In an internal vote, the US Democrats have unanimously supported Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate. The only question that remains is who will be her vice-president.
After Joe Biden dropped out of the race for the White House, everything has to happen very quickly for the Democrats. Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, has now become the party’s new hope against Republican Donald Trump. Harris is already assured of the Democrats’ backing: after the internal vote was completed, she received 99 percent of the approximately 4,500 delegate votes cast.
She had already crossed the threshold for the majority required for her candidacy on Friday. Harris was the only candidate in the digital vote – her nomination now has to be formally sealed by the party’s leadership bodies.
The question remains as to who will take over Harris’s position if she becomes president. The list of possible running mate candidates has recently shrunk considerably. According to US media reports, Harris has now narrowed the number down to two: the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, and the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz. Harris will probably announce her decision in a video message. On Monday evening (local time), Harris said, “I have not yet made my decision.”
Josh Shapiro vs Tim Walz
Shapiro, 51, is a rising Democratic politician with high approval ratings in Pennsylvania. The state, with its 19 electoral votes, is seen as crucial for both Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump to win the election in November. Shapiro is a former attorney general. He would be the country’s first Jewish vice president. Shapiro is considered a strong supporter of Israel, which could turn off some voters but appeal to others.
Walz is an ex-soldier and former teacher. As a former congressman from a predominantly Republican district, the 60-year-old has proven that he appeals to rural, white voters, although as governor he also campaigned for free school meals and extended paid leave for workers. Minnesota is likely to go to the Democrats in the election. The state borders Wisconsin and Michigan, which are also decisive.
Kamala Harris’ most important decision
Observers see the selection as one of Harris’ most important decisions in the run-up to the presidential election on November 5: The vice-candidate should, in the best case, appeal to the electorate that is not so strongly attracted to Harris herself – a woman, a black person and a person of Asian descent. According to insiders, Harris’s shortlist therefore consisted exclusively of white men who are able to win over rural, white or independent voters.
Harris is expected to announce her choice on Tuesday. A first joint appearance is planned in Philadelphia that evening. This will be the start of a five-day tour of seven cities in contested US states – the so-called “swing states” – in which the election in November is expected to be decided.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
