Staff Reports
The saga around Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and his potential role as Kamala Harris’s running mate has taken on all the clarity of a muddy puddle. As President Biden officially announces he will not seek reelection—much to the relief of half the nation—the spotlight swiftly shifts to the Vice President. With Democratic leaders rallying behind Harris, Pritzker finds himself in the mix of speculation surrounding a vice presidential nod.
Despite Pritzker’s claims of being “untouched” by vetting materials—perhaps a nod to his busy schedule of running a state with ever-increasing taxes and a declining population—or a possible case of denial, reports have nevertheless linked him to the vetting list. It raises eyebrows to think that a governor who once ambitiously eyed the White House might suddenly shy away from the chance to ascend to the number two slot. His attempts at distancing himself from the gossip may seem more like political choreography than genuine denial.
Joined by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who’s under consideration to be Harris’ VP pick. Watch here ⬇️ https://t.co/HYMULXdfmP
— Norah O'Donnell 🇺🇸 (@NorahODonnell) July 25, 2024
As Pritzker juggles questions on various media outlets, he tap dances around the inquiries with the grace of a politician who is adept at avoiding direct answers. He insists he won’t divulge private conversations he may or may not have had—definitely a solid answer if he’s angling for that “mysterious candidate” vibe. Does anyone else envision him wearing sunglasses indoors, sipping a drink, while denying involvement with the Harris campaign? The script is straight out of the playbook for wannabe vice-presidents in denial.
Amidst these antics, Pritzker revealed he knows folks on Harris’s campaign, which really isn’t a shocker. In the tight-knit world of Democratic politics, not knowing anyone who’s connected to the campaign would be akin to walking into a barbecue and not knowing what ribs are. The governor expertly sidesteps direct questions about his interest in becoming the number two, insisting his focus remains on “working hard” to secure the Democrats a win in November. One can only wonder how much “working hard” looks like when your state is facing immense fiscal challenges.
The Democratic National Convention is on the horizon in Chicago, where Pritzker may well be scrutinized further. As the leading candidates wallow in endorsement jockeying, the zeal to claim the vice presidency can turn into a suspense-filled reality show. For conservatives, the notion of Pritzker elevating his political game to the national stage may invoke some morbid curiosity. If nothing else, it brings to mind the adage about what happens when Democrats scramble for power: they often take each other down in the process—a spectacle too delicious for anyone to miss.
