Vice-President Kamala Harris Expected to Reveal her Vice-Presidential Choice by Tuesday
Philadelphia, PA – As the countdown to the November presidential election intensifies across the United States, Vice-President Kamala Harris is set to announce her running mate by Tuesday afternoon. The upcoming announcement winds up two weeks of fervent conjecture and rhetoric, with potentials Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz leading the pack.
A New Partner for an Arduous Campaign
Following the weekend of interviews staged in Washington DC, Harris’ choice will commence a strenuous five-day journey traversing seven cities. The tour goals to bolster her campaign in critical battleground states as the race to the White House draws closer. Interestingly, the latest poll suggests a tight battle between Harris and former president Trump. Harris has a minor one-point lead over Trump, with both locked in a stalemate in battleground states.
The Rigorous Selection Process
It is understood that Harris consulted Eric Holder, former U.S. Attorney General and head of her vetting team, and deliberated detailed presentations illustrating the possible political vulnerabilities of the potential picks. Harris interacted with several other candidates virtually and met three of them – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz – in person during the weekend. In addition, she had a meeting with top contender, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, last Friday.
Lobby Motions and Anticipations
The ongoing Harris campaign received an influx of lobbying motions either favoring or criticizing potential candidates. For instance, several progressive groups have staunchly opposed Governor Shapiro due to his support for private school vouchers in Pennsylvania – a Republican-inspired proposal that suggests channeling $100m to families for private school tuition. Shapiro also faces backlash due to his pro-Israel stances.
The Big Announcement and the Road Ahead
The running mate announcement, anticipated to be made ahead of the Harris campaign rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, could significantly impact Harris’ standing in the tight election race. The following week will see Harris and her chosen running mate participating in various campaign events across North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona, before wrapping the tour with a campaign event in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 10th.
Nonetheless, Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have conveyed that Harris’ choice of running mate might not drastically impact the upcoming election. Trump brushed off queries about Harris’s imminent declaration and stated last week that the vice-presidential role has negligible influence over election results.
Looking Ahead
While awaiting the announcement, the U.S stands on the threshold of a highly competitive election, where every single move will be keenly observed and scrutinized by both supporters and critics. As the election looms, Harris’ VP choice could be the turning point that either strengthens her campaign or presents new challenges.