Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris will interview potential vice presidential candidates on Sunday, as reported by local media. Harris is set to meet with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Senator Mark Kelly at her Washington, D.C., residence.
Other contenders for the position include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky and JB Pritzker of Illinois, though it is unclear if they will have interviews. Harris will announce her running mate on Tuesday at a rally in Philadelphia, followed by a series of rallies in critical states leading up to the November presidential election.
Harris, assisted by former Attorney General Eric Holder and his law firm, has been reviewing the backgrounds and finances of potential candidates. On Saturday, her team presented detailed evaluations of each finalist. Harris also conducted a 90-minute meeting with Buttigieg on Friday and held virtual meetings with other candidates.
The decision on her vice-presidential pick will be communicated to the candidates by Monday night or Tuesday morning. This selection is crucial for Harris as she aims to strengthen her campaign following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race on July 21 after a poorly received debate performance against Donald Trump.
Governor Shapiro, while highly regarded, has faced criticism from progressive groups over his support for Israel and handling of college protests related to the Gaza conflict. Labour unions, including the United Auto Workers (UAW), have criticized Shapiro and Kelly for their stances on issues affecting workers.
Governor Walz, favoured by progressives, has gained attention for his blunt criticism of Trump. Despite concerns about his age, Walz has responded humorously, attributing his appearance to years of supervising a high school lunchroom.
The choice of a running mate will significantly impact the direction of the Democratic Party and set the stage for future leadership. Harris’s campaign will focus on appealing to a broad base of voters, including those in key battleground states.
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