# Harris VP choice as she is the official presidential nominee of the Democratic Party for 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** kamala-harris\ **Created:** [July 21, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552 "2024-07-21T19:06:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/503 "2024-07-26T19:42:33Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > How many times did you say this about Biden? She wasnt one of those asked for vetting. She is out. And really I dont think Whitmer is one of the best choices anyway. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > more liberal than Biden She likely is, but not by a lot. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Turn the Harris campaign’s biggest weakness into an actual strength by having Kelly hit the trail and talk about the border and what Republicans did by sinking the bipartisan border bill. Have Kelly neutralize Trump’s and Vance’s attacks by boldly talking about the border from the perspective of a border state resident. And Neutralize Vances bragging about being a marine- briefly. Do note that Harris lives in a border state also. Altho I still say- the border is only an issue due to the GOP. > [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > That may be, but Aug. 7 seems to be an absolute deadline. Why is that- the Dem convention isnt until the 19th. You mean if there was no majority candidate and it had to be decided at the Convention, the Dems couldnt run anyone? That is absurd. > [@DSeid](#): > > The bipartisan approach rejection doesn’t address the first two years that are perceived as a problem. Due to GOP lies. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/504 "2024-07-26T19:47:42Z")
They need someone in the VP spot who will attract people that Harris might not, as well as motivating those people to vote. Regardless of how talented Whitmer is, she would be appealing to pretty much the same voters who would vote for Harris. Someone like Buttigieg would likely motivate some men and LGBTQIA+ people to vote that might otherwise would have sat out. Even if Harris is aligned with those same additional voters, a Harris-Whitmer ticket might not be exciting enough for those additional people to actually go to the polls and cast a vote. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/505 "2024-07-26T19:49:01Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Someone like Buttigieg would likely motivate some men and LBGTQIA+ people to vote that might otherwise would have sat out. He would motivate a bunch of Dem voters to not vote. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/506 "2024-07-26T19:49:33Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Why is that- the Dem convention isnt until the 19th. Ohio. It’s been mentioned here several times, in this thread and others, but the gist is that Ohio has a law that says that parties have to submit their nominees’ names for the ballot no later than 90 days prior to the election. However, the RNC and DNC conventions are often after that deadline; historically, it’s been not a big deal, as each time, the Ohio Legislature has passed one-time exemption laws. They did so again, this spring, for the Democrats, but the new law only goes into effect on September 1st (which is also the new deadline), and many in the Democratic Party are less than trusting that there would be no shenanigans pulled on this, so they had – even prior to Biden pulling out of the race – planned for a nomination vote prior to the convention, just to make sure. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/507 "2024-07-26T19:50:37Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Ohio. It’s been mentioned here several times, I know that, but that law is bogus. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/508 "2024-07-26T19:50:51Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > He would motivate a bunch of Dem voters to not vote. That would also have to be part of the equation. If he alienates a lot of voters, then he’s not the right person for the position. Regardless, the purpose of the person in the VP spot is to get Harris elected. If they end up bringing 0 additional voters, they aren’t a good choice. If they reduce the number of voters for Harris, they aren’t a good choice. It has to be someone who brings a significant number of additional voters for Harris. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/509 "2024-07-26T20:19:27Z")
I really think the calculus comes down to Kelly. If you’d vote for Harris/Whitmer, Harris/Buttigieg or Harris/Shapiro, you were already going to vote for Harris/Kelly. But Harris/Kelly also creates a permission structure for older, more moderate might-even-lean-a-little-to-the-right-but-can’t-stomach-MAGA to vote for Harris. There are a lot of independents who think like this. They wouldn’t pull the lever for Harris and another woman, Harris and a gay man or Harris and a Jew, but they can get behind Harris and the astronaut. It’s sad, it sucks, but it’s no more complicated than this. I say this as a strong supporter of Kelly for VP. I wish it could be otherwise. I’ve waited my whole life to see a woman for president and seen it derailed by excessive optimism every time. This is not the time for a crap shoot on the ticket. Let’s let a woman being president – and a person of color to boot! – be enough this time around. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/510 "2024-07-26T20:27:00Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > They wouldn’t pull the lever for Harris and another woman, Harris and a gay man or Harris and a Jew, but they can get behind Harris and the astronaut. This. Like you, I’m sorry that it is this way, but this is the best ticket under the current circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/511 "2024-07-26T20:31:55Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Like you, I’m sorry that it is this way, but this is the best ticket under the current circumstances. Agreed. And to be clear: Even this would not be assured if Republicans were running anything but a complete dumpster fire of a ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/512 "2024-07-26T20:32:41Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > If you’d vote for Harris/Whitmer, Harris/Buttigieg or Harris/Shapiro, you were already going to vote for Harris/Kelly. > > But Harris/Kelly also creates a permission structure for older, more moderate might-even-lean-a-little-to-the-right-but-can’t-stomach-MAGA to vote for Harris. Well said! