Staff Reports
The latest buzz from the Democratic Party suggests that Vice President Kamala Harris is about to have her name officially thrown into the 2024 presidential ring. With all the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning, speculation is rampant over who will join her on the ticket. Former Attorney General Eric Holder is taking a page from reality TV and aggressively vetting potential running mates, leading the media to speculate on their possible picks, rivalries, and audacious dark horses.
First, let’s take one candidate off the board. Governor Roy Cooper from North Carolina is officially out of the running. Citing concerns about his age – really, 67 is ancient in the world of politics – he’s chosen to step back. This decision isn’t just about him; it’s also strategic. Cooper reportedly fears that prancing around the country campaigning could allow the North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a solid ally of Donald Trump, to make significant political strides while he’s away. Talk about a potential return to the statesmanship of the previous administration wreaking havoc!
Washington Examiner: Harris veepstakes: Who’s up and who’s down one week out from decision https://t.co/M3eORpuAr5
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) July 30, 2024
As for the frontrunners, Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona is currently basking in the limelight. He’s the guy the betting markets have pegged as the most likely candidate to slide into the number two spot alongside Harris. This fanfare isn’t just for show; Democrats think Kelly can be the yin to Harris’s progressive yang, soothing those pesky centrist voters’ worries. With his military background and theatrics tied to gun violence reform, Kelly offers a glimmer of hope for Democrats trying to play both sides of the aisle. Hope they know what they’re doing.
Then there’s Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, who has made a name for himself in just a year. Although his popularity shines, there are a few clouds overhead. He holds strong approval ratings, even with some Republicans, but his full-throated support for Israel amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza has him teetering on a tightrope. Balancing support among different voter blocs is a Herculean task, and Shapiro’s hillside of praise might lead him straight down a valley of discontent from certain progressive factions and Muslim voters.
On the other side, Governor Tim Walz from Minnesota has been steadily gaining traction in the race. Previously an elementary school teacher and a member of the Army National Guard, he attempts to pull off a homespun charm that could potentially counteract Harris’s East Coast image. Those Midwestern values surely play better in the heartland, but one has to wonder how long that will keep him in the conversation against a backdrop of big names.
Finally, the plot thickens with junior senator Gary Peters from Michigan emerging as the dark horse in all of this. Reportedly he’s behind the scenes, rallying labor groups to help his cause and could potentially inherit the Michigan magic that Governor Gretchen Whitmer seemed to possess before she wisely opted out of consideration. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, despite his less-than-ideal odds, might be kept in the loop for his appeal among progressive voters, particularly given his historic candidacy in 2020. It’s unclear whether a former mayor and current cabinet member will ultimately land a spot, but with the Democratic Party, anything is possible.
As the deadline looms, every twist and turn in this Democratic veepstakes is fraught with tension, skepticism, and, dare we say, sheer entertainment for those not tied to the party’s minor inconveniences. The lead-up to the announcement could prove just as thrilling as the main event itself, as the Democrats continue to navigate their way through the dark woods of electoral challenges. Here’s to boring political plays being left for the history books!
