On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Senator Bernie Sanders and Vice President Joe Biden squared off for a very unique debate. Held in a secret location with no audience and no handshake, the two Presidential candidates stood six feet apart and tried to explain to the American people why they should become the next President of the United States of America.

As they pointed out their differences in health care, economics and gun rights, one statement stood out for people waiting to hear it.

“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.”

This question came in response to a videotaped question from an “audience” member asking how the candidates would ensure that their cabinets are equipped to offer the best possible advice about women’s physical and mental health.

The acknowledgement by Biden however, is huge.  As the current front-runner, if he does get the Democratic nod as Presidential nominee, America will have a major-party mixed-gender ticket in the general election for only the 4th time in History.  The previous three are shown below:

1984 - (D) Walter Mondale - Presidential nominee, Geraldine Ferraro - Running mate

2008 - (R) John McCain - Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin - Running mate

2016 - (D) Hillary Clinton - Presidential nominee, Tim Kaine - Running mate

On top of that, there are calls for Biden to not only choose a woman, but an African American woman as his running mate.  His campaign has made it clear that it was the African-American vote that propelled him to victory in South Carolina. It’s the African-American voters that have remained loyal to his campaign. As the only candidate who successfully made it to the White House on a ticket that had an African-American on it, this could be the opportunity to write the next chapter of that story.

It will be interesting to see how things pan out over the next few months.  What are your thoughts?