Elizabeth Warren endorses Joe Biden as Democrats unify against Trump

Ms Warren is a possible candidate to run alongside Mr Biden as nominee for vice president

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden at the sixth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season on December 19, 2019. AFP

Democratic presumptive nominee Joe Biden snatched another big-name endorsement for his presidential bid on Wednesday from progressive Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, a former campaign rival.

In a three and half minute video posted on her Twitter feed, Ms Warren became the last of Mr Biden’s former rivals to endorse him and urged party unity. “We’re all in this together now… it’s up to all of us to help make Joe Biden the next president of the United States. Let’s get to work,” she said.

The Senator, who is known for her working-class and economic-driven message, stressed Mr Biden’s attributes as a healer and a unifier. “Empathy matters. And, in this moment of crisis, it's more important than ever that the next president restores Americans' faith in good, effective government," she said.

“We can't afford to let Donald Trump continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of every American.”

Mr Biden thanked Ms Warren on Twitter, borrowing one of her lines to create a government that’s not just for the wealthy and well-connected:

Her endorsement follows that of former President Barack Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders this week. It offers Mr Biden another boost and emphasizes party unity between the leftist and centrist wings.

Former nominee Hillary Clinton is expected to follow suit in the coming days, and progressive voices such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez are considering an early endorsement as well.

The timing strengthens Mr Biden’s momentum as US President Donald Trump is grappling with the US response to the coronavirus pandemic, and lower approval ratings as a result.

But Ms Warren’s endorsement and her roll-out of a personal black and white video have increased speculation that Mr Biden may be considering nominating her as his vice president. The idea was popular among his advisers in 2016 when he flirted with a run and then declined because of the loss of his son Beau that year.

But Ms Warren could reinforce a unity message if picked as vice president. Her views on trade and opposition to Wall Street resonate with the working class and she is popular with the youth that have not embraced the Biden campaign.

Others on Mr Biden’s shortlist include African American Senator Kamala Harris, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, Latina Senator Catherine Masto Cortez, Georgia politician Stacey Abrams, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

It is unclear when Mr Biden will make the pick, which is traditionally announced before the party convention, due to be held in August in Wisconsin.

Mr Biden has pulled ahead in national polls against Mr Trump during the pandemic, and has expanded the swing states map to include Arizona. A Predictive Insights poll showed Mr Biden leading in the Southwestern state by nine points this week.

The economic fallout is hurting Mr Trump’s chances. Retail total sales plunged by 8.7 percent in March according to the Commerce Department. US stocks and oil prices also fell on Wednesday.