Kamala Harris Set to Announce V.P. Pick by Tuesday
Final Countdown to Harris V.P. Selection
It is decision time for current Vice President, Kamala Harris, who has been diligently interviewing potential running mates and is expected to announce her choice by Tuesday morning. The campaign to be Harris’s running mate is clocking in its final hours. The list has been narrowed down to three top-tier contenders – Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. The final stages of the process have been wrapped in utmost confidentiality, with very few details emerging.
A Relook: The V.P. Decision Process
The vice-presidential pick has left the Democratic primary divided between moderate and progressive activists. It’s a reiteration of the first signs of Democratic division since Harris consolidated support behind her candidacy. Two of the top contenders, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Mr. Walz, host fundraisers for the Harris campaign tonight, adding a new layer to the narrative.
The Unseen Connection: Shapiro and Obama
Interestingly, Mr. Shapiro’s speaking style bears striking resemblance to former President Obama’s. However, the connection between the two men runs much deeper than surface-level mannerisms.
Trump’s Obsession with Crowd Size
In an unusual set of events, Harris’s first major rally held in Atlanta appears to have rattled former President Donald J. Trump. The turnout of around 10,000 people caught his attention, and during his subsequent rally at the same location, he appeared distracted by focusing on those who weren’t participating.
The Trump Campaign Capitalizes on Downturn in Global Financial Markets
In a strategic move, the Trump campaign is capitalizing on the downturn in global financial markets, placing the blame upon Kamala Harris. Trump, whose tenure saw a severe stock market crash in 2020 due to the pandemic followed by a recovery in the summer, attributed the current market downturn to Harris citing the weak U.S. jobs report released on Friday.
Major Moves in Biden Administration
Gene Sperling, a senior advisor to President Biden who has also served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, is said to leave the Biden Administration to work for the Harris campaign. This move was confirmed by the White House and campaign officials. Biden lauded Sperling’s contribution stating that the United States is “stronger and more just because of the families that Gene has spent every day fighting for over the past three-and-a-half years.”
Harris’s Campaign Schedule
No time is being wasted as the Harris campaign revealed details about a five-day tour that the vice president plans to take with her running mate this week. The operating cities involve some of the major swing-state cities and events to be held at diverse venues such as union halls, restaurants, field offices, and college campuses.
Endorsement for Harris
The hospitality workers’ union, Unite Here, has lent its support to Harris with an endorsement, warning that Donald Trump has a plan to “crush labor unions and hurt working families.”
Party Divisions Over Harris’s Vice Presidential nomination
Regardless of the candidate Harris chooses, she must navigate through deeply entrenched party divisions. The diverse interest groups, donors, and political rivals have drawn their battle lines, lobbying for their preferred candidates, and debating the contenders’ political weaknesses with key demographics.
The Progressive Push Against Shapiro and Kelly
The progressive groups have focused their ire against Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Kelly, accusing them of swaying toward conservatism on notable issues. On the other side, major Democratic donors appear comfortable with any of the contenders, indicating a divide between the party’s biggest contributors.
The Emergence of a Potential Compromise Candidate
Emerging as a potential compromise candidate, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky seems to have fans among the party’s liberal and centrist contributors. Regardless of the internal dynamics, Harris’s decision is expected to be announced no later than Monday evening, marking the end of this much-watched, tension-filled process.
