Staff Reports
The drama surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris’s selection for a running mate in the 2024 presidential race has taken an interesting turn with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s withdrawal from consideration. Once seen as a leading candidate, Cooper has decided he’d rather avoid the political circus that has become the hallmark of this administration. It’s no surprise; stepping into a potential pit of political quicksand is not appealing, especially when the current VP seems to be spiraling downward in popularity.
Cooper’s departure follows a pattern, as Adm. William H. McRaven also opted out of the running, leaving many to ponder the caliber of potential candidates willing to hitch their wagon to the sinking ship that is the Biden-Harris campaign. The fact that others like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are also stepping back or remaining uninvolved only accentuates the lack of enthusiasm for Harris’s ticket. As rumors swirl, one has to wonder whether these Democrats are simply pulling the fire alarm before the chaos unfolds.
Cooper confirms he is out.https://t.co/ceV5Bnuvpehttps://t.co/REL4pib2kX
— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) July 30, 2024
Harris and Cooper have a long history of knowing each other since their days as attorneys general in their respective states. However, that connection seems less tempting now amid Harris’s declining favorability ratings. Reports indicate that the Vice President is on the hunt for a running mate—though with approval numbers trailing behind President Biden by a point, one must question the allure of joining her on this ride. The struggle to find a fresh face to boost an ailing campaign suggests that even long-time allies are not keen on joining forces with the current VP, whose decision-making has been anything but stellar.
Harris’s campaign manager has asserted that they are entering a pivotal process in selecting her running mate. However, with names like Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pete Buttigieg floating around the rumor mill, it’s clear that desperation is setting in. The search resembles more of a political scavenger hunt than a strategic alliance, and one can only imagine the frustration among Democrats as they sift through a lackluster pool of candidates eager to step into a role that offers zero guarantees of success.
To further make matters entertaining, polling data has shown that former President Donald Trump currently beats Harris by a considerable margin in several national polls. As the Democrats throw candidates like confetti in hopes of boosting their sinking ship, one thing is clear: any candidate with a bit of pride would think long and hard before taking the plunge into a partnership with a VP whose strategy leaves much to be desired. As the clock ticks down to Harris’s looming August 7 deadline for a decision, the entire situation smells like another episode of “As the Democrats Turn.”
