[Opinion] A female vice president might be the key to Biden winning the 2020 election
TNS
On March 3, 2020 Democratic Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, held a rally at the Baldwin Hills Recreation Center in Los Angeles with his wife, Jill, and sister, Valerie. Photo courtesy of Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS
April 17, 2020
America has gone through a wide variety of changes over the past century from electing its first female congressman in 1917 to electing the first-ever African-American President in 2008.
This nation has evolved into an incredibly progressive country, despite its legislative shortcomings. However, there is one important move that many former Presidential candidates have overlooked: allowing a woman to be their vice president.
Luckily enough, former Vice President and current Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, announced that his running mate will be a woman.
This decision could positively impact Biden’s campaign, as he has experienced some trouble with trying to appeal to millennials and Generation Z. According to the Morning Consult, 39% of millennials and 29% of Generation Z support Biden. These numbers are not nearly enough for Biden to win the national election.
Since Senator Bernie Sanders has suspended his campaign, the younger generations have very few options, and some do not find Biden to be a desirable candidate. In order to dominate the general election, Biden must secure the vote of younger generations by any means necessary.
A female vice president should be able to aid Biden in gaining a stronger following that includes the younger generations.
According to Pew Research Center, only 23% of millennials voted in the 2016 election. A female vice president could increase voter turnout as it appeals to millennials’ progressive ideals. This should make them less likely to vote third party or avoid voting altogether.
A female vice president has a massive impact on a candidate’s campaign. This decision allows younger voters to see how progressive a politician can be.
This commitment is long overdue; America is in dire need of a woman in the White House, even if she is not the president. A woman with such authority will allow the general public to see how capable women are in politics.
In the 2018 midterm election, 117 women were appointed to congress. Americans have shown their desire to see women represented in politics.
Biden’s decision is historic and hopefully will strengthen the likelihood of a woman becoming president in the future.
