Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll GOP set to release controversial Biden report Can Donald Trump maintain new momentum until this November? MORE (D) said Sunday that he would begin the process of searching for a vice presidential candidate in a few weeks as he cements his lead as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary race for the White House.

In comments to reporters during a phone call with members of the media and supporters, the former vice president said that he was looking at a minimum of "six or seven" possible candidates for the position.

“I have to start that vetting process relatively soon, meaning in a matter of weeks," Biden said. "I think there will be a group that is in excess of six or seven people that I look at – because those background checks matter."

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Biden in the call acknowledged he had consulted with former President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaDemocratic Senate campaign arm outraises GOP by M in August A federal court may have declared immigration arrests unconstitutional Blunt says vote on Trump court nominee different than 2016 because White House, Senate in 'political agreement' MORE about his possible pick. During a debate earlier in the month, Biden pledged to pick a woman as his vice president.

"But I think there are plenty of women who are ready, been tested out there who are capable of answering all those questions," he told reporters. "And the most important thing, and I've actually talked to Barack about this -- the most important thing is that there has to be someone who, the day after they’re picked, is prepared to be President of the United States of America if something happened.”

Biden has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in recent weeks following sweeping victories on Super Tuesday and in later contests. He now leads his only remaining competitor, Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE (I-Vt.), in most polls of remaining primary states.

Along with Sanders, Biden has been forced from the campaign trail in recent days due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, instead opting for virtual campaign events such as Sunday's phone call.