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/513 "2024-07-26T20:37:31Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > But Harris/Kelly also creates a permission structure for older, more moderate might-even-lean-a-little-to-the-right-but-can’t-stomach-MAGA to vote for Harris. > > [Snip.] > > I’ve waited my whole life to see a woman for president and seen it derailed by excessive optimism every time. This is not the time for a crap shoot on the ticket. Let’s let a woman being president – and a person of color to boot! – be enough this time around. I think that’s the way Harris should look at the question, if she isn’t looking at it that way already. I’m sure that there is a segment of the American electorate who would love to see Harris and Whitmer/Buttigieg/Shapiro, but I am equally sure that there is a larger segment who, while Harris might be their choice, are a little unsure about voting for her if she’s paired with a woman/a gay/a Jew. Too much too soon, in other words. Play it safe. Select a white man for the VP. That will reassure those who are as you described. You’ve got a good thing going, Ms. Harris, don’t do anything that could ruin it. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/514 "2024-07-26T20:40:32Z")
'Zackly. And I do think that’s the direction it’s going, based on the solicitations for donations I’m getting over the past week. Kelly has stepped up his asks and Harris does seem to be nosing for a consensus on how he is viewed as a potential pick. He’s much more in the news. I also notice that common sense gun control is an issue being prominently mentioned in the campaign. It all reads like a Kelly pick to me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/515 "2024-07-26T20:41:34Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > There are a lot of independents who think like this. They wouldn’t pull the lever for Harris and another woman, Harris and a gay man or Harris and a Jew, but they can get behind Harris and the astronaut. Yep, I agree. Those voters likely are "never trumpers’ but if they stay home or vote 3rd party, it is still bad. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/516 "2024-07-26T21:40:25Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > This does not, of course, mean that **the people actually making the decision** are suffering from any lack of consensus. Of course not. But she shouldn’t make a choice that results in too many people asking “why?” they way are with Vance. No matter who she selects only a minority of Democrats will declare it the best choice. The best she can hope for is for it to be proclaimed a good choice. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/517 "2024-07-26T21:44:49Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > But she shouldn’t make a choice that results in too many people asking “why?” they way are with Vance. Do you honestly think that, looking at the names which have been commonly brought up, that there’s any one in that list which would cause large numbers of Democratic and swing voters to ask “why?” ---
**Author:** ![Allecher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a6a055/32.png) [@Allecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allecher)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/518 "2024-07-26T21:51:09Z")
I saw an interesting discussion earlier that proposed Kelly’s military experience might come in handy if Trump tries to claim “stolen election” again. Having someone with stronger military ties might diffuse that a bit, but I’m not totally sold that Kelley is going to have that level of military connections so early in the (hopeful) administration. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/519 "2024-07-26T22:32:16Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Do you honestly think that, looking at the names which have been commonly brought up, that there’s any one in that list which would cause large numbers of Democratic and swing voters to ask “why?” Yes. Pick any contender and you can find people who would think they would not be one of the better choices, if not the worst. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/520 "2024-07-26T22:37:12Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > Yes. Pick any contender and you can find people who would think they would not be one of the better choices, if not the worst. But that’s not what I asked you about; I said “ **large numbers** of Democratic and swing voters.” (emphasis mine) Yes, of course, _any and all_ candidates will have some detractors, even among party faithful. But, you gave Vance as an example of what you hope won’t happen with the Democrats: a guy who pretty clearly is an oddball, not a good campaigner, and whom **many** Republicans are already not happy about. Again: are you worried that Harris may be considering a candidate for whom **large numbers of Democratic and swing voters** will not just say, “Hmmm, OK, but I preferred someone else more,” but “Them? Why? You have got to be kidding me.” ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/521 "2024-07-26T23:01:38Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Again: are you worried that Harris may be considering a candidate for whom **large numbers of Democratic and swing voters** will not just say, “Hmmm, OK, but I preferred someone else more,” but “Them? Why? You have got to be kidding me.” I would put Shapiro in that category because of the Gaza issue. Harris’s main risk with the general population is immigration. Her main risk with Democrats is Gaza. It’s not enough for her to make strong statements about a ceasefire; if she picks a pro-Israeli VP, she is going to turn off what I would consider a large number of Democrats - maybe not many that would vote for Trump instead, but enough that will sit it out. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/522 "2024-07-26T23:04:08Z")
I love Pete, and I’m gay, but this is not the right time for him. Right now, I believe Mark Kelly is not only the safest choice, but a damn good choice. I’ll be very happy if he is the choice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552.md?page=27)