# 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:** 33
**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 29, 2024, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/643 "2024-07-29T04:08:02Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Mayor Pete, though I love him and think he is an amazing speaker He needs to keep doing what he’s been doing since Biden stepped down. Go on the networks and explain, in his unbelievably calm and measured manner, why Harris needs to be our next president. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/644 "2024-07-29T07:22:34Z")
Completely agreed. He’s excellent and impossible to trip up or get riled. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/645 "2024-07-29T10:39:37Z")
I love his verbal judo, delivered as noted with a calm, measured tone, where he turns the talking point around to demolish the opponent. It can’t be off the cuff, can it? It’s always so perfect. But it comes across so conversationally that it seems as organic as it is badass. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/646 "2024-07-29T10:55:45Z")
A good opinion piece that argues that the state, gender or race shouldn’t be Harris’ focus on her VP search. It should be how they would work as President. > **[Opinion | Kamala Harris ought to take the long view on her VP pick](https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/kamala-harris-vice-president-vp-choice-rcna163723)** > > Most conventional wisdom among pundits ignores an important truth about the role. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/647 "2024-07-29T11:23:23Z")
Wait, you said you didn’t want Shapiro governing. I pointed out as VP, he might have to do some. Plus, I like the article just posted. VPs usually get the nomination when the Pres term limits. If you don’t want Shapiro to be Harris’s successor, then you should be opposed to him being VP now. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/648 "2024-07-29T12:38:14Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Wait, you said you didn’t want Shapiro governing. I pointed out as VP, he might have to do some. As I pointed out there is a very slim chance of Shapiro governing as VP. I wouldn’t vote for him in a primary as I don’t think he’s the kind of Democrat we should be selecting as president. But I don’t think he’s Hitler, in the exceedingly rare event of him automatically becoming president he’d do a perfectly good job (as would all the contenders), I just don’t think he’d be radical enough to actually do anything about the inequality and disenfranchisement that are the root cause of our current predicament. But we aren’t fixing any of the root causes right now we are just trying to stop the immediate looming threat of a fascist dictator. > [@Irishman](#): > > Plus, I like the article just posted. VPs usually get the nomination when the Pres term limits. If you don’t want Shapiro to be Harris’s successor, then you should be opposed to him being VP now. I am quite happy to take that chance. All that really matters right now is stopping a fascist taking office in January of next year. If Shapiro decreases the odds of that happening more than Kelly or Walz, then he has to be the choice (I’d personally choose Walz if this was a primary, but it’s not.) I am more than happy to have the argument in the 2032 primary after two successful Harris terms as to why they aren’t the right person to succeed her. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/649 "2024-07-29T12:46:37Z")
The more I listen to the pundits pontificating, and the longer this goes, the more I think just pick the astronaut. He’s got an interesting backstory with his twin brother and his astronauting, and he’s a good enough speaker. People generally like astronauts, and can see them as potential Presidents. And he has Gabbie Giffords by his side, and people remember her. Hell, Katie Hobbs can pick his brother as a replacement Senator. I don’t know if he has political interests, or if he lives in Arizona, but who cares, pick him anyway. ---
**Author:** ![GailForce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dfb087/32.png) [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/650 "2024-07-29T12:50:53Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Katie Hobbs can pick his brother as a replacement Senator. Or pick herself. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/651 "2024-07-29T13:12:00Z")
The track record of Governors who appoint themselves (or resign, and then are appointed when the Lt Governor moves up) is very, very poor in the next election. [When Governors Appoint Themselves To The Senate : It’s All Politics : NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/politicaljunkie/2009/09/when_governors_appoint_themsel.html) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/652 "2024-07-29T14:25:53Z")
After doing more reading, I’m leaning more towards Beshear. Kelly has a great story, but does he have the fire and skills to sell the ticket to undecided voters? ---
**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 29, 2024, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/653 "2024-07-29T14:25:32Z")
> [@Unexpected Enthusiasm for Harris?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-enthusiasm-for-harris/1004685/385): > > Word for word I never expected it either. VP pick wil be key. Who do you favor? At this point, I’m leaning towards Kelly. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/654 "2024-07-29T14:42:51Z")
