Staff Reports
Speculation is heating up in Democrat circles after President Joe Biden’s announcement not to seek reelection. The spotlight is now firmly on Vice President Kamala Harris and her quest to find a running mate who can not only keep up with her but also possibly get enough votes to compete against a certain former president with a penchant for making headlines—Donald Trump.
In a curious twist of political fate, some of the expected heavy hitters are opting to sit this one out. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper have both made it clear they won’t be vying for the coveted vice presidential spot. One has to wonder if their hesitation stems from a lack of enthusiasm for the Harris brand or if they’ve just read the tea leaves and want to avoid sinking with what many perceive as a sinking ship.
Town Hall: Here's When Kamala Harris Is Expected to Announce Her Running Mate https://t.co/IwfcQUq3wP
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) August 5, 2024
According to reports, Harris is expected to make her vice presidential selection announcement soon, specifically on Tuesday. In preparation, Harris dared to interview potential candidates both in person and virtually. Among those summoned to the vice president’s residence were Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. This makes one wonder if being a governor with a penchant for government overreach is a prerequisite for her consideration or if it’s merely a coincidence.
The vice presidential vetting process seems to be as thick with drama as a daytime soap. Names like Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker are being tossed around as potential running buddies for Harris. A secretive vetting operation is allegedly underway—perhaps they’re even interviewing candidates in voodoo shops or speaking with their tarot card readers for extra guidance. The Harris team seems to be following a scripted playbook from Biden’s 2020 campaign, keen to avoid any leaks that could threaten their tightly managed operatic reveal.
Interestingly enough, just last week, signs were popping up suggesting that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was the one that Harris was leaning toward. A slip of the tongue from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, who posted and then quickly deleted what looked to be a “welcome to the team” video, added an extra layer of intrigue. There's nothing like a little social media drama to spice up what might otherwise be another boring political affair, right?
But the plot thickens, as Cooper has now officially withdrawn his name from consideration under the guise of protecting his Republican lieutenant governor. His argument, referencing some kind of archaic constitutional provision that allows the lieutenant to assume governorship when he’s absent, sounds less like a serious political stance and more like a public relations maneuver designed to maintain peace within his party—or at least shelter himself from any political fallout. Perhaps he’s just trying to dodge the fallout of being affiliated with a campaign that many Americans view as out of touch and struggling for relevance.
