Harris's decision on vice presidential candidates is expected
It is expected that Harris will announce a candidate by Monday. On Tuesday, she plans to appear in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, alongside her "running mate". The selection of the vice-presidential candidate is considered a strategically important decision, as it could help secure crucial votes in the swing states that will determine the election's outcome.
If Harris wins the presidential election on November 5, she will not only be the first woman to hold the office but also the first person of Asian descent and the second black head of state. Observers believe it is likely that the 59-year-old will choose a white man as her vice-president, ideally with government experience outside of Washington, to appeal to the broadest range of voters.
Among the possible candidates are Shapiro, Roy Cooper, governor of North Carolina, Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky, and Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota. Mark Kelly, senator from Arizona, is also being considered. Cooper, Shapiro, and Kelly are from swing states. Beshear, who is serving his second term as governor of traditionally Republican Kentucky, could be a key factor in winning the White House. Walz's candidacy could be beneficial because his state, Minnesota, has a similar voter base to that of the neighboring states of Michigan and Wisconsin, which played a crucial role in Biden's 2020 victory.
Pete Buttigieg, the gay transportation secretary, was also mentioned as a possible running mate. However, some believe that his candidacy might come too early, as it could be challenging for many American voters to accept a presidential candidate with an Indian-American and African-American identity alongside a gay vice-presidential candidate.
Whoever Harris chooses as her running mate in the race against Republican Donald Trump, the decision-making process is unusually short. Normally, candidates are vetted for months for their potential and any scandals.
Harris's nomination also happened quickly. The current vice-president secured enough delegate votes on the second day of an online vote to win the nomination. She was the only candidate on the ballot for the five-day electronic vote among nearly 4,000 delegates.
"We will win this election," Harris said in a phone call to a party celebration. Her message to the people is that "our campaign is about the future" and "expanding rights and freedoms".
Usually, the presidential candidates of the two major U.S. parties are officially nominated at party conventions. However, the Democratic National Convention from August 19 to 22 in Chicago will now only be used to celebrate Harris's nomination.
"I couldn't be prouder that she is our nominee," Biden said on the online service X. One of his best decisions, he said, was choosing Harris as his vice-president. The 81-year-old had announced on July 21, after weeks of discussions about his mental fitness, that he would not run for re-election and instead endorsed Harris.
The discussion was sparked by Biden's poor performance in a TV debate against Trump. After Biden decided not to run for re-election, Trump said he would not participate in another debate with Harris.
Now, the Republican has announced that he wants to do this after all. He has agreed with Fox News to debate the Democrat on September 4th, the former president said. Harris has not yet commented on this.
The debate will take place in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and will be moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, Trump explained. There will be an audience present. Fox News confirmed that the debate will take place with an audience and will follow similar rules to the first debate between Trump and U.S. President Joe Biden on June 27th on CNN.
The personnel change among the Democrats is a challenge for Trump. With Biden's withdrawal, his lead in the polls also decreased. Trump's campaign donations in July were significantly lower than Harris's.
Joe Biden commended Harris for her swift nomination and praised his decision to choose her as his vice-president, stating it as one of his best decisions. Despite Trump's initial statement about not participating in a debate with Harris, he later announced his agreement to debate her on September 4th in Pennsylvania.
