Reasons Emerge For Why Josh Shapiro Wasn’t Picked
His Presidential aspirations may have played a big factor
![[ Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks with the press. MAY 27, 2022 - PHILADELPHIA, PA photographer: Governor Tom Wolf]](https://otb.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Josh_Shapiro_2022-jpg.avif)
Since yesterday’s announcement of Vice President Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, various reporting outlets have published stories about what led to the decision. In unpacking how Tim Walz, someone who wasn’t seen as a contender a few weeks ago, ended up as the candidate for VP, many of the articles also explore why other people were not picked. In particular, many explore why front-runner Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was not picked.
One key difference emerging between Shapiro and Walz that seems to point to one of the possible reasons was each man’s view of the VP position. From CNN:
Shapiro – who was favored by some of the Democratic Party and anti-Trump Republicans as a more moderate selection – did not go over as well with Harris’ team during his vetting interview, sources familiar with the process told CNN. While Walz came across as deferential and cooperative, Shapiro struck some as overly ambitious, with “a lot of questions” about what the role of the VP would be.
And while Shapiro did “very well” in his in-person meeting with Harris on Sunday, multiple sources said, Walz was seen as a pick that would come with less drama and palace intrigue – both on the campaign trail and, if they win in November, at the White House.
For those of us that have been following Shapiro’s career, this isn’t a suprise. Many people have recognized that Shapiro seems to have his eyes on the Presidency. He’s been identified as part of the future of the Democratic party for a while. So it makes sense that he would be very interested in getting an upfront agreement enabling him to be a very active and public VP in the campaign and moving forward. After all, the role of VP (candidate and serving) comes with significant risks.
First, if he becomes the vice presidential candidate and the ticket loses, he will most likely give up a serious chance at the Presidency going forward. Staying off the ticket keeps 2028 open for him.
If they win, it makes sense that Shapiro would want to maintain a higher profile. Harris, fairly or unfairly, is seen as not being a very visible VP. Shapiro, who is used to being the chief executive of a State, sounds like he wanted more visible responsibilities and decision-making control. This also would enable him to continue to grow his national image and prepare for an eventual White House run.
Having a VP who is interested in being in the spotlight could play havok with a ticket–especially in this condensed contest. And as the Presidential candidate it’s fair for Harris not to want someone who is gunning for her job from the start. Which get’s us to the difference between Shapiro and Walz. Returning to CNN:
In the end, the bigger hurdle for Shapiro was his face-to-face meeting with Harris, where he posed “very specific” questions about the role of a vice president, including what decisions he would be included in making, should they win election.
“He was negotiating the job with her, while Walz was saying ‘What can I do to help?’” said the Democratic adviser, who added that Shapiro was unquestionably a rising star in the party but just didn’t meet the moment and forge a comfortable connection with Harris.
For Walz, the evolution from being seen as a moderate Democrat – winning a Republican-leaning congressional district in 2006 – to becoming a leading progressive governor impressed Harris and her team about his appeal.
Walz’s deferential style was also a huge factor in his appeal with Harris, sources said.
“She wanted to make sure that people understood there are going to be times when you’ll have great influence and there are going to be times when something’s happening and you’re told about it at the last minute,” said one of the people involved in the vetting process. “She said, ‘That’s just the nature of the job and you have to be OK with that.’”
This makes total sense to me. It also matches the general feeling that I get from both candidates. Walz is literally comfortable with a coaching role–being there to support the star player. He appears to be someone nearing the end of his political career and more than happy to be in a supporting role (albeit one of, if not the most, public and important supporting roles in American history). He said as much during his acceptance speech last night. He also quoted Warren Zevon, which is pretty cool in my book.
These are assuredly not the only reasons for the decision. For example, Walz brings many things that Shapiro didn’t, including a very strong relationship with organized labor and good relations with the party’s progressive wing (while also not alienating the Manchin wing). He also brings the experience of being a house member. He also has a relaxed retail politics style, which will be a differentiator when compared to his ticket opponent, J. D. Vance. After all, Walz made “weird” happen.
Shapiro also gets a lot out of this as well. His profile has been raised on the national level. And, again, if Harris loses, he will walk away from this election largely unscathed–even potentially in a stronger position as people will speculate that if Harris had picked Shapiro, she might have won. Even if Harris wins, Shapiro will remain the governor of a critical swing state and get a chance to continue to develop his political skills and reputation.
The “coach supporting a star player” observation is fine, but a much more important relationship being missed is how a Command Sergeant Major is both an extremely effective leader with substantial authority in their own right, while also being excellent at supporting and advising the commanding officer who exercises ultimate decision making power
2032.
@Erik:
FWIW, I think it’s more accurate to call Walz by the rank he retired as, Master Sergeant. He was provisionally promoted to Command Sergeant Major, but didn’t complete all the requirements for that position. And frankly, Master Sergeant is pretty good.
