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Vice-President Kamala Harris is expected to announce her running mate by Tuesday afternoon, putting an end to two weeks of intense speculation gripping the US as it moves towards the November presidential election. This announcement will precede a five-day tour of seven cities, starting with a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, Ms. Harris conducted interviews with several top contenders in Washington DC, including Governors Josh Shapiro and Tim Walz, and Senator Mark Kelly. The choice of running mate is crucial as recent polls indicate a tight race between Ms. Harris and former President Donald Trump. According to a CBS poll, Ms. Harris holds a one-point lead nationally over Trump, though they are tied in battleground states where Trump previously had a five-point lead over Joe Biden.
Ms. Harris’s vetting team, led by former US Attorney General Eric Holder, provided detailed presentations on potential candidates, highlighting their political vulnerabilities. Among the contenders, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro had in-person meetings with Ms. Harris. Additionally, she met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday and other candidates virtually.
The Harris campaign has faced significant lobbying efforts both in favor of and against the candidates. For instance, Governor Shapiro has faced criticism from progressive groups for his support of private school vouchers in Pennsylvania and his pro-Israel stance.
Following the announcement in Philadelphia, Ms. Harris will hold campaign events across Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona, concluding with an event in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 10.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign, alongside his running mate JD Vance, has downplayed the significance of Harris’s choice of running mate. In a recent podcast, Vance suggested that the vice-presidential pick will not significantly impact the election, stating that voters will primarily focus on the presidential candidates. Trump echoed this sentiment, although he criticized Shapiro on Fox News, suggesting that Harris could alienate her Palestinian supporters if she chooses him.
As the announcement looms, the political landscape remains tense, with both campaigns gearing up for the final stretch towards the November election.
