Elizabeth Warren stumps for Hillary Clinton, joining other VP prospects
Progressive icon Elizabeth Warren will hit the campaign trail with Hillary Clinton in Ohio next week, further fueling speculation that the Massachusetts senator is in the running to be Clinton's vice presidential pick. Warren was spotted at Clinton's campaign headquarters in Brooklyn last week, too.
But Warren is far from the first rumored VP prospect to campaign with the presumptive Democratic nominee. Warren only endorsed Clinton two weeks ago, after she won the delegates necessary to clinch the nomination; many other potential Clinton running mates have long been on the team, and campaigning for her since before the Iowa caucuses.
The vetting process for Clinton's veep pick is reportedly underway, though Clinton said earlier this month that she's not sure whether her choice will be announced before the Democratic convention in Philadelphia late next month.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who often shows up high on possible VP lists, has been a frequent campaigner for Clinton--including in the lead-up to Virginia's primary on Super Tuesday. He appeared with her at a rally in Fairfax, Va., the day before the primary; before that, he had hit the campaign trail in Iowa on her behalf.
Another frequent surrogate is Labor Secretary Tom Perez, also on many speculative shortlists. He's held campaign conference calls boosting Clinton, as well as campaigning with her as early as December in Iowa. When the race came to California in May and June, Perez attended a rally in Chula Vista, Calif., with former President Bill Clinton.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, too, lent a hand to Clinton in his home state ahead of the primary there. Texas voted on Super Tuesday in March as well; Castro was on hand at a "Latinos for Hillary" rally back in October, and also campaigned with her in Houston in February.
Other possible Democratic pols on Clinton's shortlist who have hit the trail include Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Xavier Becerra, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Most helped out Clinton in their home states ahead of their respective primaries; some also flew to early states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to stump with her or on her behalf.
As Clinton's team continues vetting VP picks, those prospects' efforts on her behalf could play a big role in who's ultimately chosen: a running mate's chief role is to play attack dog against the other party's nominee, and most nominees find it important to choose someone with whom they have a good rapport out on the trail. In other words, for these pols, campaigning for Clinton this year has essentially been a VP audition.
CBS News' Hannah Fraser-Chanpong contributed to this report.
