Commerce secretary: US ‘absolutely’ ready for 2 women on ticket

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said she believes the United States is “absolutely” ready for two women on a presidential ticket, amid rumors she is on Vice President Harris’s shortlist for a potential running mate.

Raimondo joined CBS’s Nancy Cordes on Thursday to discuss the presidential election and the recent shake-up after President Biden bowed out Sunday and endorsed Harris.

Asked if voters, particularly male ones, are ready to see two women on the ticket, Raimondo said, “absolutely.”

“Look, I think the American people are ready for the team that can lead — whoever that is, regardless of, you know, gender or race or background,” she said, pointing to her background as a businesswoman and former governor of Rhode Island.

“I’ve run a business. I’ve run a state for two terms. I now run a huge agency. I’m an executive,” Raimondo said. “Any executive knows, if you want to get the job done, you hire the right people in the right spots at the right time to get it done.”

“And the American people are looking for action,” she continued. “They’re yearning for leadership to solve their problems, and I think they’ll get behind who they can trust to fight for them and to put their interests first and get the job done.”

Raimondo is one of several Democrats mentioned as a potential Harris running mate. Others include Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The Democratic National Committee expects to start a virtual roll-call vote for Harris next Thursday. If she secures the nomination, the committee expects her to select a running mate in advance of Aug. 7.

The Democratic National Convention begins Aug. 19 in Chicago.