CBS This Morning co-host Gayle King on Tuesday cheered on Democrat Stacey Abrams’s very public campaign to become Joe Biden’s vice presidential pick. King also coached Abrams on how to apply for the job, touting her “great” answer to one question.
The journalist began by tossing this softball: “Joe Biden is looking for a VP, I know you heard. There's an article out this morning that says Stacey Abrams would be the right pick for him. I am assuming you agree with that. Why do you think you would be a good choice for Joe Biden?”
After Abrams highlighted her “willingness to serve” as vice president, King offered some coaching on personalizing the VP pitch: “I just want to say this: That's a great nuts and bolts answer because everybody knows you're extremely qualified. I'm looking for something about Stacy Abrams the person. Why she's a good choice and have you had any talks at all with the Biden team?”
It should also be pointed out that Oprah Winfrey is a 60 Minutes contributor who was forced to, temporarily, step away from CBS because of her campaigning for Abrams in 2018. Winfrey is best friends with… Gayle King.
As though the VP spot was a done deal, King hinted, “Stacey Abrams I hope this is not our last conversation. Something tells me it isn't.” It’s long been clear that the hosts at CBS This Morning are fans of Abrams.
Over a year ago, on March 27, 2019, guest host Alex Wagner hyped the second spot: “During the lunch with [Joe Biden], did the conversation of a potential future ticket between the two of you... you being his vice president on the ticket? Did that come up?” Then-co-host John Dickerson suggested that Abrams should run for president.
A transcript of the questions can be found below. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS This Morning
4/21/2020
8:03AM ET
GAYLE KING: First on CBS This Morning, Stacy Abrams joins us from Atlanta to announce a new initiative that she's working on. It’s helping people hit the hardest by the coronavirus. Abrams is the founder of Fair Fight 2020 and as you know was a 2018 Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia. Good morning to you Stacey Abrams. Always good to see you.
STACEY ABRAMS: Good morning.
KING: I want to talk about your initiative in just a second but first I want to start with your governor's decision to re-open. I want to get your reaction to that. You have called it dangerously incompetent. What concerns you?
…
KING: I was also wondering, Stacey, how do you social distance in a barber shop or nail salon or tattoo shop? But your governor said he knows some cases will go up. Hold on for two seconds. He says he knows cases will go up but the state is better prepared to handle it and that he doesn't give a damn about politics at this particular time. Do you think that's true?
…KING: So what do you think will take to get the testing right in Georgia?
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KING: Let's talk about your new initiative, if we can move on. It says you'll give $1,000 to 100,000 households. How are you selecting the people that will get the money and where is the money coming from?
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KING: Let's talk about the VP slot, Joe Biden is looking for a VP, I know you heard. There's an article out this morning that says Stacey Abrams would be the right pick for him. I am assuming you agree with that. Why do you think you would be a good choice for Joe Biden?
ABRAMS: Part of my response not becoming governor in 2018 was not to hide my head but no really work on addressing the core issues facing our country. I set up a national 18 state infrastructure to protect our elections. I set up a seven state organization that is working census. And through the Southern Economic Advancement Project I have been able to propel fresh EDT and address the economic needs of our most economically vulnerable and least resilient communities. I believe I have the capacity, the competence and skills and willingness to serve. But I'll say this. My first responsibility is to make sure that the work I'm doing across this country working with federal, state and local leaders helps serve the people who need at any time most. That's why I'm so excited what we're doing with Project100.us, which is getting resources directly to those who need it at a time when our government is moving too slowly to serve the most vulnerable. SNAP recipients --
KING: I just want to say this: That's a great nuts and bolts answer because everybody knows you're extremely qualified. I'm looking for something about Stacy Abrams the person. Why she's a good choice and have you had any talks at all with the Biden team?
ABRAMS: I've been very privileged to work closely with the Biden team in recent weeks having conversations particularly about how we get Congress to respond to the needs on our voting infrastructure. What we saw happen in Wisconsin is unconscionable. I was born there. I have family still living there. The fact that they had to risk their lives to participate in an election is a travesty. The work we've done through Fair Fight 2020 has helped mitigate that fight in 18 states. We have more work to do. I want to serve our country whether I do so in elected office or at the nonprofit level or as a small business own. My responsibility is to make America stronger and I'm excited to be a part of this conversation.
KING: All right, Stacy Abrams I hope this is not our last conversation. Something tells me it isn't. Always good to see you. Thank you, ma’am.
