Kamala Harris' running mate choice narrows to Tim Walz, Josh Shapiro, sources say

MicroWave@lemmy.world to politics @lemmy.world – 138 points – Kamala Harris' running mate choice narrows to Tim Walz, Josh Shapiro, sources say
usatoday.com

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has narrowed her search for a vice presidential running mate to two finalists, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, three sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday.

Harris, the U.S. vice president, is expected to announce her selection by Tuesday, ahead of her first scheduled public appearance with her running mate in the evening at Temple University in Philadelphia.

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Brit here, coming in peace: why was Pete Butt-something not closer in the fight for the running mate slot?

He seems to be fairly sensible, youthful, a bit of charisma about him, and seems like he would represent the country well to outsiders.

Just guessing but:

  1. He's gay and that might turn off some swing voters especially people who are already hesitant about having a black woman at the top of the ticket
  2. He's never won any election beyond a municipal one, so he may be seen as electorally untested.
  3. His resume is a bit thin with just his time as a mayor of a small town and time as the transportation secretary.

Thanks for taking the time to get back to me, it's appreciated from across the pond.

As for point 1, I thought that would be a strength. I don't think anyone from backwardsville would vote Democrat anyway so his sexuality wouldn't be an issue, but I'd have thought a different viewpoint would have been appreciated little more amongst the blue electorate.

As for the second and third points, I guess that's a valid concern. I'm hoping that the pivot away from ancient politicians taking top roles will make more of an impact and allow those with a shorter track record to shine - very much like the Trudeaus, Attals, or Marins elsewhere in the world.

Thanks all the same!

As someone else from the US I think your analysis on point 1 is correct. Anyone so dedicated to bigotry to be turned off by a really charismatic and vanilla gay man was already voting for Trump. Democrats way too often jump at shadows of secret bigots in their mind and end up enforcing bigotry in the process. Even right now the idea that the VP must be a white man is ridiculous.

I'm not saying all the various forms of bigotry are solved, but if you're voting based on minority traits of a VP, you already knew who your candidate was with or without them.

Excellent question. I think the answer is that the people who choose such things are thinking more about election strategy than job performance. And while I think this is not an issue with anybody who would vote for Harris in the first place, the people making the choice might think that Buttigieg's sexuality hurts election chances? Or maybe because he has young kids at home that he might want to be there for? Idk, I thought he didn't have enough experience when he ran for president, but Biden fucking nailed it by making him Secretary of Transportation. He's killing it and developing much-needed political capital and federal experience to the point that I think he's ready now. He'll have his turn very soon, I'm pretty sure. Potential presidential nominee in 32.

Brilliant answer, thank you for your time and effort. We seem to be in the same page - he seems to be a young and idealistic politician where he hasn't really put a foot wrong yet.

Looking at the alternatives with an outsider's perspective, there just doesn't seem to be anybody on Pete's level but I guess that's a very subjective opinion.

Thanks all the same!