Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to announce her running mate for the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket in the coming hours. This decision marks a pivotal moment for Harris, who assumed the top spot on the ticket after President Biden’s announcement to seek re-election. The usual months-long process of vetting and interviewing potential running mates has been condensed due to the Democrats’ pressing timeline.
Harris has met with several contenders, including Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona. Other potential candidates include Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and JB Pritzker of Illinois, as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The announcement could be made through a video introduction, mirroring how Biden announced Harris four years ago. However, media leaks could potentially disrupt the campaign’s plans.
Since taking over for Biden, Harris has experienced a surge in fundraising and support from volunteers, solidifying her position as the Democratic nominee. Despite initial concerns about her ability to unite the party, Harris has managed to rally support behind her candidacy. However, the selection of a running mate will likely create divisions within the Democratic Party, particularly between moderate and progressive factions.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign is intensifying its efforts to paint Harris as unfit for the presidency. Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, have launched relentless attacks against Harris, criticizing her intelligence and leadership abilities. In response, the Harris campaign has accused Trump of panicking and being weak.
Vance plans to shadow Harris’ campaign swing through key battleground states, starting with a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. This strategy aims to counter Harris’ momentum and highlight the contrasts between the two tickets. The Trump campaign is particularly focused on questioning Harris’ leadership capabilities, as she has yet to sit for a major interview since assuming the Democratic nomination.
The vice president will formally receive the Democratic presidential nomination on Monday evening, concluding a virtual roll call run by the Democratic National Committee. This event is largely ceremonial as Harris was the only candidate to qualify. Despite the smooth sailing in the past two weeks, the Harris campaign acknowledges the challenges ahead with three months remaining until the November election. The campaign emphasizes the need to translate the unprecedented energy behind Harris into concrete action, focusing on mobilizing voters in crucial battleground states.
