Sen. Jon Tester (D., Mont.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, hesitated to back Elizabeth Warren as a potential vice presidential pick for Hillary Clinton, questioning whether the United States was "ready" for a presidential ticket of two women, according to newly released audio.
Tester said in an interview with New York-based WNYC/PRI Saturday that Clinton’s rumored vice president pick Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio) would add a "nice mix" to the party’s ticket.
When asked about Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Tester paused before asking if the nation was prepared for a female pair to take on a presidential bid in the general election.
"There is all the traditional speculation around VP candidates, a couple of them are senators," WNYC/PRI reporter Todd Zwillich said. "Can you just give me your thinking?"
Tester replied that his "good friend" Brown would serve as a good choice for Clinton’s running mate.
"And Warren?" Zwillich asked.
"Uh, well, I don’t know. Is the country ready for two women? I don’t know. You know? I don’t know," Tester said.
The Associated Press reported Monday night that Clinton secured enough delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination.
While her campaign has not yet announced who the former secretary of state will select as her running mate, reports have confirmed frequent meetings between Clinton and Warren.
Upon endorsing Clinton’s presidential bid Tuesday morning, Senate Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said it would be "fabulous" for two women to top the ticket.