Walz is my choice. I’m from a rural area and he speaks so eloquently on rural. Plus I love how strong he is on education, labor, responsible gun ownership. But I really don’t know who her team will pick. It’s been such an unpredictable race you just never know..
I love the guy, and would like to see Harris/Walz spread the joy narrative across the country. It would be very well received by most people at a time when people need that message.
An excellent analysis. My concern about Shapiro is that you would be effectively trading Michigan for Pennsylvania. His attacks on the Gaza demonstrators as KKK will do little to recoup the hundreds of thousands of people Biden lost. I’d feel much better with Kelly or Walz.
I appreciate all the efforts you put into the information about the candidates. There's so many good ones, I'm glad I don't have to pick one. One thought, I don't think sixty is old I probably did at one time, but since I turned 67 this month it seems not too old. ☺️
Great piece, and very nice job laying out what each VP pick potentially offers! Like you, I prefer Shapiro, but reading this makes me feel better about whoever Harris ends up choosing, as she really does have multiple good options here.
I believe that Mark Kelly has been in the senate for 4 years. He won in 2020 to finish the term that was started by American hero John McCain, then won again in 2022 against creepy Blake masters
Some articles I've read say Kelly's on the (small c)conservative side, apparently lukewarm to labor & the PRO act (had to be convinced to vote for it). Arizona would be a good get & Kelly has an awesome resume, but he's risky for me simply bc I don't think he's progressive enough. I smiled reading David Hogg's comments on Walz🙂, sounds like he felt the way I did, the grandpa I never knew! plus Walz is (small p)progressive enough for me & not overly so for other voters. And then I worry abt Shapiro being targeted for reasons...
I would probably put Mark Kelly first for me. As an older voter, I think many, like me, would love his feeling of security and I love his stance on gun control - long overdue. If not, Mark Kelly, then I would go with Walz, too. I'm just learning about him. I think perhaps Mark Kelly has more name recognition than you gave him credit. Just my opinions.
Personally, I am not so excited by Shapiro. You talk about "authenticity". I have only heard Josh Shapiro a couple of times, campaigning for Kamala Harris. I just felt like he was campaigning for himself more than VP Harris. Gretchen Whitmer was at the same event. I liked her style better. (Please don't beat me up for this - just my feeling. He may be an excellent choice. I just think there are better ones. And, as you said, isn't it great to have so many from which to choose?
This is quite an encyclopedic resume for all considered candidates and will surely help us understand her final choice. They’re all good qualified individuals. It all comes down to chemistry between the two.
Thank you for agreeing with me re YOUR pick. I’ve been eyeing Tim Walz ever since the list came out. Never thought of it this way - but how can you not like Santa Claus? As Marie Kondo would say “Does this team bring you joy?”
I don’t think anyone excels at all the areas walz does for rural America - the rest are from major metro Areas except for beshear - walz better know and more joy - if I were a GOP I would be hoping it was Shapiro or buttigieg so they could do all their wink wi k nudge nudge see ? This is what we warned you about BS - remember we’re trying to swing independents not our base
I think people would be surprised by Buttigieg and would, in fact, have a beer with him. There are Supercuts of him playing with bands in bars interspersed with playing piano in various other venues. He might still be a bit wonkish, but he’s genuinely likeable. He’s young, though, and a few more years will only make him a better and better candidate. I’d take him for VP in a heartbeat, but I’m leaning toward Walz because he has the most charisma and appeal for the target undecided voters in my opinion. But any of these are good choices.
Kamala is going to have an an aggressive agenda and being able to sell it will be critical to achieving success. We will still be battling the Christo-fascists and their logic is weak.
I would be thrilled to have a married with kids gay man on the ticket. Nothing like planting a flag!
IMO it's too soon for a gay VP or 2-woman ticket, as awesome as they are, and we know they are, the rest of America? We'll bide the next 4 yrs of the Joy Ticket, keep going forward, and then we'll be in a great position for what comes next for the restoration of our freedoms and acceptance of Everyone 🇺🇲 ☀️🍭🌈
Walz is my choice. I’m from a rural area and he speaks so eloquently on rural. Plus I love how strong he is on education, labor, responsible gun ownership. But I really don’t know who her team will pick. It’s been such an unpredictable race you just never know..
I love the guy, and would like to see Harris/Walz spread the joy narrative across the country. It would be very well received by most people at a time when people need that message.
He’s so great on so many issues - and yes, he exudes JOY
Walz was a Master Sergeant in the Army National Guard with a 24 year career.
He also served in Congress.
