EXETER, N.H. (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden entertained the idea of choosing a Republican as a 2020 running mate as he campaigned Monday — though he said he didn't have anyone specific in mind.
A voter told Biden during a Monday afternoon event in Exeter, New Hampshire, that her son wondered if he would consider choosing a Republican as a running mate.
"The answer is, I would, but I can't think of one now," Biden said as the crowd laughed.
Biden said there are "some really decent Republicans that are out there still," but that "they've got to step up."
At the start of Monday's event, Biden reminded voters his goal is to unite the country.
"I refuse to accept the proposition that we'll be in a state of perpetual war with Republicans, because you can't govern the country if that's the case," Biden said. "We are a democracy, and our democracy depends upon consensus. We have to be able to pull the country together."
Biden is sometimes asked about possible running mates by voters on the campaign trail. During his answer Monday he said it was presumptuous to talk about the idea at this point in the campaign.
If he becomes the Democratic nominee, Biden said, he'd want to pick someone "simpático" with him and his priorities, telling voters there are "a lot of qualified women," and "a lot of qualified African Americans."
"There's a plethora of really qualified people," Biden said.
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