The all-inclusive big tent party over there on the left has a litmus test for selecting a vice-presidential candidate for the upcoming presidential election. But the list of contenders is anything but inclusive.

The Democrat Party's presumptive nominee Joe Biden has got to pick a woman as his running mate. Not just any woman, but an African American woman – and not just any African American woman. Biden's running mate has got to be an African American woman with strong socialist tendencies.

Mad Maxine has spoken. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) has declared, “Let me guarantee you this, based on everything that I know and understand, and the help that (Biden) has already gotten from the Black community…he can’t go home without a Black woman being VP,” Waters said. “We’re going to have a Black woman VP.”

Biden has blurted out one racist remark after another on the campaign trail. But what he says is generally ignored because he is expected to select a Black woman as his running mate. The quid pro quo.

Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Senator Kamala Harris appear to be the finalists for the position. An announcement is imminent.

It troubles me that we have adopted an affirmative action approach to selecting candidates for high office. The Democrats' approach to picking Biden's running mate is based solely on her gender and the color of her skin and nothing more. I'd prefer that the potential veep's qualifications run a bit deeper than that. It's not about getting the most qualified candidate. It's about getting a candidate who is the right gender and skin color.

By limiting the search criteria in such a manner, the Democrats are discriminating against transgender folks. All Asians are out, as are Latinos, Irish lassies, all Eskimos, Native Americans, and men of all races and religions. Dr. King would hurl if he knew the first Black female vice-presidential candidate was nominated because of the color of her skin and not the content of her character.

Who knew all of this inclusiveness could be so divisive?

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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