I like Mark Kelly. I like Andy Beshear. But a 24 year noncom going after JD Vance is going to be fun.
An excellent analysis. My concern about Shapiro is that you would be effectively trading Michigan for Pennsylvania. His attacks on the Gaza demonstrators as KKK will do little to recoup the hundreds of thousands of people Biden lost. I’d feel much better with Kelly or Walz.
I appreciate all the efforts you put into the information about the candidates. There's so many good ones, I'm glad I don't have to pick one. One thought, I don't think sixty is old I probably did at one time, but since I turned 67 this month it seems not too old. ☺️
Have a great day!
Thanks, Ginny! I agree with you, 60 is not too old. But it's an election cycle where ageism rules, unfortunately.
60's the new 40 😏
Great piece, and very nice job laying out what each VP pick potentially offers! Like you, I prefer Shapiro, but reading this makes me feel better about whoever Harris ends up choosing, as she really does have multiple good options here.
I believe that Mark Kelly has been in the senate for 4 years. He won in 2020 to finish the term that was started by American hero John McCain, then won again in 2022 against creepy Blake masters
You are correct! I missed this, thanks for pointing it out. I’ll correct the article shortly.
Some articles I've read say Kelly's on the (small c)conservative side, apparently lukewarm to labor & the PRO act (had to be convinced to vote for it). Arizona would be a good get & Kelly has an awesome resume, but he's risky for me simply bc I don't think he's progressive enough. I smiled reading David Hogg's comments on Walz🙂, sounds like he felt the way I did, the grandpa I never knew! plus Walz is (small p)progressive enough for me & not overly so for other voters. And then I worry abt Shapiro being targeted for reasons...
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/26/mark-kelly-supports-the-pro-act-why-it-matters-to-his-vp-prospects/74534343007/
No
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/8/2/2260280/--I-m-obsessed-with-Tim-Walz-Parkland-s-David-Hogg-on-Kamala-Harris-VP-Selection
Yes the small P midwestern progressive
I would probably put Mark Kelly first for me. As an older voter, I think many, like me, would love his feeling of security and I love his stance on gun control - long overdue. If not, Mark Kelly, then I would go with Walz, too. I'm just learning about him. I think perhaps Mark Kelly has more name recognition than you gave him credit. Just my opinions.
Personally, I am not so excited by Shapiro. You talk about "authenticity". I have only heard Josh Shapiro a couple of times, campaigning for Kamala Harris. I just felt like he was campaigning for himself more than VP Harris. Gretchen Whitmer was at the same event. I liked her style better. (Please don't beat me up for this - just my feeling. He may be an excellent choice. I just think there are better ones. And, as you said, isn't it great to have so many from which to choose?
Agree abt Shapiro, he should be #3
This is quite an encyclopedic resume for all considered candidates and will surely help us understand her final choice. They’re all good qualified individuals. It all comes down to chemistry between the two.
Thank you for agreeing with me re YOUR pick. I’ve been eyeing Tim Walz ever since the list came out. Never thought of it this way - but how can you not like Santa Claus? As Marie Kondo would say “Does this team bring you joy?”
I don’t think anyone excels at all the areas walz does for rural America - the rest are from major metro Areas except for beshear - walz better know and more joy - if I were a GOP I would be hoping it was Shapiro or buttigieg so they could do all their wink wi k nudge nudge see ? This is what we warned you about BS - remember we’re trying to swing independents not our base
I think people would be surprised by Buttigieg and would, in fact, have a beer with him. There are Supercuts of him playing with bands in bars interspersed with playing piano in various other venues. He might still be a bit wonkish, but he’s genuinely likeable. He’s young, though, and a few more years will only make him a better and better candidate. I’d take him for VP in a heartbeat, but I’m leaning toward Walz because he has the most charisma and appeal for the target undecided voters in my opinion. But any of these are good choices.
Kamala is going to have an an aggressive agenda and being able to sell it will be critical to achieving success. We will still be battling the Christo-fascists and their logic is weak.
I would be thrilled to have a married with kids gay man on the ticket. Nothing like planting a flag!
IMO it's too soon for a gay VP or 2-woman ticket, as awesome as they are, and we know they are, the rest of America? We'll bide the next 4 yrs of the Joy Ticket, keep going forward, and then we'll be in a great position for what comes next for the restoration of our freedoms and acceptance of Everyone 🇺🇲 ☀️🍭🌈
Agree - we have polis in CO and we love him - nationally, that’s a diff matter
I would put Pete, Walz, and Kelly, before Shapiro.