Report: Biden ponders Abrams as running-mate

Democrat Stacey Abrams, riding on a wave of attention following her delivery of her party’s response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, has remained in the spotlight as she waits to announce what race she’ll run in next. Some are even suggesting the presidency, but a writer who analyzed that prospect says it would be a different terrain than the one she faced when she came close to winning Georgia’s race for governor. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Democrat Stacey Abrams, riding on a wave of attention following her delivery of her party’s response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, has remained in the spotlight as she waits to announce what race she’ll run in next. Some are even suggesting the presidency, but a writer who analyzed that prospect says it would be a different terrain than the one she faced when she came close to winning Georgia’s race for governor. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Former Vice President Joe Biden's aides are debating whether he should launch a bid for the White House with a pledge to make Democrat Stacey Abrams his running mate, according to an Axios report.

The outlet reported Thursday that his advisers are deeply divided over the idea, with some hoping that it could balance his appeal to Democrats who demand a more diverse ticket and others worried it would be perceived as a gimmick.

The private sit-down between Abrams and Biden earlier this month has only fed the speculation, and though details about the meeting have been scant, Abrams' insiders say Biden made no formal request about running on the same ticket.

There’s another catch: Abrams still hasn’t figured out her next step, whether it be a run for U.S. Senate, a bid for governor or prepping her own presidential bid.

And her aides acknowledge that while Biden’s team might be pondering a joint ticket, she has yet to firm up her own plans.

“You have to be intentional, but you also have to be flexible,” Abrams said this week at Vanderbilt University. “I never thought I’d be mentioned for Senate or that my name would be bandied about for president - yet.”