Mr Biden has vowed to pick a woman as his running mate, which is admirable, but he needs to go further and pick a black woman who will motivate black female voters to return to the polls. Senator Warren will not, and there are several excellent Black Democratic women who will.

Richard kavesh
Nyack, New York State

For the publisher:

D “Calls on the rise for Biden to choose a black woman»(Press article, June 11):

One person eminently qualified as a Democratic VP candidate was unfortunately excluded from this otherwise comprehensive article. She is African American, more experienced in politics and diplomacy than any of the names mentioned and no doubt the one who would help unite our nation. We’re talking about Condoleezza Rice.

Of course, she’s a Republican, but she’s not an ideologue. Yes, there are missteps in her past, but she cares deeply about America. Plus, she’s business-friendly, a proven administrator, and a smart whip. If Joe Biden really wants “someone strong” and someone “who is ready to be president on day one,” he should call Condi.

A Democratic-Republican ticket can win – and unite America in the process.

Nikki Wood
Jim Wood
Tiburon, California

For the publisher:

D “Biden’s perfect running companion», By Rachel Bitecofer (Op-Ed, May 27):

We certainly don’t need a complementary choice to the tickets, but rather a choice of balancing the tickets. Moreover, Joe Biden does not need the help of his choice of vice president to rebuild the “blue wall” of Democrats in the Midwest.

When it comes to ticket balancing, Kamala Harris is ahead of Elizabeth Warren in terms of diversity, experience, and appeal to independents and suburban voters.

Then there is the sweet karma of role reversal. In 2008, a mixed race presidential candidate chose a white man for balancing the tickets as vice president. woman for work. It just can’t be better than Biden-Harris.