Vice President Kamala Harris Faces Crucial Choice as She Prepares to Introduce Running Mate
Vice President Kamala Harris is on the cusp of a pivotal decision in her nascent presidential campaign, choosing her running mate as she readies to hit key battleground states with the new Democratic ticket this week. After a day of interviews with top contenders—Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly—Harris had yet to finalize her choice by late Sunday, according to sources close to the search.
The campaign plans to unveil the pick via an online announcement before Harris’ rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday, where she is anticipated to debut with her chosen partner. The campaign aims to keep the selection under wraps until the last moment to build anticipation.
This crucial selection will mark the start of a new campaign phase for Harris, who is looking to build on her recent momentum and challenge former President Donald Trump, who is struggling to adjust to running against a new Democratic contender.
Harris has been engaging in an intense vice presidential search over the past three days, with widespread debate within the Democratic Party on who would be the most effective against Trump. Various factions within the party have voiced their preferences, debating who could best sustain Harris’ recent positive momentum while Trump has faced challenges over his own running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Following President Joe Biden’s endorsement and withdrawal from the reelection race last month, Harris has consolidated Democratic support and shown improved polling numbers against Trump. Recent surveys, including a CBS News/YouGov poll, show a tight race between Harris and Trump, reflecting a shift from Biden’s previous deficit.
Harris’ campaign has generated significant excitement among Democrats and donors, raising $310 million in July, double Trump’s $138.7 million. Additionally, the Democratic National Committee confirmed that Harris has secured enough delegate support for the nomination ahead of the end of the voting period.
Harris’ choice of running mate is not only a strategic move but also a critical moment in shaping her public image, especially as she seeks to distance herself from her previous progressive stances. Her campaign has recently clarified her positions on several issues, including distancing from “Medicare for All” and fracking bans. Meanwhile, Republicans for Biden has been relaunched in support of Harris, aiming to attract independents and moderate Republicans.
As Harris prepares to announce her running mate in a similar fashion to Biden’s 2020 announcement via text and email, she hopes to leverage this moment to enhance her campaign’s visibility and appeal.
As the deadline for selecting a running mate approached, various voices weighed in on the choice during Sunday shows.
On ABC News’ “This Week,” former New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie argued that Harris should choose a more moderate running mate with substantial governance experience, suggesting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as the ideal pick. “I don’t think this is a hard choice,” Christie said.
Meanwhile, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, whose union has endorsed Harris, advocated for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, highlighting his strong labor support and successful track record in a Republican state. Fain also expressed support for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “Those would be our top two if we had to pick any,” Fain noted on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” emphasizing that ultimately, Harris should select the person she feels most comfortable with.
Trump Faces a Fresh Challenge in New Campaign Landscape
As Harris gears up to select a running mate, the Trump campaign grapples with how to reframe the narrative around her. Despite efforts to portray Harris as “dangerously liberal,” Trump has instead targeted her racial identity, controversially remarking that she “happened to turn Black” during a recent panel interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention.
Republican advisors have urged Trump to shift his focus to policy issues rather than race or identity.
Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized the Trump campaign’s focus on Kamala Harris’s heritage rather than her political record. “Every day we’re discussing her identity instead of her dangerous liberal record is a win for her and a loss for us,” Graham stated on “Fox News Sunday,” urging Trump to highlight Harris’s poor judgment.
At a Saturday rally in Atlanta, Trump aimed to counter Harris’s recent campaign momentum and defend his vice-presidential pick, JD Vance, amid scrutiny. Trump described Harris as a “horror show,” emphasizing the need to define her publicly. He also took the opportunity to criticize Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who recently revealed he would not support Trump in the state’s GOP primary, although Kemp has committed to backing the ticket in November.
In the ongoing debate over their debate schedules, Trump announced he would only participate in a September 4 Fox News debate if Harris attends, casting doubt on her appearance. Meanwhile, Harris’s campaign reaffirmed her commitment to the September 10 ABC News debate and mocked Trump’s reluctance to attend. “It’s interesting how ‘any time, any place’ becomes ‘one specific time, one specific safe space,’” Harris tweeted, asserting she will be at the debate as agreed.
