote to President Barack Obama that November, along with the White House.
Biden has since promised to nominate a woman for vice president, announcing the decision during a March primary debate.
“If I’m elected president, my Cabinet, my administration will look like the country,” Biden said on March 15. “I commit that I will … pick a woman to be vice president. There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president.”
Several Democratic lawmakers are currently under consideration, including Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
