At Sunday’s Democratic debate on CNN, Joseph R. Biden Jr. said for the first time that he would choose a woman to be his running mate.
“I commit that I will, in fact, appoint a woman to be vice president,” Mr. Biden said. “There are a number of women qualified to be president tomorrow.”
Mr. Biden made his commitment in response to a videotaped question from a voter posed first to Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont about how he would ensure his cabinet would be equipped to offer the best possible advice about women’s physical and financial health.
Here is a transcript of Mr. Biden’s response:
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.: Number one, I agree with the question and the underlying premise of Amy’s question. Number one, I committed that if I’m elected president to have an opportunity to appoint someone to the courts who will be appointing the first black woman of the courts. It’s required they have representation now. It’s long overdue.
Secondly, if I’m elected president, my cabinet, my administration will look like the country and I commit that I will, in fact, appoint a woman to be vice president. There are a number of women qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president is. Number three, I’m the guy that wrote the domestic violence law. I’m the guy that put in the prohibitions that no one who abuses someone else should be able to own a gun. Period they should not be able to own a gun.
