In a whirlwind of political activity, Kamala Harris is on the cusp of announcing her choice for vice presidential running mate, with plans for a joint tour of crucial battleground states soon to follow, as per the report by CNN. This decisive step comes just days after Harris was unexpectedly propelled into the presidential candidate role, following President Joe Biden‘s sudden withdrawal from the race.
As per CNN sources close to the process reveal that Harris has been diligently reviewing extensive dossiers on each of the leading contenders, engaging in preliminary discussions, and seeking counsel from trusted advisers. Formal interviews with top candidates are set to begin this week.
The Harris campaign faces an unprecedentedly tight schedule, having to swiftly evaluate and vet potential running mates. This effort has included scrutinizing video footage of the candidates and conducting in-depth background checks. The top names under consideration are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Notably, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has opted out of the race, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear are still in the mix, though not seen as frontrunners.
Leading the vetting team is former Attorney General Eric Holder, supported by a cadre of Democratic lawyers examining financial records and personal histories of the contenders. Tony West, Harris’ brother-in-law and former Associate Attorney General, is also playing a pivotal advisory role in the selection process.
Strategically, the Harris campaign is keenly focused on boosting electoral prospects. Polling indicates that candidates like Shapiro and Kelly could significantly sway voters in key battleground states. Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is deemed particularly critical, potentially being the tipping point for the election’s outcome.
Choosing Shapiro, who is Jewish, could also offer Harris political leverage on Middle Eastern policy, a topic on which she has taken a more assertive stance than Biden. However, Shapiro’s candidacy is not without complications, including the recent scandal involving his former aide, Mike Vereb, who resigned amid a sexual harassment investigation.
Despite some Democrats urging an announcement at the upcoming Democratic convention in Chicago, Harris appears intent on naming her vice presidential pick sooner. With only three months left until Election Day, the urgency to solidify the ticket and hit the campaign trail is palpable.
“She, better than anyone aside from a couple other people on earth, knows what the job of VP entails, for better and for worse,” a close friend of Harris was quoted as saying, emphasizing her search for a partner who can effectively complement her and address any electoral vulnerabilities.
As per CNN sources close to the process reveal that Harris has been diligently reviewing extensive dossiers on each of the leading contenders, engaging in preliminary discussions, and seeking counsel from trusted advisers. Formal interviews with top candidates are set to begin this week.
The Harris campaign faces an unprecedentedly tight schedule, having to swiftly evaluate and vet potential running mates. This effort has included scrutinizing video footage of the candidates and conducting in-depth background checks. The top names under consideration are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Notably, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has opted out of the race, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear are still in the mix, though not seen as frontrunners.
Leading the vetting team is former Attorney General Eric Holder, supported by a cadre of Democratic lawyers examining financial records and personal histories of the contenders. Tony West, Harris’ brother-in-law and former Associate Attorney General, is also playing a pivotal advisory role in the selection process.
Strategically, the Harris campaign is keenly focused on boosting electoral prospects. Polling indicates that candidates like Shapiro and Kelly could significantly sway voters in key battleground states. Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is deemed particularly critical, potentially being the tipping point for the election’s outcome.
Choosing Shapiro, who is Jewish, could also offer Harris political leverage on Middle Eastern policy, a topic on which she has taken a more assertive stance than Biden. However, Shapiro’s candidacy is not without complications, including the recent scandal involving his former aide, Mike Vereb, who resigned amid a sexual harassment investigation.
Despite some Democrats urging an announcement at the upcoming Democratic convention in Chicago, Harris appears intent on naming her vice presidential pick sooner. With only three months left until Election Day, the urgency to solidify the ticket and hit the campaign trail is palpable.
“She, better than anyone aside from a couple other people on earth, knows what the job of VP entails, for better and for worse,” a close friend of Harris was quoted as saying, emphasizing her search for a partner who can effectively complement her and address any electoral vulnerabilities.