US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to hold her inaugural rally with her newly selected vice presidential nominee in Philadelphia on Tuesday, according to sources. The choice of location implies that Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro has emerged as a top contender on the shortlist of potential running mates.
The Harris campaign seems to have concluded that the state, which Democrats reclaimed from Republicans in 2020, is crucial for securing victory once more, according to a report from Reuters.
However, a campaign aide cautioned against overinterpreting the significance of the first city chosen for the weeklong battleground state tour, which is expected to span four days and multiple states. The decision on Harris’s running mate has taken centre stage since she became the Democratic frontrunner for the November 5 election, following US President Joe Biden‘s withdrawal from the race just over a week ago.
The shortlist of candidates under consideration includes governor Shapiro, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, Arizona senator Mark Kelly, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, and secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg.
If Shapiro is selected, the Harris campaign is likely banking on the popular 51-year-old governor’s ability to help secure the state in November. Shapiro’s popularity among Democrats surged after he decisively defeated his Republican opponent, Doug Mastriano, garnering 56 per cent of the vote in a state known for close elections.
Additionally, Shapiro would become the second Jewish nominee for vice president on a major ticket in US history, following Joe Lieberman’s unsuccessful bid with Al Gore in 2000.
Traditionally, campaigns begin considering their vice-presidential pick after the primary race concludes in the spring, allowing ample time for candidate vetting and ensuring personal and political compatibility. However, Harris faces a compressed timeline, with the Democratic National Committee setting an August 7 deadline.
Eric Holder Jr, who oversaw Barack Obama’s vice-presidential vetting process in 2008, is currently vetting Harris’s potential picks through his law firm, Covington & Burling.
The candidates are informally showcasing their potential contributions to the Harris ticket through media appearances and campaign stops. Governor Shapiro delivered a compelling testimonial about Harris in the Philadelphia suburbs on Monday, declaring, “She’s not only ready, she’s damned ready. And you know who else knows she’s ready? Donald Trump knows she’s ready.”
Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Walz is credited with advancing the Democrats’ new criticism of Trump and his running mate J D Vance, characterising them as “weird.” Walz said on Saturday, “The fascists depend on us going back, but we’re not afraid of weird people. We’re a little bit creeped out, but we’re not afraid.”
The Harris campaign seems to have concluded that the state, which Democrats reclaimed from Republicans in 2020, is crucial for securing victory once more, according to a report from Reuters.
However, a campaign aide cautioned against overinterpreting the significance of the first city chosen for the weeklong battleground state tour, which is expected to span four days and multiple states. The decision on Harris’s running mate has taken centre stage since she became the Democratic frontrunner for the November 5 election, following US President Joe Biden‘s withdrawal from the race just over a week ago.
The shortlist of candidates under consideration includes governor Shapiro, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, Arizona senator Mark Kelly, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, and secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg.
If Shapiro is selected, the Harris campaign is likely banking on the popular 51-year-old governor’s ability to help secure the state in November. Shapiro’s popularity among Democrats surged after he decisively defeated his Republican opponent, Doug Mastriano, garnering 56 per cent of the vote in a state known for close elections.
Additionally, Shapiro would become the second Jewish nominee for vice president on a major ticket in US history, following Joe Lieberman’s unsuccessful bid with Al Gore in 2000.
Traditionally, campaigns begin considering their vice-presidential pick after the primary race concludes in the spring, allowing ample time for candidate vetting and ensuring personal and political compatibility. However, Harris faces a compressed timeline, with the Democratic National Committee setting an August 7 deadline.
Eric Holder Jr, who oversaw Barack Obama’s vice-presidential vetting process in 2008, is currently vetting Harris’s potential picks through his law firm, Covington & Burling.
The candidates are informally showcasing their potential contributions to the Harris ticket through media appearances and campaign stops. Governor Shapiro delivered a compelling testimonial about Harris in the Philadelphia suburbs on Monday, declaring, “She’s not only ready, she’s damned ready. And you know who else knows she’s ready? Donald Trump knows she’s ready.”
Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Walz is credited with advancing the Democrats’ new criticism of Trump and his running mate J D Vance, characterising them as “weird.” Walz said on Saturday, “The fascists depend on us going back, but we’re not afraid of weird people. We’re a little bit creeped out, but we’re not afraid.”
Source : Times of India