Strongly disagree. Whatever small difference her VP choice can produce could be the difference in a swing state. In this election, more than any in my lifetime, winning must be the sole objective. Anything that risks it, even slightly, is reckless. MSNBC can keep that “long view,” virtue-signaling jive to themselves. Our Republic is at risk. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/655 "2024-07-29T15:05:25Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > I just don’t think he’d be radical enough to actually do anything about the inequality and disenfranchisement that are the root cause of our current predicament. Honestly, I’d judge that none of them are. Nor, I rather suspect, is Harris. But you take what you can get. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/656 "2024-07-29T15:11:51Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Honestly, I’d judge that none of them are. Nor, I rather suspect, is Harris. > > But you take what you can get Yeah probably. But again happy to have that conversation in the 2032 primary as opposed to spending 2032 reminiscing about the good old days when “elections” were a thing. The only valid reason to oppose any of these VP contenders is if you think they will not increase Harris’s chance of winning in November ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/657 "2024-07-29T15:13:28Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Strongly disagree. Whatever small difference her VP choice can produce could be the difference in a swing state. In this election, more than any in my lifetime, winning must be the sole objective. Anything that risks it, even slightly, is reckless. MSNBC can keep that “long view,” virtue-signaling jive to themselves. Our Republic is at risk 100% this seriously. If Harris could appoint a wheel of mild Wisconsin cheddar as VP she needs to do it if that’s what the polls say will do best. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/658 "2024-07-29T15:22:12Z")
[Latest poll shows Kelly ahead](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4797349-mark-kelly-seen-most-favorably-of-potential-vp-picks-followed-by-shapiro-beshear-buttigieg-poll/), [2 days ago it was Buttigieg](https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-pete-buttigieg-vice-president-choice-2024-election-1930910). So the polls are pretty fluid right now and shouldn’t be relied on too much. I love the fact that most people don’t know most of the possibilities but they do know Newsom and don’t want him. (I agree if you couldn’t tell.) ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/659 "2024-07-29T15:29:29Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > [Latest poll shows Kelly ahead](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4797349-mark-kelly-seen-most-favorably-of-potential-vp-picks-followed-by-shapiro-beshear-buttigieg-poll/), [2 days ago it was Buttigieg](https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-pete-buttigieg-vice-president-choice-2024-election-1930910). So the polls are pretty fluid right now and shouldn’t be relied on too much Also those are national polls they can be pretty much ignored IMO. The swing states polls are what matters. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/660 "2024-07-29T15:29:50Z")
I don’t know how much polling of the VP candidates really matters at this point. I’m pretty sure that most of the undecided voters the Dems need to vote their way don’t know who any of the VP candidates are. For instance, I can’t imagine too many of the apolitical 20-year-olds know who Kelly, Buttigieg, Shapiro, Newsom, et al. are. Polling people like that about people they’ve never heard of doesn’t seem like it will produce good results. It seems like people who know who the relatively unknown VP candidates are would be politically engaged enough that they would not be undecided. To the undecideds, the VP pick is going to be a complete unknown who will need to create an impactful impression from scratch on them. If someone has a good background that impresses the politicos but is a meek wallflower, they won’t help secure the votes of the undecided voters. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/661 "2024-07-29T15:33:36Z")
Bottom line is that there are at least three choices that may be viewed as having good different stories for helping win, including what the choice signals about what sort of president Harris aims to be. Given that the next criteria is readiness to step into the job. Closely behind, maybe ahead, rapport as part of her team of closest advisors. Way behind that giving a particular individual an advantage and inside track in a possible race eight years from now. That bit is getting way over the skis. ---
**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 29, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/662 "2024-07-29T15:35:36Z")
I don’t think normal polling is helpful in these cases. Just calling people up to ask who they prefer won’t tell you much as most people will just pick the one they either a) have heard of or b) most-recently heard of. That’s how you end up with names like Michelle Obama making the top of lists. A focus group would be more helpful where all potential candidates are discussed, videos of them speaking are shown, resumes are given, etc. Similar to what we have going on here. I hope (and imagine) the vetting team is doing something like this and not just looking at traditional polling. ETA: what @filmore said [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=32) [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=34)