If she had picked IDF volunteer, Palestinian hater, Shapiro, she definitely would not be getting the votes of people of conscience. She may not be able to win without our votes. Ignoring the genocide he wholeheartedly supports in your analysis is missing the boat. Credit should be given to all of those who let this administration know that they cannot win without at least a slightly better position on Palestinian liberation and an end to the occupation/ethnic cleansing/genocide.
Okay, we get it. You wanted Gov. Shapiro as the VP pick. VP Harris, who is actually the person who made the decision, picked Gov. Walz. You've planted your flag in the ground so you can say "I told you so" if PA goes for Trump and, God forbid, Trump is re-elected. But, no Magic Eight Ball or ouija board can predict the future. You did a good job of describing Walz's history and positions but you seem to think that school vouchers are a centrist position. Every state that has gone heavily in that direction has been Republican dominated and discovered significant budget deficits because of vouchers, with no corresponding increases in student achievements. Most vouchers are used by people who are already sending their children to private schools. And, in a state such as PA, with a big city on either end and Alabama in the middle (someone else said this but I forget who), how will people living in the small towns take advantage of a voucher since there aren't a lot of private schools breaking ground in rural areas so there is no "choice". School vouchers are being pushed by Republicans thanks to Betsy DeVos and her allies. Shapiro is also for lowering corporate tax rates so I'm assuming he believes in trickle-down economics which we all now know, doesn't work. I think your Republican tendencies are showing.
From where I sit Shapiro as VP carried a significant risk of alienating teachers unions and younger voters at a minimum. It seems to me that picking him would have fractured the Democratic Party and lessened support for the ticket anong key demographics. Last night we lost Corrie Bush to AIPAC, a tragedy. We really don't want to encourage that sort of thing.
I consider myself progressive. I do think I'm in the minority as a progressive in this country. Not everyone thinks as I do . That is where some critical thinking must come in. All or nothing never wins the day. We have some choices to make and now finally we have in my opinion a more palatable choice as we continue to push for what we feel is right for our country.
Centrism isn't a path to victory. Liberals/progressives are fed up with baby steps and pandering to the middle. Biden has signed some of the most progressive legislation since FDR. Why would Harris want to go backwards by picking the donor's choice as a running mate?
John, your analysis has left a very important part in Shapiro's psyche. Not just what he had said lately about the cream of creams student protesters against our involvement in the illegal and immoral war being perpetrated by Israel's Netanyahu in Palestine but also his choosing of IDF to volunteer.
Yes his father worked for the US Army Medical Corps as a physician, but he chose not to. This to me gives the impression that he puts his personal beliefs on top of the US Constitution.
I am so very glad for Harris to select Gov. Walz and it provides us a unique opportunity to bring the country together and make inroads in the heartland of America.
Shapiro was not overlooked, but Harris had many sittings to ensure that she was getting all the information from the proverbial horse’s mouth, Shapiro himself. It appears that Harris didn't appreciate Shapiro's moral compass and went with Gov. Walz. Now it is up to Shapiro to prove his worth to the Democratic party by delivering the Electoral votes of PA to Harris, or else he would be a one term Governor.
Walz is actually approved of by the NRA (or was) due to his service record. There is nothing wrong with supporting the second amendment. It's unlikely you are going to take 393,000,000 guns away from US citizens. No, that's impossible. But he has passed common sense gun laws in Minnesota that are better than most states. Expanded background checks, longer waiting periods. In the Midwest. Maybe you should take the extra step of, say, reading at least Wikipedia regarding your subject matter before you spout nonsense.
John Harwood, Are you saying that Governor Shapiro can’t or won’t deliver PA for the Democrats because he wasn’t chosen to be Harris’s VP running mate? Are you also inferring that because Shapiro won the governorship, PA is guaranteed for the Democrats? Your argument is flawed.
Yet another piece from John Harwood, who, almost openly, is a proud 'centrist'.
As has been noted by many here, Shapiro's support for school vouchers isn't centrist, it's conservative...Republican. His denunciation of free speech and freedom to protest is not centrist, it's right wing...Republican. His over-the-top support for the ongoing funding of the Israeli genocide isn't centrist, it's Trumpian...Republican. Why in the world would Harris want this Republican as her running mate?
Agree with all the excellent observations regarding the selection. Related to Mr Harwood's including Walz's age being a factor vs Shapiro's 'youth', Mr Walz's youthful vigor, enthusiasm and ability to connect and motivate audience easily counters a pure #'s POV.
Shapiro also has a botched murder/suicide review hanging over him since he was prosecutor, and it is back in court. Apparently the victim managed stab herself 10 times in the back of the head. Also, Shapiro knows the family of the [not murderer] and they made campaign donatioms as I understand it.
On Walz: He taught Social Studies, not Geography. But probably Geography IN Social Studies, as Geography is not usually a stand alone high school class in public school. It's generally covered somewhat in grade school.
