House Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent comments about Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision to choose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro have sparked controversy and speculation. Johnson suggested that Harris may have been “reluctant” to pick Shapiro due to his Jewish heritage, citing a potential split in the Democratic Party.
Shapiro, who had been considered as a potential candidate for the vice presidential spot, has faced criticism from progressives over his stance on the conflict in Gaza. Despite being pro-Israel, Shapiro has also been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which may have contributed to his unfavorable ratings among certain demographics.
The decision to overlook Shapiro in favor of Walz has raised questions about potential biases and political calculations within the Democratic Party. Rep. Ritchie Torres highlighted the hypocrisy of anti-Israel protesters who would support Harris as long as she did not choose Shapiro as her running mate.
While Johnson did not explicitly label the decision as antisemitic, he suggested that Shapiro’s Jewish heritage played a significant role in Harris’ choice. The Harris campaign, Shapiro’s office, and Johnson’s office have not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the focus remains on Harris’ selection of Walz as her running mate and the implications of Shapiro’s exclusion from the ticket.
