Vice President Joe Biden may not be showing up for Tuesday’s Democratic debate in Las Vegas, but one Democratic senator is convinced that he will at some point enter the race.
Speaking during an interview Monday at the gala dinner of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said, “If I was a betting woman, I’d say he is.”
When asked by Leigh Gallagher, assistant managing editor at Fortune, if she thought Biden would announce in the next 24 hours, in which case he could still qualify to participate in CNN’s debate, Gillibrand said, “No, I have no idea.”
“I think he’s always aspired to it. He’s been the vice president for a long time,” Gillibrand said. “I think he’s a wonderful public servant who cares deeply about the issues. And he’s a champion. And he wants to fight for the values and his goals for America. So if I had to bet today, I bet he does.”
The White House schedule for Tuesday only shows Biden attending President Obama’s daily briefing, followed by meetings at the White House.
The senator was also asked about whether the controversy around Hillary Clinton’s homebrew email server was a fair concern for the 2016 election. Clinton has been “forthcoming and straight forward,” replied Gillibrand, who has said she is supporting Clinton for president. She said she hopes the debates include things other than Clinton’s server.
Gillibrand was also asked if businessman Donald Trump could be the Republican nominee, but said, “I don’t know,” and seemed much more impressed with Carly Fiorina.
“You know, she’s a strong woman whose really holding her own in a very, very expansive field, and I think it’s important that women run,” Gillibrand said of the former Hewlett Packard CEO. “I think it’s really important that women show not only do they have an agenda for this country, but they have strong values, and their going to fight for them. And I think it’s great for America to have strong women candidates running.”
Gallagher then asked if Gillibrand herself would consider running for the White House, reading a few news headlines that supported the idea.
“I don’t aspire to it,” said Gillibrand, who then said her current job is “amazing.”
“I’m supporting Hillary, I really want her to run,” said Gillibrand. “I think she is the most qualified person we could have running for president today, and I’m going to work very hard to see her elected.”
When asked if she might join the Clinton ticket as the vice presidential candidate, Gillibrand said she would not be able to since they both served in the same state. “It’s a constitutional impediment. It’s too bad,” said Gillibrand with a smile.
