Sure, it would have been nice for the Democrats to put a Pennsylvanian on the presidential ticket, but voters attending Vice President Kamala Harris’s first rally with Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday had bigger fish to fry.
ABOVE PHOTO: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks before Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz during a campaign event in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)
By Denise Clay-Murray
In case you haven’t noticed, Pennsylvanians in general, and Philadelphians in particular, are kind of competitive.
Be it a football game or even a record-breaking trip down the Soul Train Line, Pennsylvanians play to win.
Sometimes, that carries over into our politics. When President Joe Biden changed his mind about running for re-election and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, Pennsylvania’s competitive nature popped up in the form of a full-court press on the part of Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party to get Gov. Josh Shapiro on the ticket.
Harris decided to make Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota her running mate instead.
And while that might not have been what Pennsylvanians wanted, the crowd gathered at Temple University’s Liacouras Center on Tuesday for a rally introducing Walz to America didn’t see it as a dealbreaker.
“Governor Walz is a great choice,” said Councilmember Jeffery Young, whose district includes Temple University. “You’re always a little disappointed that the home team didn’t get a win, but we understand why certain people are picked.”
“Shapiro is our guy, but [Harris] has got to win the entire country,” Councilmember Curtis Jones said. “He checks some boxes. He’s a veteran. He’s a Second Amendment rights guy. He’s a liberal, but he’s Midwestern. I think it was a good choice.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker speaks before Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrive at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)
Besides, there’s bigger fish to fry, said Linda Bradley of Delaware County.
“This is bigger than just one person,” she said. “It’s about saving democracy. I want a future that’s better for my children and grandchildren.”
As they entered the Liacouras Center, Harris and Walz were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd filled with people who came from as far away as the Poconos to see the Democratic ticket live.
During her speech, Harris let Pennsylvanians know that although he wasn’t her running mate on the ticket, both Shapiro and the commonwealth were important to her ability to become the first woman to be president of the United States.
“Josh is a dear, dear friend and an extraordinary leader,” Harris said. “He and I have been spending a lot of time together over the years.
And I told Josh, ‘Look, I am so, so invested in our friendship, in doing this together.’ Because together, with Josh Shapiro, we will win Pennsylvania.”
“Pennsylvania, I know you know this, but, my God, what a treasure you have in Josh Shapiro,” said Walz, who also counts Shapiro as a friend. “This is a visionary leader.”
For his part, Shapiro was philosophical about being the odd man out. According to an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer, and several of my sources, Shapiro wouldn’t have been happy taking instruction instead of taking the lead.
Also, the campaign would have become more about the $295,000 settlement the governor’s office had to pay due to a sexual harassment case involving former head of legislative affairs Michael Vereb. It would have been more about Shapiro’s stances on school vouchers, and the Israel/Hamas conflict. The word “antisemitic,” which is already being tossed around in Republican circles because Shapiro wasn’t selected, would have drowned out everything else.
So, staying in Pennsylvania makes sense.
“I want you to know I am going to continue to pour my heart and soul into serving you every single day as your governor,” he said. “And I’m going to be working my tail off to make sure we make Kamala Harris and Tim Walz the next leaders of the United States of America.”
That seemed to be the sentiment of much of the audience. For example, State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who is running for auditor general, has a specific tour he’s hoping to take Walz on.
“I’m excited to take Governor Walz to as many state fairs across Pennsylvania as the campaign will let me,” he said.
Now that’s a picture I’d love to see…
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the article belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, The Philadelphia Sunday SUN, the author’s organization, committee or other group or individual.
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