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Political Implications of Kamala Harris’s Potential VP Pick

During a recent appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Chris Christie suggested that the GOP would have to look at itself if Vice President Kamala Harris decides to select Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate. Christie stated, “If she picks Shapiro on Tuesday, Donald Trump created Josh Shapiro.”

Christie referenced Trump’s endorsement of Doug Mastriano, whom he termed the “weakest Republican candidate” in the 2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial race. This endorsement, according to Christie, inadvertently allowed Shapiro the opportunity to focus on coalition-building rather than strictly catering to his political base. He highlighted how Shapiro managed to unite various voter demographics to secure his position.

Shapiro is considered a leading candidate for the vice presidency, primarily due to his popularity in Pennsylvania, a crucial state in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Christie remarked on the irony of Shapiro’s increasing stature, attributing it to Trump’s missteps. “Now [Shapiro’s] seen as a coalition builder because he did it,” Christie explained. “But the only reason he could do it is because Trump made another ridiculously stupid endorsement by endorsing Mastriano.”

In another segment of the discussion, Christie addressed Trump’s comments regarding the pardoning of individuals convicted for crimes related to the January 6 Capitol riots. He noted, “Trump’s been consistent, he says he’s going to pardon them… if he says he’s going to pardon those folks, if he’s elected, you could take to the bank that he will.” This statement echoed a consistent theme in Trump’s rhetoric that, according to Christie, often translates into action.

Christie’s views contrasted sharply with those of Rep. Byron Donalds, who had also appeared earlier on the program. Donalds asserted that Trump would evaluate charges against those convicted on an individual basis rather than committing to blanket pardons.

Donna Brazile, another guest on the show, weighed in on the implications of Trump’s comments questioning Harris’s racial identity. She criticized this tactic as reminiscent of divisive political strategies from previous decades, likening it to Trump’s earlier questioning of President Barack Obama’s citizenship. “America is tired of this playbook,” Brazile asserted. “We’re tired of questioning people’s background simply because they don’t look like something or someone else. Donald Trump wants to be the arbitrator of who is an American, and he’s not. Is this strategy or impulse? Impulse.”

The discussion highlights significant dynamics in the political landscape as the 2024 election approaches, emphasizing both the strategic considerations of potential vice presidential picks and the ongoing challenges of race and identity in American politics.

For additional insights, viewers can watch the interview on ABC’s “This Week” featuring Chris Christie and Donna Brazile.

Source
www.thewrap.com