Harris 2024

[Superbone]

It sounds like Harris’ running mate pick is going to be either Shapiro or Walz. I think she is making a mistake if she doesn’t pick Kelly—he is the best choice IMO.

Of course, with AZ’s luck in Presidential politics, she may not want to deal with the curse. (Sort of like our sports curse.)

What curse is that?

[Cap]

It sounds like Harris’ running mate pick is going to be either Shapiro or Walz. I think she is making a mistake if she doesn’t pick Kelly—he is the best choice IMO.

Of course, with AZ’s luck in Presidential politics, she may not want to deal with the curse. (Sort of like our sports curse.)

What curse is that?

Well, nobody from the state has ever made it. Babbitt and McCain are the only ones I remember trying.

[Superbone]

It sounds like Harris’ running mate pick is going to be either Shapiro or Walz. I think she is making a mistake if she doesn’t pick Kelly—he is the best choice IMO.

Of course, with AZ’s luck in Presidential politics, she may not want to deal with the curse. (Sort of like our sports curse.)

What curse is that?

Well, nobody from the state has ever made it. Babbitt and McCain are the only ones I remember trying.

Barry Goldwater?

[Cap]

It sounds like Harris’ running mate pick is going to be either Shapiro or Walz. I think she is making a mistake if she doesn’t pick Kelly—he is the best choice IMO.

Of course, with AZ’s luck in Presidential politics, she may not want to deal with the curse. (Sort of like our sports curse.)

What curse is that?

Well, nobody from the state has ever made it. Babbitt and McCain are the only ones I remember trying.

Barry Goldwater?

Ah yes. Before my lifetime, barely.

[Charlie Smithy!]

Bobcat Goldthwait?

[Superbone]

It's looking like this is the guy (VP):



Announcement tomorrow.

[Mori Chu]

WOW! Holy cow. I had really wanted the VP pick to be Walz, but I was resigned to her picking Shapiro. Shapiro made a lot of sense from a practical standpoint, but I personally find Walz much, MUCH more likeable. Something about Shapiro made me feel like he was pompous and had kind of a "punchable face" that put me off. Walz seems so nice, so kind, so folksy. Every time I've seen a clip of him he did a great job speaking and delivering his message while sounding like a real person. I think he's the kind of candidate who wins you over once you start to see and hear him. I am just unbelievably excited that this is the pick. WOW!

[Mori Chu]

Everybody said that she should pick Shapiro because he's the governor of PA and she really wants to win that state. But IMO Shapiro had some red flags. He has taken a very pro-Israel stance for decades, to the point of calling Palestinians names and saying that a two-state solution can never work, etc. I don't think those kinds of statements reflected the actual policy values of Kamala's team. Also I don't really buy the notion that picking a VP from a given state means you'll win that state. Voters are not as simple as that; maybe the VP pick gets you 1% of votes at the most. I think PA voters will still turn out for a fellow rust belt governor on the ticket. And Shapiro will still staunchly campaign for Kamala even if he isn't the VP on the ticket.

I think one line of attack the GOP will use against Walz is that he and Kamala are too "far-left." Walz advanced a number of progressive policies as governor. We'll see if the attacks stick. I think the personal demeanor and appearance of Walz kind of undercut the notion that he's a radical leftist; he seems very folksy and talks about common sense things like helping school children and families. Also he's a gun owner/enthusiast and so I think that could help the Dems not take too many hits on the 2nd Amendment issue.

Ultimately my main thing against Shapiro was I didn't like his charisma and demeanor. He seemed like a stuck up slick liberal in the same mold as Gavin Newsom. Didn't seem like a person who actually cared about me, more of a careerist trying to get ahead. I saw his various speeches and media appearances and he was all right, but he never really got he fired up or excited about him (nor, by proxy, about Kamala). I think he was kind of a negative charisma machine. I thought he would be the pick, but I wasn't especially excited about him. I worried a bit that he would be kind of a wet noodle and wouldn't add much to the ticket beyond just being from Pennsylvania. Good guy but IMO Walz is a much more exciting candidate who will actually win people over.

[Mori Chu]

It's official!

[Mori Chu]

Some reactions to the pick. Nate Silver wanted Shapiro most, but he is okay with it.







UAW union likes him. In general he's been pro-union and pro-labor.

[AmareIsGod]

WOW! Holy cow. I had really wanted the VP pick to be Walz, but I was resigned to her picking Shapiro. Shapiro made a lot of sense from a practical standpoint, but I personally find Walz much, MUCH more likeable. Something about Shapiro made me feel like he was pompous and had kind of a "punchable face" that put me off. Walz seems so nice, so kind, so folksy. Every time I've seen a clip of him he did a great job speaking and delivering his message while sounding like a real person. I think he's the kind of candidate who wins you over once you start to see and hear him. I am just unbelievably excited that this is the pick. WOW!

Close your eyes when Shapiro talks to hear Obama in his delivery.

[Mori Chu]

Here's a bit of a tick-tock story on how Kamala chose Walz. Ultimately I think she just liked the guy; he's a charmer.

[Mori Chu]

He's good on voting rights. I like that. Much needed during this time of 1/6 and purging voters from rolls and other such mischief.

[Mori Chu]

PA Gov Shapiro introduces Kamala and Walz at their rally in Philly tonight. He's bringing the energy. Being a good sport despite not being picked as VP.

[Cap]

PA Gov Shapiro introduces Kamala and Walz at their rally in Philly tonight. He's bringing the energy. Being a good sport despite not being picked as VP.

You have to be a good sport if you want to be considered in the future. He’s still relatively young for a politician.

[Nodack]

I admit I have never heard of Walz. Looks like I have some homework to do.

I’m sure the Trump team had a pre prepared response to her radical VP pick printed up weeks ago.

[Mori Chu]

Shapiro can be AOC's VP in 2032 when she runs after the end of Kamala's 2nd term. #wishcasting

[Cap]

Shapiro can be AOC's VP in 2032 when she runs after the end of Kamala's 2nd term. #wishcasting

You wish for a Republican to be elected in 2032?

[Superbone]

[Superbone]