Staff Reports
Josh Shapiro’s sudden decision to pull the plug on the Kamala Harris vice presidential selection process has all the drama of a soap opera, but with far less credibility. It seems that just last week, Shapiro—the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania—was almost a shoo-in for the role of Harris’s sidekick. Conventional wisdom alleged that he was the “moderate” choice to help Harris sneak through the Electoral College maze, thanks to his governorship in a swing state. But like a magician who accidentally reveals his secrets, the progressive backlash against Shapiro showed that his candidacy was less about moderate appeal and more about survival in a party rife with scandals.
Despite serious allegations, including harassment cover-up claims made by his own party members, Shapiro blithely climbed the odds as if he were on a Hollywood red carpet. Even a murder cover-up that dated back to 2011 didn’t seem to phase him. When the tragic death of first-grade teacher Ellen Greenberg was initially ruled a homicide, Shapiro’s office later backed a quick reclassification to suicide without providing a coherent explanation. It’s almost as if Shapiro was auditioning for the role of party scapegoat rather than vice president.
WOW: Josh Shapiro Backed Out of the Kamala Veepstakes at the Last Minutehttps://t.co/K64XkOryCP
— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) August 6, 2024
Politically speaking, the man looked dedicated, actively courting the Harris camp while conveniently discarding his principles to endear himself to the more radical elements of the Democratic Party. However, as he sauntered into interviews with all the confidence of a college graduate desperate for a job, the outcome was less than rosy. Insiders described a feeling of “not a great feeling” post-interview—a clear indication that even his own team saw ominous clouds on the horizon. Shapiro’s subsequent reluctance to leave his gubernatorial perch “to seek the vice presidency” drew snickers from onlookers about his real motivations, with many questioning the authenticity of this supposed internal struggle.
In reality, it’s likely that Shapiro sensed the political winds shifting fast. With a dismal jobs report making headlines and a stock market crash shaking investor confidence, he looked around and decided it was safer to avoid being tied to the sinking Harris ship. Instead of gallantly riding off into the sunset with Kamala, he opted to keep his options open, presumably wanting to return to his day job as governor without the added baggage of being associated with a failing vice president. For all his bluster, it seems he wasn’t quite ready to gamble away his prestigious seat on the governor’s throne.
Strategically, stepping back from this vice presidential bid may wind up being more than just self-preservation for Shapiro; it’s likely a calculated move to protect his political future. By keeping his distance from Harris and her ever-unpopular progressive agenda, he could easily re-position himself as a bipartisan problem-solver in Pennsylvania. In a swing state where independent voters matter, Shapiro might think governing on his own terms is a far better plan than hitching his wagon to a rapidly declining administration. After all, in the unpredictable world of politics, it’s always wiser to be the one laying low while others flounder in the spotlight.
