Biden, Abrams reps pour cold water on running mate 'rumors'
By ELANA SCHOR, Associated Press
Mar 22, 2019 4:56 PM CDT
FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2018 file photo, former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to supporters in Atlanta. Abrams has gone from losing the Georgia governor’s race to being a heavily recruited Democratic star. It’s a dramatic rise often fueled by the promotional spending...   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Representatives for Joe Biden and Stacey Abrams say that rumors the former vice president planned to choose the onetime Georgia gubernatorial candidate as his 2020 running mate are "false" and that there was "no grand plan hatched."

Biden spokesman Bill Russo tweeted Friday that the ex-vice president "has an enormous amount of respect for" Abrams, noting Biden endorsed her in the gubernatorial race. "But," Russo tweeted, "these rumors about discussions on a pre-cooked ticket are false, plain and simple."

Abrams' spokeswoman Lauren Groh-Wargo responded by saying Abrams "enjoyed meeting" with Biden but "there was no grand plan hatched" and she was keeping her options for 2020 open.

Both Biden and Abrams are considering 2020 Democratic presidential runs, and Biden advisers had reportedly discussed options to mitigate concerns about his age.

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