Kamala Harris Confronts Crucial Challenge in Choosing Her Vice Presidential Partner for 2024

The vetting process for a vice-presidential candidate often spans several months, but Vice President Kamala Harris must expedite her selection process after assuming the presidential ticket following Biden’s exit from the re-election race.

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is in the midst of a swift, crucial decision-making phase, focusing on four primary candidates to join her presidential campaign. This rapid process, spearheaded by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and his legal team at Covington & Burling, is taking mere weeks instead of the usual months due to the compressed timeline.

Potential candidates include notable white male politicians such as Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. These individuals come from battleground states and offer demographic diversity to complement Harris, a woman of color.

Time is of the essence for Harris, who aims to finalize her choice ahead of the Democratic National Convention in early August. The objective is to ensure a seamless transition and portray a unified front within the Democratic Party, especially during a period marked by significant turmoil.

Choosing a vice president is arguably Harris’s first major challenge, something she understands deeply. Her political career was rejuvenated four years ago when Joe Biden selected her as his running mate after her presidential campaign faltered.

Harris now steps up as Biden’s successor following his unexpected campaign withdrawal. If nominated by the Democrats, Harris will contend against Republican candidate Donald Trump in a race perceived as pivotal for the nation’s future.

California Sen. Laphonza Butler, a longtime Harris ally, emphasized the urgency yet deliberateness of this decision, informed by Harris’s previous experience as a vice-presidential candidate.

“Kamala understands the crucial elements of a working relationship, trust, energy, connection, and shared values,” said Butler.

Seasoned Democratic strategist Paul Begala highlighted the importance of picking a candidate who is ready to step into the presidential role if necessary. “The primary criterion should be their readiness to assume the presidency,” Begala noted.

Begala recollected disagreeing with Bill Clinton’s choice of Al Gore in 1992, but Clinton prioritized Gore’s capability over demographic appeal, reflecting the gravity of the role.

Former Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer echoed the sentiment on readiness, comparing Harris’s decision to John McCain’s fumbled choice of Sarah Palin in 2008.

Historically, nine vice presidents have ascended to the presidency following the original president’s death or resignation, underscoring the significance of this choice.

Initially, vice presidents were chosen by party conventions to balance geographic or ideological divides, but this changed in 1940 when Franklin D. Roosevelt demanded autonomy in selecting his running mate.

Nowadays, the vice president’s role extends beyond presiding over the Senate to being a close advisor and emissary for the president, making the stakes of Harris’s choice even higher.

Republican candidate Donald Trump recently announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate, adding youth to his ticket and igniting Democratic criticism over Vance’s conservative views.

Harris is expected to opt for a moderate running mate to balance her liberal reputation. Among the potential candidates, some have served as state attorneys general, similar to Harris’s background.

Kentucky Gov. Beshear, recognized for defeating Trump-backed Republicans and supporting abortion rights, stands out. Shapiro, a Biden advocate and Pennsylvania governor, brings the unique aspect of potentially being the first Jewish vice president.

Sen. Kelly from Arizona, a former astronaut and military pilot, also garners attention, as does North Carolina Gov. Cooper, known for his political experience and bipartisan work on Medicaid expansion.