If she had picked IDF volunteer, Palestinian hater, Shapiro, she definitely would not be getting the votes of people of conscience. She may not be able to win without our votes. Ignoring the genocide he wholeheartedly supports in your analysis is missing the boat. Credit should be given to all of those who let this administration know that they cannot win without at least a slightly better position on Palestinian liberation and an end to the occupation/ethnic cleansing/genocide.
Okay, we get it. You wanted Gov. Shapiro as the VP pick. VP Harris, who is actually the person who made the decision, picked Gov. Walz. You've planted your flag in the ground so you can say "I told you so" if PA goes for Trump and, God forbid, Trump is re-elected. But, no Magic Eight Ball or ouija board can predict the future. You did a good job of describing Walz's history and positions but you seem to think that school vouchers are a centrist position. Every state that has gone heavily in that direction has been Republican dominated and discovered significant budget deficits because of vouchers, with no corresponding increases in student achievements. Most vouchers are used by people who are already sending their children to private schools. And, in a state such as PA, with a big city on either end and Alabama in the middle (someone else said this but I forget who), how will people living in the small towns take advantage of a voucher since there aren't a lot of private schools breaking ground in rural areas so there is no "choice". School vouchers are being pushed by Republicans thanks to Betsy DeVos and her allies. Shapiro is also for lowering corporate tax rates so I'm assuming he believes in trickle-down economics which we all now know, doesn't work. I think your Republican tendencies are showing.
From where I sit Shapiro as VP carried a significant risk of alienating teachers unions and younger voters at a minimum. It seems to me that picking him would have fractured the Democratic Party and lessened support for the ticket anong key demographics. Last night we lost Corrie Bush to AIPAC, a tragedy. We really don't want to encourage that sort of thing.
Let me translate the above: “I don’t want progressive policies. Love, J Harwood.”
I consider myself progressive. I do think I'm in the minority as a progressive in this country. Not everyone thinks as I do . That is where some critical thinking must come in. All or nothing never wins the day. We have some choices to make and now finally we have in my opinion a more palatable choice as we continue to push for what we feel is right for our country.
What? Everyone loves Walz. What's wrong with you.
Centrism isn't a path to victory. Liberals/progressives are fed up with baby steps and pandering to the middle. Biden has signed some of the most progressive legislation since FDR. Why would Harris want to go backwards by picking the donor's choice as a running mate?
John, your analysis has left a very important part in Shapiro's psyche. Not just what he had said lately about the cream of creams student protesters against our involvement in the illegal and immoral war being perpetrated by Israel's Netanyahu in Palestine but also his choosing of IDF to volunteer.
Yes his father worked for the US Army Medical Corps as a physician, but he chose not to. This to me gives the impression that he puts his personal beliefs on top of the US Constitution.
I am so very glad for Harris to select Gov. Walz and it provides us a unique opportunity to bring the country together and make inroads in the heartland of America.
Shapiro was not overlooked, but Harris had many sittings to ensure that she was getting all the information from the proverbial horse’s mouth, Shapiro himself. It appears that Harris didn't appreciate Shapiro's moral compass and went with Gov. Walz. Now it is up to Shapiro to prove his worth to the Democratic party by delivering the Electoral votes of PA to Harris, or else he would be a one term Governor.
Dear Kamala, damned if you do damned if you don't. Show em what you got girl! Even if you lose, you have already won in my book. Now go get em!
Walz is actually approved of by the NRA (or was) due to his service record. There is nothing wrong with supporting the second amendment. It's unlikely you are going to take 393,000,000 guns away from US citizens. No, that's impossible. But he has passed common sense gun laws in Minnesota that are better than most states. Expanded background checks, longer waiting periods. In the Midwest. Maybe you should take the extra step of, say, reading at least Wikipedia regarding your subject matter before you spout nonsense.
John Harwood, Are you saying that Governor Shapiro can’t or won’t deliver PA for the Democrats because he wasn’t chosen to be Harris’s VP running mate? Are you also inferring that because Shapiro won the governorship, PA is guaranteed for the Democrats? Your argument is flawed.
Yet another piece from John Harwood, who, almost openly, is a proud 'centrist'.
As has been noted by many here, Shapiro's support for school vouchers isn't centrist, it's conservative...Republican. His denunciation of free speech and freedom to protest is not centrist, it's right wing...Republican. His over-the-top support for the ongoing funding of the Israeli genocide isn't centrist, it's Trumpian...Republican. Why in the world would Harris want this Republican as her running mate?
I think she made the right choice
Agree with all the excellent observations regarding the selection. Related to Mr Harwood's including Walz's age being a factor vs Shapiro's 'youth', Mr Walz's youthful vigor, enthusiasm and ability to connect and motivate audience easily counters a pure #'s POV.
Joey
Shapiro also has a botched murder/suicide review hanging over him since he was prosecutor, and it is back in court. Apparently the victim managed stab herself 10 times in the back of the head. Also, Shapiro knows the family of the [not murderer] and they made campaign donatioms as I understand it.
On Walz: He taught Social Studies, not Geography. But probably Geography IN Social Studies, as Geography is not usually a stand alone high school class in public school. It's generally covered somewhat in grade school.