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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has revealed in his upcoming memoir that he felt the process of being vetted as Kamala Harris’s potential running mate in the 2024 presidential election was contentious and ultimately “didn’t feel right,” according to reports by Politico Playbook and The New York Times.
In “Where We Keep the Light,” Shapiro writes candidly about his interactions with Harris’s team during the vice presidential selection process. He describes the questioning as “unnecessarily contentious” and suggests that Harris’s campaign team “didn’t understand where the people who would decide this presidential election really were,” indicating a potential disconnect with key voter demographics.
The governor, who has built a reputation as a moderate Democrat in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, details specific concerns about the working relationship with Harris. He writes that during their discussions, Harris explained that her chief of staff would be giving him directions and complained about the vice presidential office lacking a private bathroom. According to Shapiro, Harris also “lamented… how difficult it was for her at times not to have a voice in decision making” in her role as Vice President.
Shapiro’s book reveals a fundamental difference in approach to governance and decision-making. “If we had door A and door B as options, and she was for door A and I was for door B, I just wanted to make sure that I could make the case for door B, and if I didn’t convince her, then I’d run right through a brick wall to support her decision,” he writes. Harris reportedly made it “crystal clear that that was not what she was looking for” in a running mate.
Perhaps most revealing, Shapiro notes he was “surprised” by the extent to which Harris “seemed to dislike the role” of Vice President, offering a rare glimpse into Harris’s private sentiments about her position in the Biden administration.
According to the Times, Shapiro ultimately decided to withdraw himself from consideration. When he requested to speak directly with Harris to deliver his decision, he was reportedly told “the VP would not handle bad news well and that I shouldn’t push,” further highlighting apparent tensions in the vetting process.
The candid revelations come as Shapiro himself has begun positioning for the future. He recently launched his 2026 re-election campaign for Pennsylvania governor, though political observers have noted growing speculation about his potential presidential ambitions for 2028.
Harris eventually selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. The Democratic ticket was defeated by former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance in the 2024 election.
Shapiro’s disclosures provide unusual transparency into the typically opaque vice presidential selection process. His account suggests significant cultural and strategic differences existed within the Democratic party during the 2024 campaign, which may have contributed to their electoral challenges.
The governor’s book also indirectly highlights the ongoing importance of Pennsylvania in national politics. As one of the most crucial battleground states, Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes have been decisive in recent presidential elections, making Shapiro’s perspective particularly relevant to understanding the Democratic party’s performance in the state.
“Where We Keep the Light” is expected to generate significant discussion when published, potentially shaping perceptions of both Harris’s leadership approach and Shapiro’s political future as the Democratic party regroups after its 2024 defeat.
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7 Comments
Shapiro’s candid account of the vetting process and his concerns about the Harris team’s approach is noteworthy. As a moderate Democrat in a crucial swing state, his perspective on the working dynamic and potential disconnect with key voters could be significant. Looking forward to more insights from his memoir.
Interesting that Shapiro felt the vetting process was ‘contentious’ and didn’t ‘feel right.’ Sounds like there may have been some friction and disconnect between his approach and the Harris team’s expectations. Curious to hear more details from his memoir on the challenges of that potential partnership.
Shapiro declining the VP slot is an interesting development. The details about Harris’s team and their working relationship concerns are quite telling. It will be interesting to see how this plays out politically and whether it has any broader implications for the Democratic ticket in 2024.
This provides an intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the 2024 VP selection process. Shapiro’s comments about the Harris team not understanding key voter demographics in Pennsylvania are particularly noteworthy, given that state’s crucial swing status. I wonder what specific issues or concerns he had with the working relationship.
Agreed, the Pennsylvania swing state dynamics must have been a key factor. Shapiro’s perspective on the Harris team’s disconnect with those voters could offer valuable insights ahead of the next election cycle.
This provides a rare inside look at the vice presidential selection process. Shapiro’s comments about the ‘contentious’ nature of the vetting and his concerns about the Harris team’s understanding of Pennsylvania voters are intriguing. It will be interesting to see how this plays out politically and whether it has any broader implications.
Shapiro’s decision to decline the VP slot despite being vetted is a noteworthy development. His candid assessment of the ‘contentious’ process and his concerns about the Harris team’s approach offer a unique perspective. As a moderate Democrat in a crucial swing state, Shapiro’s insights could be valuable ahead of the 2024 election cycle.