During an interview with CNN’s Van Jones Friday night, Gillibrand admitted that she is troubled that Democrats are choosing white guys for their top 2020 candidates. A new CNN poll found that three white guys (two ancient, one less so, all pretty well off) are currently leading the crowded field of Democratic presidential hopefuls: twice-failed presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, thwarted 2016 presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), and Senate seat loser Rep. Beto O’Rourke (TX).
“In a party as diverse as ours, does it worry you to see the top three being white guys?” Jones asked Gillibrand, in a moment highlighted by The Hill. “Yes,” said Gillibrand.
Asked to elaborate on her one-word answer, she responded by suggesting that Democrats choosing three white men over the women and minorities in the long list of presidential hopefuls is more evidence that this country doesn’t fully embrace diversity, though she did celebrate that Barack Obama was elected twice.
“I aspire for our country to recognize the beauty of our diversity at some point in the future and I hope someday we have a woman president,” she said. “I love the fact that Barack Obama was our president for eight years, I hope more people of color not only aspire [but] win the presidency, because that’s what makes America so extraordinary, that we are all of that, we are everything, and I think a more inclusive America is a stronger America.”- READ MORE