Vice-President Kamala Harris Set to Announce Running Mate Amid Intense Speculation
After two weeks of intense speculation and anticipation, Vice-President Kamala Harris is expected to announce her running mate by Tuesday afternoon. The decision comes as the US hurtles towards the November presidential election, with Harris and former President Trump in a tight race nationally.
Harris recently interviewed several top contenders in Washington DC, including governors Josh Shapiro and Tim Walz, and Senator Mark Kelly. Her choice will join her on a whirlwind five-day tour of seven cities this week as she ramps up her campaign in key battleground states.
The most recent poll from CBS, the BBC’s US partner, shows Harris holding a one-point lead over Trump nationally, with a tie in battleground states where Trump previously held a five-point lead.
Harris reportedly met with her vetting team over the weekend to discuss potential political vulnerabilities of the candidates. She met with top contenders such as Tim Walz, Mark Kelly, and Josh Shapiro, as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Ahead of the decision, the Harris campaign faced lobbying efforts both in support and criticism of the candidates. Shapiro, for example, drew opposition from progressive groups for his stance on private school vouchers and pro-Israel views.
The announcement is expected to take place ahead of a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, followed by events in Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona. Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have downplayed the impact of Harris’ choice, with Vance stating on a podcast that the vice-presidential pick “doesn’t really matter” in the election.
Despite the dismissive comments, Trump criticized Shapiro on Fox News, suggesting that Harris could lose support from her “little Palestinian base” if she chooses him. Shapiro, however, clarified his position on a two-state solution, emphasizing his support for peace in the region.
As the anticipation builds and the clock ticks towards the announcement, all eyes are on Vice-President Kamala Harris as she prepares to reveal her running mate and continue her campaign across the country.
