White Male Leading in Swing States for US Democratic VP Candidate
"Major Donors Support Cooper, Shapiro, Kelly"
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has begun the process of selecting a "running mate" in earnest. The nomination is expected to take place as early as this week, with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly emerging as the leading candidates among those currently under consideration. It is reported that Wall Street heavyweights are backing Governors Cooper and Shapiro, while Hollywood elites are supporting Senator Kelly.
On the 23rd (local time), NBC News cited multiple sources reporting that the Harris campaign has requested vetting materials from five individuals being considered for the Democratic vice presidential nomination. The request targets include Governor Cooper, Governor Shapiro, Senator Kelly, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Most of these individuals have been early contenders for Harris's running mate since shortly after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election. Notably, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and North Carolina are battleground states that the Democratic Party must secure to win the November presidential election. However, Governor Whitmer has previously stated that she has no intention of leaving her current position.
One source also mentioned that the additional list under discussion includes Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond, who served as co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign. However, Governor Pritzker confirmed to MSNBC that he has not received a request for vetting materials. Although Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, considered a strong candidate by several media outlets, was not included in NBC News's list, other foreign media later confirmed that he had received a vetting request.
Locally, it is widely believed that Vice President Harris is likely to choose a white male politician in his 50s or 60s from a battleground state who can complement her. Governors Cooper and Shapiro and Senator Kelly fit this profile perfectly.
Major foreign media reported that wealthy Democratic donors close to Vice President Harris strongly support these three candidates. One source said, "Wall Street supporters prefer Governors Shapiro and Cooper, while Hollywood supporters back Senator Kelly." The Guardian also assessed that "Governors Shapiro, Cooper, and Senator Kelly are the leading candidates."
Governor Shapiro, 51 years old this year, is regarded as a key figure who can bring battleground state votes, including Pennsylvania. A Democratic donor emphasized, "Governor Shapiro is young and energetic," calling him an "obvious choice." It is explained that he can build an image of a young and vibrant administration in contrast to former President Donald Trump's long-standing authoritarianism. However, his lack of administrative experience is a drawback. Additionally, the fact that he would have to give up a Democratic Senate seat to become vice president is also a negative factor.
Another candidate, Governor Cooper, is 67 years old and has been elected governor consecutively in North Carolina, a state that former President Trump won in 2016 and 2020. Although his term is ending soon, he is still regarded as a popular governor. A former state attorney general, he has expanded Medicaid in North Carolina and actively pursued criminal justice reform and LGBTQ rights issues that align closely with the Democratic agenda.
Senator Kelly (60) is considered the most popular card in terms of narrative. A former Navy captain and astronaut, he entered politics after his wife, Gabby Giffords, was seriously injured in a shooting incident in Arizona. He has long supported Vice President Harris. Due to his military background, he enjoys high trust among veterans, which analysts say could offset the credentials of Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, a Marine Corps veteran. The New York Times (NYT) noted that "he has established a moderate image in Arizona, capturing suburban white women and young Latino voters."
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held in Chicago starting August 19. Foreign media including PBS, citing sources, reported that since Vice President Harris has secured enough delegates for the nomination, the vice presidential nomination could be made as early as this week. However, the Harris campaign dismissed earlier reports about the running mate as mere speculation. Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, advised, "When choosing a vice president, don't make an overly cute choice," adding, "You need to balance the electorate. Choose someone wise, trustworthy, and who can leave the impression of a potential presidential candidate."
Meanwhile, a PBS poll released that day showed that the highest support for the Democratic vice presidential candidate was for Governor Whitmer (21%) and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (21%). They were followed by Governor Shapiro (17%), Senator Kelly (13%), and Governor Cooper (8%). The survey was conducted on the 22nd, the day after President Biden announced he would not seek re-election. The margin of error is ±5.2%.
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