Harris’ Search for VP in Final Stretch as She Sets Out for Democratic Campaign Trail
The countdown has begun for Vice President Kamala Harris as she once again sharpens her focus on the most monumental decision of her two-week-old presidential campaign – selecting a running mate and introducing the Democratic double-act to swing state voters. Despite a day of meetings with finalists on Sunday, the decision was waiting on Harris’ verdict on Monday morning, according to insiders.
The formal announcement of her choice is set to be made through digital means, with supporters notified online prior to Tuesday’s rally in Philadelphia. Here, Harris is expected to debut her choice publicly. Sources reveal that Harris hopes to keep the selection under the radar until it is time to unveil at the rally. Her choice is said to mark a new wave of the campaign, building on the momentum she has garnered along her race so far while former President Donald Trump attempts to readjust his campaign strategy to off-set an entirely new opponent.
Harris Interviews Final VP Contenders
Harris spent the final hours of her vice-presidential search on Sunday in meetings with the final three contenders, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. Debates both for and against these potential holders of the VP mantle have been erupting across the Democratic Party. With different stakeholders advocating who they believe would be most electable against Trump, the discussions are also focusing on who could help Harris maintain the positive news streak her campaign has enjoyed over the past two weeks.
In light of Trump’s own controversial VP selection of Ohio Senator JD Vance, the pressure mounts. The Harris vs Trump poll points to a close call, with 49% for Trump and Harris scoring an average of 47%. However, Harris’ campaign has drawn recent attention with impressive donor mobilization, pulling in $310 million in July compared to Trump’s $138.7 million. The Democratic National Committee signaled on Friday that Harris has reached the requisite delegate support to secure the party’s nomination before the voting period deadline on Monday.
The Penultimate Decision – Who Will be Harris’s Running Mate?
Following in the footsteps of four years ago, when Biden chose Harris as his running mate through a supporter email and text message, Harris is teasing her decision in a similar style. Harris expressed in a recent campaign email: “I want you to be the first to know who I am selecting to serve alongside me as Vice President.” The identity of Harris’ running mate will set a distinctive tone for the remainder of the campaign trail. Harris has been honing her appeal with voters since her presidential bid in 2019. Last week saw shifts in her stance on several issues; renouncing support for “Medicare for All” and a fracking ban.
Trump Agendas Clash with Harris Campaign
While Harris deliberates over her running mate decision, Trump has been tangled in his own narratives. His campaign has attempted to frame Harris as “dangerously liberal,” yet Trump has drawn controversy by questioning Harris’s racial identity in a National Association of Black Journalists convention. Republicans caution Trump to place the emphasis on policy, not race or identity. During a rally in Atlanta where Harris had spoken to supporters days earlier, Trump attempted to undercut her campaign momentum but also used the opportunity to criticize Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
The imminent face-off on the debate stage has been the subject of public disagreements between the Harris and Trump campaigns. After casting uncertainty over his participation in a September 10 ABC News debate, Trump stated that he would attend the September 4 Fox News debate if Harris was present. With all eyes watching eagerly, only time will tell who will share the stage with Kamala Harris, shaping the course of her presidential campaign.