Biden's Ideal VP Choice: Fusing Science with Compassion
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Chapter 1: A Vision for Democratic Leadership
In recent years, I've contemplated various Democratic national tickets that could not only overpower Donald Trump but also ensure a Democratic Senate while maintaining Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. During 2017 and early 2018, I proposed a Cuomo/Klobuchar pairing, considering Andrew Cuomo's emergence as a leading figure in addressing COVID-19, which even landed him on the cover of Rolling Stone.
As a progressive and a Warren Democrat, I initially supported the all-female ticket of Clinton/Warren in 2016. With Elizabeth Warren announcing her presidential candidacy in 2020, I envisioned a formidable Warren/Cory Booker alliance, especially given Hillary Clinton's loss which highlighted the need for a strong African American candidate on the Democratic ticket.
However, as Booker and Kamala Harris struggled to gain traction in their campaigns, Joe Biden emerged as a viable option to challenge Trump. This led many Democratic activists to discuss potential vice-presidential candidates as if we were building fantasy sports teams. When Biden expressed his intention to select a woman for the ticket, the pool of candidates shrank significantly. Occasionally, the idea of a Biden/Booker, Biden/Cuomo, or even Biden/Barack Obama ticket was entertained.
As Biden refines his list of potential female running mates, it is crucial that he selects a woman of color. This choice would energize voter turnout among the Democratic Party's most steadfast supporters—women, particularly Black women. Many might initially consider Michelle Obama as a top candidate, but the former First Lady has consistently expressed her disinterest. Fortunately, there are strong contenders in Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, Val Demings, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (who is Asian/Pacific Islander).
Yet, the dire ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic may have highlighted the most fitting choice for Biden. The ideal candidate has been an advocate for public health for years, addressing crises such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and health disparities. Her name is Dr. Helene D. Gayle. A quick search for Dr. Gayle will reveal her impressive credentials.
Dr. Gayle holds an MD from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master's in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She dedicated two decades to the CDC, where she led the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention. Her groundbreaking work on HIV/AIDS caught the attention of Bill & Melinda Gates, who recruited her to oversee their Foundation’s HIV, TB, and Reproductive Health Program for five years, extending her expertise to the most vulnerable communities globally. In 2005, she took on a leadership role at CARE, USA, an organization that aids over 80 million individuals across 93 countries and is actively combating the COVID-19 pandemic (www.care.org).
Dr. Gayle was the President and CEO of CARE for a decade, during which she helped millions recover from disasters and improve access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Public Health Association, and the National Academy of Medicine. Her accolades include being named one of the most powerful women in the world by Forbes and one of the top 100 "Global Thinkers" by Foreign Policy. Her extensive administrative accomplishments surpass those of all other potential female VP candidates combined.
Chapter 2: The Power of Public Health Advocacy
Dr. Helene D. Gayle, MD, CEO, shares similarities with Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has earned public trust through clear, science-based communication. Like Fauci, she hails from New York and has devoted her career to enhancing public health. As one of five children in a Buffalo, NY family that valued education, she attended Barnard College at Columbia University before pursuing her medical degree.
Dr. Gayle has chaired President Obama's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and founded a McKinsey Social Initiative that fosters public/private partnerships for social impact. She was among the first global health officials to recognize the significant impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on marginalized communities.
During my tenure as CEO of Cable Positive, the AIDS advocacy organization within the Cable & Telecommunications sector, I had the privilege of collaborating with Dr. Gayle on several educational initiatives aimed at communities of color. In 2008, the industry honored her with its only Humanitarian Award.
Three years ago, Dr. Gayle transitioned to Chicago to lead one of the oldest and largest community foundations, the Chicago Community Trust, focusing on closing racial and ethnic wealth gaps. This move allowed her to apply her hands-on experience and analytical problem-solving skills across various regions of the country, from the coasts to the South, and now to the heartland. She exemplifies a global citizen, deeply compassionate, experienced, and highly capable.
For Joe Biden and the American populace, Dr. Helene Gayle stands out as the most qualified candidate for Vice President during this unprecedented public health crisis. It's fundamentally about science and humanity.
This video covers the announcement of Kamala Harris as Biden's Vice Presidential pick on The Tonight Show, highlighting the significance of her selection.
In this clip, Biden discusses his choice of Kamala Harris, calling it the best decision of his career, emphasizing the importance of their partnership in the face of national challenges.