Kamala Harris’ approach to selecting her running mate has shifted dramatically as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential choice, J.D. Vance, faces multiple controversies, CNN reported Monday.
Initially, Harris’ strategy was to “brush past J.D. Vance as nothing but a rubber stamp from Donald Trump,” according to the network. However, she is now emphasizing Vance as a “major liability” and using this to guide her own VP selection.
“The message is not just that Vance is ‘weird,’ as the vice president said at a fundraiser this weekend, or that he has objectionable views,” CNN reported. “It’s that the Ohio senator shouldn’t be a heartbeat away from the presidency and that Trump picking him raises more questions about the top of the ticket.”
Harris’ campaign intends to leverage Trump’s age, 78, to underscore the risk of Vance potentially becoming president. This strategy also aims to deflect Republican criticisms of Harris’ perceived lack of experience. “We have a Black woman, we have a white guy, and nobody asked the white guy about how well qualified he is for the job,” Harris’ campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu told CNN.
When Joe Biden was still in the race, Harris planned to label Vance as a “hypocrite” and a “Trump sycophant.” However, following Vance’s controversial remarks on childless women, extreme views on abortion, and other contentious issues, Harris is now focusing on selecting a VP candidate who presents a stark contrast to Vance.
“And while Vance has won statewide office, those on Harris’ shortlist — which includes several governors, a senator, and one Cabinet secretary — have served more time in government than Vance and have leadership experience in a variety of previous offices, business, and the military (and NASA),” CNN reported.
Bloomberg reported that Harris’ top three picks are Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Harris has set August 7 as her deadline for choosing her running mate. Her decision will not only aim to counterbalance Vance’s perceived weaknesses but also to reinforce her own campaign’s strengths in leadership and experience.