Why its not Josh

As Democrats nationwide celebrate the selection of Governor Tim Walz as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, attention turns to Governor Josh Shapiro amid questions and speculations about why he wasn’t chosen despite being a top favorite from the beginning. What really happened? Kamala views the VP selection as a personal choice, prioritizing someone she feels she can rely on when things get tough on the campaign trail. In a tight campaign, the Vice President plays a crucial role, complementing and completing the picture for a successful run against all odds.

One of Kamala’s perceived weaknesses is that she is still the sitting Vice President, and therefore associated with the Biden administration’s policies in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. Running on a platform of party unity, Kamala needed a running mate who could adopt a neutral and moderate stance on these contentious issues. Governor Walz offers that balance, allowing voters to focus on key Democratic issues such as reproductive rights, taxes, the environment, and social issues including transgender rights.

Governor Shapiro is seen as aligning more closely with Israel, which could be problematic for Kamala as she seeks to appeal to independent voters and Democratic factions discontented with Biden’s Gaza policies. However, this doesn’t mean Shapiro would be a weak VP candidate; his strong public speaking skills would be advantageous in a debate against JD Vance. For now, though, Walz is a safe choice for Kamala, and their positive, upbeat dynamic presents a stark contrast to the Trump-Vance ticket.