Interestingly, this story just showed up in the NY Times (gift link):
(I don’t know why it doesn’t preview properly. This happens with the Times sometimes.)
Buttigieg. But neither he nor Whitmer will be the choice, nor Michelle.
I do like Shapiro, but I think Kelly is the best choice.
I like it.
Yes. How do the 80% who don’t prefer Whitmer feel about her? Would most still be happy if she were the nominee? Or might most think it should be anybody but her? Who knows?
The Harris campaign likely does. They are undoubtedly doing research on how voters feel about each of their possible choices.
The big issue for the Democrats – and liberal voters – is keeping Trump out of office. There are probably very few of those voters who are thinking: “Whitmer (or Kelly, or Shapiro) is the only acceptable choice for VP, and I won’t vote for Harris if she picks anyone else.”
The issue is whether each potential running mate has issues which might drive away some possible voters; Buttigieg and Shapiro are two possible examples of this, for reasons that some have already detailed here.
IMO, you’re overly worrying about this.
It’s in response to
And definitely she should be able to come to decision by 8/7.
There are? I highly doubt it. OTOH there are voters in PA who would vote for Harris with Shapiro who might not for Harris Kelly. And Harris pressuring Netanyahu might drive some strong Israel supporters (more non-Jews than Jews in absolute terms I suspect) away, who might be reassured with Shapiro on board.
I don’t envy the poor people who have to do the vetting. I understand they have to go through all of the cases worked by the PA Attorney General’s office while Shapiro was AG. Ugh!
Per Bloomberg, it’s down to three top choices. Kelly, Shapiro and Walz
Harris is considering a wide range of vice presidential candidates from the Democratic Party’s bench, though people familiar with the process say a short list has emerged including three elected officials with nationwide appeal: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
I know he’s not one of the three, but here’s an article about Roy Cooper if you don’t know much about him.
Yeah, It’s that perspective fallacy. When you are hip deep in shit, it’s hard to think the other guy could have been/ wouldbe worse. Even if the other guy owns a shit farm and would sink you neck deep.
We know that Trump is major pro Israel and especially pro Netanyahu, and has no empathy. I’m surprised he hasn’t already made a statement to the effect that Israel is just killing off all the terrorists, or something. But it’s hard to see that when Biden didn’t tear Netanyahu a new on over the indescriminate means they are using.
Hopefully, Harris can find a better way to walk the tightrope of continuing to support Israel against outside aggression while showing strong disapproval of Netanyahu and the conduct of the war.
There’s no way a Republican can be a member of an “atheist” organization. Their party is deep into the pocket of the radical evangelicals, and courts the Christian population. That wouldn’t get elected, and would get one ejected from the party.
Because Republicans won’t kick out an overt racist (many of them love that) or a convicted “pussy grabber” or a state attorney general that uses his office for personal gain, but stand for actual principles (McCain) and you don’t belong in their party.
Matt Gaetz could be a creepy guy who chars chases underage girls and
I mentioned it up thread, but the problem with Roy Cooper is that he can’t leave North Carolina without making this guy acting Governor:
Harris - Kelly. He wasn’t my first choice, but he is now.
I don’t see how it’s not going to be Kelly. He checks every box and adds boxes (astronaut) that never existed.
They compliment each other very well and cover each other’s perceived or real weaknesses.
The only factor left is maybe choosing Shapiro for Pennsylvania.
I think the risks of a Jewish school-voucher-supporter are just too much. I think any gain you make in PA with a Shapiro pick could jeopardize Muslim-heavy, union-heavy Michigan. You could very well have a huge portion of Michiganders staying home or skipping the presidential box
Really the only downside I can see with Kelly is that you might, possibly lose a Senate seat in a few years.
And that is pretty iffy and so a low concern probably.
Something on Facebook made me think of another possibility which admittedly is way out there:
Dolly Parton
Partly because whatever advantage Vance might get by playing the “poor Appalachian” card would be negated, but mostly because who the hell doesn’t love Dolly Parton?
OK, she’d turn it down, but it is a cool fantasy.
It is not a smart move. She is quite ancient (age 78). Well respected and loved doesn’t really make up for no experience at all. Might as well suggest Taylor Swift (She’ll be 35 in September) for the VP.
With someone like Kelly and any of the others mentioned under 62, they’re picking up good cred for a future run for President. The Democrats could use that boost.
If Dolly wants to help, she could campaign for Harris, probably alienating some of her fans, but maybe making a difference with those that aren’t too far into the crazy.
I have no problem with Kelly.
However, Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes, while Arizona only has 11. Right there, I can see Shapiro.
Not if picking Shapiro costs you both Arizona and Michigan, which has 15 EVs.
And everyone keeps pointing out that while Shapiro might deliver Penn, he might hurt Michigan.
Kelly hurts neither and might help in New Mexico and Nevada also. Though NM looks like it will go Harris.
Linking to the 270toWin interactive map again: https://www.270towin.com/
The Harris veep team, header by Eric Holder, will not miss this.
Kelly is historically sympathetic to Israel, and Jewish Gabby Giffords would have a much bigger profile, as possible Second Lady, than any previous vice-presidential spouse. So the people in Michigan, you are apparently worried about, may not like either.
My impression is that Democrats on the internet prefer Kelly, but campaign experts skew Shapiro. We shall see.