Whom Should Kamala Harris Choose as Her Running Mate?
President Joe Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democrats’ choice for president today sent party members scrambling to advance their own allies to paste into the VP position on the national ticket with Harris.
Three swing state names emerged above the others:
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona
and
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Originally from Orange, New Jersey, Kelly, a former astronaut and combat veteran of the first Gulf War, has represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate since 2020. He is married to former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was shot and nearly killed in a 2011 assassination attempt.
Cooper has served as North Carolina’s governor since 2017. He is the former attorney general of his home state and served in both the General Assembly and the Senate of North Carolina.
Governor of Pa., Shapiro is another former top cop, like Cooper and Harris herself. Like the two of them, he served as attorney general of his home state prior to running statewide.
Here’s the question:
All three are great but Kelly is a true American Hero. He is known for his measured demeanor and his support of his wife, Gabby Gifford is a heart-felt story of love, devotion, and commitment.
No surprise to see Mark Kelly way ahead on your vote, as I write. But maybe that points to the argument that he would be the astute choice to put at the top of the ticket, rather than as VP candidate. I personally believe he would be a very strong candidate for president with the right profile to take on and beat Trump. He’s got the Right Stuff, you might say.
Harris is not the nominee, fool.
I think Mark Kelly would be strong.
We need Democratic governors to stay where they are. We cannot afford to have governships vulnerable.
Mark Kelly has an amazing resume’ and has appealed to broad range of voters in what been a pretty solid red state.
I am strongly in favor of Mark Kelly! He has the integrity, intelligence, accomplishments and demeanor needed to make this a winning ticket. His wife and their story is the light we need during these dark times. Their commitment to public service after her own assassination attempt is admirable and a true American inspiration. I would donate if he was picked.
I would be happy with Mark Kelly or Josh Shapiro. Both men are very intelligent and well-spoken. They have the strong values and integrity to stand up to Trump and beat their vision of taking this country backwards. God bless the ticket that stands for democracy!
Mark Kelly is a leader with dignity. He would be a great president with Kamala Harris as the VP.
This team would work for the people and not for self serving.
I agree with Barry Smith…the governors need to stay in place this election, and help make sure their state’s voters are aware of the damage a Trump victory will do to their lives and their state.
I strongly support Mark Kelly, who is smart, educated, disciplined, aware, and a true patriot.
I would feel safest with Captain Kelly running things.
However I would not expect to want VP Kamala Harris passed over for the nomination. No matter the reason it would seem both sexist and racist. We shall see.
Kelly is an amazing choice. Real hero. We need one in government to contrast to the felon and racist on this he other side.
Mark All American!! Fighter pilot, astronaut and governor. He’s military, law. He’s state has border issues. His wife Gabby is a fireball for gun control!!!Harris/Kelly ticket will be a great ticket to energize the democrats.
Mark Kelly checks all the boxes…..totally a no brainer. Forget about the governors…..get a true patriot and American hero!
People understand Mark Kelly’s term isn’t up until 2029 and his swing state seat would come up for special election, right?
Cooper is term limited and will be out of office before Inauguration Day and Shapiro’s Lieutenant would serve the remainder of his term. Same with Beshear and Whitmer.
I read an article today listing many VP options and when it got to Kelly’s name I was immediately choked with emotion and after reading their reasoning, even more convinced he is the right choice. I would be proud to see him as the VP pick. And seeing the consensus so far even further cements this for me.
Cooper is term limited (term ends Jan 2025) and puts NC (lost by 1% last time) into play. I think he is the best and obvious choice.
Mark Kelly would be replaced by a Democratic Governor, but it would force another election in 2026 for the remainder of the term. Not worth the trouble for a seat he owns in an otherwise purple state.
Exactly.
I would not trust Roy Cooped to clean my cats litter box, I live in NC and he’s a snake in the grass. What percentage for voting to give Wilmington 240 million to tear down the Cape Fear Memorial bridge, which is iconic and to me an historic landmark. Roy does nothing without getting paid.
Josh Shapiro is the obvious choice. The lieutenant governor in PA is a Democrat so the governorship would remain in Dem hands. PA (where I live) is a must win state & having Josh Shapiro on the ticket would ensure that result. He is a very popular governor & was a well-respected attorney general before that.
I’d love to see Pritzker and think he should have been a choice in your poll — though I understand it was probably made with the three choices who were reported as being vetted at the time.
I would say Kelly, but AZ doesn’t have a large bench and we definitely need him in the Senate.
I am far from a political strategist.
But…Conventional wisdom would say it has to be a white male.
There is nothing conventional to what is happening in politics right now. Unchartered waters.
It will be two women of color against two white males.
A battle against the sexes.
The platform: Abortion – Reproductive Rights
The fear message: A National Ban on Abortion
The rallying response: “My Body, My Choice”
Women will be used as pawns to win an election on a single issue. A very personal issue that does not deserve the gaslighting of politics.
On to the races: Harris/Obama vs. Trump/Vance.
Kelly is dangerous. He’s anti-2nd Amendment because of his wife, Gabby Gifford, being shot by a crazed lunatic, who happened to be a registered Democrat and Socialist.
Josh Shapiro isn’t even a choice, with all the anti-Jewish, anti-semitic, pro-Palestinian sentiment out there. He will inflame the Radical Left Democrat base which is controllling the “Party” right now. He’s a no go.
North Carolina Roy Cooper is an empty suit that went up against a Republican Legislature in that state. He tried his anti-2nd Amendment gameplaying and got slammed for it. The guy is a nobody. He would be perfect for the Democrats. Nobody knows him, and after he gets vetted by polls and the Trump Team, he will be shown to be the fraud that he is.
Ah yes, another idiotic comment from the mental pygmy who calls himself “Thomas Jefferson”. You Trumptards are now soiling yourself over facing Kamala. Kelly isn’t dangerous, he’s smart. Way above your pay grade, Thomas.
Listen up, Michael Schnackenberg, you leave my paid-for asset alone! Your so-called mental pygmy otherwise not-known-as Thomas Jefferson is actually my trusty tool and friend! He keeps my boots well shined and remembers to comment relentlessly on every article possible. He is fighting the good fight. I will not allow you to denigrate this hard-working basement dweller hiding behind the shadows of anonymity. He knows in his heart that he is battling for the cause of what is truth–or at least, what I tell him is the truth. So, leave him alone otherwise I’ll have to roll up my sleeves and intimidate you with my burly, muscular arms. Besides, the Kremlin only has so much money to go around these days thanks to the continuing success of our three-day special military operation in Ukraine, now in its second year, so I have to spend carefully on only the best trolls.
Don’t listen to them, “Thomas.” Have a blintz, comrade… *kiss kiss*
One thing about Kelly that is frequently overlooked is that he is a trained engineer. His keen understanding of technology from marine, aeronautical and aerospace engineering will be critical as we enter this new age of technological Revolution and in particular, a 2nd golden era of space exploration and discovery.