Shapiro, Walz, and Kelly were the finalists in the running to be Kamala Harris’ eventual running mate. The vetting process for potential candidates was described as grueling and reminiscent of a proctology exam. Liz Allen was chosen to be the eventual running mate’s chief of staff, and preparations were made by campaign headquarters in Delaware for graphics, videos, and speeches. Despite Shapiro being seen as the front-runner, there were concerns about his loyalty to Biden and his ability to deliver his home state. Walz, on the other hand, was considered an underdog but gained support from allies such as Beto O’Rourke. Kelly, with an impressive resume, was perceived as a lackluster speaker and personally cool. There were tensions among Harris’ allies regarding each candidate’s loyalty to Biden and their stance on various issues like Israel and border policies. Ultimately, Harris’ team was not convinced that any of the candidates could secure their home states. The process leading up to Harris’ decision was described as resembling a real-time version of “The Bachelor,” with candidates being evaluated through exhaustive questionnaires, interviews, and hypothetical scenarios. Throughout the weekend, Harris had numerous meetings with potential candidates and advisers, causing her voice to grow hoarse, but she remained committed to making the best choice for her running mate.
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How Kamala Harris selected Tim Walz: An insider’s perspective