I almost blogger about it this morning, but we should expect an attempt to “Swift Boat” Walz.
Here’s the TLDR version from Military.com
The story goes back to a post on Facebook by two people who served with Walz (who also happened to be Republican voters). Other people who served with Walz have defended him (something even the NY Post acknowledges is its hit piece from earlier today).
The military.com article also details Walz’s support of both Active Military and Veterans during his time in Congress. More available here:
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/08/06/tim-walz-who-spent-decades-enlisted-soldier-brings-years-of-work-vets-issues-dem-ticket.html
I don’t know if we should care about the “Manchin” wing all that much. There really aren’t that many conservative Dems left, and they are quite uniformly assholes. I absolutely do not care what they think or want. Primarily, because I find their deployment of the term “Centrist” to be insulting. I’m fine with small “c” conservatives being in the party, but I require some level of honesty if only to distinguish ourselves from the GOP which is up their own ass with lying. Also, the Manchin wing is tiny.
I am much more interested in what the Radical Centrist/”Problem Solver (barf)/Daddy Reynolds wing wants. I disagree with them greatly, but my quick googling says that they are roughly the size of the Progressive caucus, so their opinions carry way more weight with me. While I find them frustrating and annoying, that’s about as bad as they get AND they seem to finally be learning, hoo ray.
Just to stake out my position clearly, I’ve become intensely radicalized over the last, let’s say 10 years. A lifetime of being fed Boomer nonsense fears and lies about literally everything has done a number on me. That and transition has opened my eyes to the absolute shit sandwich women, black people and queers are forced to eat daily. It adds up.
@Erik:
I really wonder how this is going to play with people who understand what an important job that is. That’s a no joke serious job that one does not simply fall into Jared Kushner/JD Vance style. I think that might be more impressive than his congressional career. I think I’d like Dr. Joyner’s and our other Military peoples thoughts on that.
If Shapiro was that interested in a high-profile VP role, it’s good that he isn’t on the ticket.
It’s hard to overstate the image problem there would be if the first female president looked like she “needed” the “help” from a strong VP, rather than being able to address issues on her own.
Sound like Walz is a better fit all around.
I don’t know why the party would want an up-and-comer to be VP, or why the up-and-comer would want the job. It’s a weird spot where there’s name recognition, accomplishments are credited to the President, and the VP is tarred with the administration’s negatives.
It’s different when the Presidential candidate is so old that they are nearing an actuarial term-limit, but as a rule of thumb I think it should be someone in their 60s, where it’s the capstone in their career — a solid silver medal finish for them. This is what I thought we had when Obama picked Biden, by the way.
If Harris gets two terms, Walz will be 68 — a little old to run for the Presidency himself, recent candidates notwithstanding. That seems perfect.
And Shapiro and Whitmer and the rest of the up-and-coming governors have some time to build a track record so they have more to campaign on in 2032 or (ugh) 2028.
That said, if Harris wins, Walz will be Obama’s VP’s VP’s VP. But that’s just odd.
I thought Walz being such a senior NCO was a key factor. Unless you have been in the military I am not sure you will understand the role of the senior NCO and their relationship with officers in general and the CO in particular. In short it means you must have excellent leadership skills but also able, willing and capable of carrying out orders. You wont do it blindly and will challenge any officer who appropriate. Good VP material. Can be the star but doesnt need to be.
I met Shapiro once when a group of docs were asked to meet with him to talk about the fentanyl issue. For the first 10 minutes he was kind of an A-hole. My boss who was also there and is much more capable on political issues finally asked him why were invited if he was just going to be a jerk. Shapiro stopped, seemed to think about it and then agreed he was being a jerk as it was a bad busy day and said he would do better. After that he was very engaging and very smart and informed. He know the numbers as well or better than i did and it was always my job to know the numbers.
All of us walked out a bit irritated about the start but also impressed and the group was about evenly split between D and R. What we all agreed on was the guy would run for POTUS some day. He clearly wants/needs to be the boss.
Steve
@Matt Bernius: thanks for correcting mistake! I must have read that he held that rank somewhere but either missed the nuance, or it wasn’t mentioned. Either way I’m glad to have it right now
@steve:
It takes a lot to admit that. That’s a good sign of his EQ.
@Erik:
Try teaching 5th graders geography.
Try teaching on the Pine Ridge rez in SD. Probably the poorest area in the US. 60% of residents in Pine Ridge do not have electricity in their homes today.
We took their land. At the very least electricity ought to be gratis.
Walz did not do that for fame or glory or to buff his credentials, but because he could and thought he ought to.
Up until yesterday I thought Walz seemed like a solid dude. The more I dig into his past the more I’m fan-boi-ing over him. Dude is super solid, never went law school, and makes me proud to be an ex-Minnesotan.