On Sunday, Kamala Harris invited three men to separate meetings at her home in Washington DC, according to sources to several American media. The three men are Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Kelly, Shapiro and Walz are said to be the most likely candidates to shoulder the role of Harris’ running mate this fall. On Tuesday, Harris is expected to appear with her new pair horse, but who she chooses may be clear sooner.
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According to sources to CNN Harris is looking for “the three K’s” in the search for a vice presidential candidate.
– Competence, chemistry and core values, says the source.
Wave master state not a must
But something else that is also considered important is what background the candidate has. Both Kelly and Shapiro are active politicians in swing states, which are considered extra important for both parties to try to win.
It can definitely be beneficial for both Kelly and Shapiro, says Jakob Stenberg.
– It is in those states that the election is decided. So it matters a lot that they come from there, but it’s also about everything from age to skin color, to gender and personal chemistry.
But that doesn’t mean that Tim Walz – who comes from a traditionally Democratic state – is out of the running.
– Which state you come from is often not the most decisive. For example, in 2016 Trump chose Mike Pence and he came from a very Republican state, says Stenberg.
“Do not decide”
There has been a lot of buzz about who will stand next to Harris on the Democratic ballot, and many within the party have their own favorite they are hoping for. But does the choice of vice-presidential candidate really make a difference?
– In many elections, the vice president has not played a very big role. It is not something that decides a presidential election.
– On the other hand, the vice-presidential candidate can cause it for the presidential candidate, as with Sarah Palin in 2008. So the election of her tends to have negative effects if it has an effect at all, explains Jakob Stenberg.
To avoid such situations, strict background checks are carried out on all potential candidates. Thus, having a clean past is an important quality for a vice-presidential candidate. Hear Jakob Stenberg talk about more important abilities in the clip.