Bernie Sanders outlined the qualities he’d like to see in Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential pick during an interview on Wednesday, telling NBC’s “Today” show host Matt Lauer that he “would like to see the most progressive person possible.”
Sanders dismissed speculation about his own potential as a running mate for his former rival — the day after he endorsed Clinton at a joint rally in New Hampshire — saying also “that issue has not yet come up” and insisting he is “very happy, very proud to represent the state of Vermont in the United States Senate.”
As for whoever does become the pick, Sanders listed a number of recommendations consistent with the central themes of his own presidential campaign, saying what he thinks about it “doesn’t surprise anybody” while acknowledging that as the nominee, the choice was ultimately up to Clinton.
“We need somebody who is not attached to Wall Street. We need somebody who has a history of standing up and fighting for working families. Somebody who believes that health care should be a right of all people, and that we should make college education, public colleges and universities tuition-free. So I would like to see the most progressive person possible.”
A formidable primary rival, Sanders wasn’t expected to garner significant VP speculation and hasn’t appeared on Clinton shortlists in reports on the vetting process. Remaining favorites include Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Labor Secretary Tom Perez, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.