Tensions in the US: Harris wants to announce her vice presidential candidate
"I haven't made my decision yet," Harris stated in an email to her supporters on Monday evening (local time). However, she plans to kick off a five-day campaign tour through particularly contested and pivotal states, known as swing states, on Tuesday evening alongside her "running mate" with an appearance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On Wednesday, they are scheduled to visit Wisconsin and Michigan, with Arizona on Friday and Nevada on Saturday. Originally planned were appearances in the hotly contested southeastern states of North Carolina on Thursday and Georgia on Friday, but these have been postponed due to Tropical Storm "Debby," according to local media.
The candidate accompanying Harris is expected to help her reach a broader range of voter groups and win in the swing states.
The favorite for the position is Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania - the largest swing state. Shapiro is known for his popularity as governor and could help Harris secure victory in this state, which is considered particularly important for the election. The 51-year-old is a strong speaker and won the gubernatorial election in 2022 against an ultra-right candidate supported by former President Donald Trump.
Shapiro would also be the first Jewish vice president of the USA, alongside the first black woman in the White House. His support for Israel and handling of pro-Palestinian protests have sparked reactions from the left. Democrats are working to ensure that the party convention in Chicago in mid-August will not be disrupted by left-wing and Israel-critical activists.
Shapiro's supporters attribute criticism of him to anti-Semitism, but many political experts believe that his moderate profile will bring him more votes from the political center than he might lose from the left.
As attorney general of Pennsylvania, Shapiro went after Catholic priests who had sexually abused thousands of children and the pharmaceutical company Purdue, which is blamed for the opioid crisis.
The 60-year-old Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, is known for his ability to connect with voters without a college education through his simple language. At the same time, the former National Guard member, teacher, and football coach represents liberal positions on abortion and cannabis.
Walz gained attention when he described the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance as "weird." He is credited with coining this label, which has since been widely used by Harris for her rivals.
Although Minnesota is not a swing state, Walz could potentially help win swing states in the region like Wisconsin and Michigan.
Over the weekend, Harris met with Walz, Shapiro, and Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona at her residence in Washington, according to U.S. media.
Other possible vice presidential candidates include the current Secretary of Transportation Steve Buttigieg, the governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, a long-time friend of Harris, and the governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker.
According to several polls, Harris' approval ratings are increasing. In a national poll by Morning Consult, she now leads Trump by four points with 48 percent. However, a new CBS News poll shows that Harris' approval among black voters is lower than Biden's was when he defeated Trump in 2020. Some leading Democrats have warned against complacency.
"She's got a lot of momentum, but looking at the polls, it's still a very tight race," said David Axelrod, former strategist for ex-President Barack Obama, to the political website "The Hill". "It's going to be a tough fight for either side."
In considering other potential running mates, Harris is also looking at candidates such as Secretary of Transportation Steve Buttigieg, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois.
Despite her increasing approval ratings and leading in some polls, Harris must be mindful of other factors and consider maintaining support from various voter groups to secure her position, as demonstrated by the importance of diverse running mates in reaching other demographics.
