Harris Nears VP Pick Amidst Intense Speculation

Vice President Kamala Harris plans to reveal her Democratic vice presidential candidate this Tuesday in Philadelphia, keeping the decision secret until then, according to a close associate. This past weekend, Harris conducted final interviews at her Washington home with her top three choices: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.

Her selection process echoes how Joe Biden announced Harris as his running mate on August 11, 2020, via text and email, aiming to stir excitement and grow his supporter base. In a recent campaign email, Harris shared, “I want you to be the first to know who I am selecting to serve alongside me as Vice President.”

On the Republican side, JD Vance, the vice presidential nominee, has brushed off criticism from Democrats about his selection by Donald Trump. During an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Vance said, “I actually take their criticism as a badge of honor,” dismissing the negative comments as mere “middle school taunts.”

The debate over Harris’ vice presidential pick intensified after GOP Representative Byron Donalds downplayed the controversy over Trump’s remarks about Harris’ racial identity. On ABC’s “This Week,” Donalds cited a 2016 Associated Press article identifying Harris as the first Indian woman and the second Black woman in the Senate, questioning the ongoing focus on her identity.

Responding to Trump’s recent comments suggesting Harris changed her racial identity, Democratic Senator Laphonza Butler condemned these remarks as “an insult” and “despicable.” Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Butler criticized Trump’s tactics as typical distractions.

As Harris prepares to make her announcement, the focus intensifies on her record and policies, which Republicans, like Vance, anticipate will be the main battleground, regardless of her running mate choice.