In retrospection of the 2024 election, one might say Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro owes gratitude to Tim Walz. Walz, having been chosen as Kamala Harris’s running partner, inadvertently provided Shapiro a saving grace from what would’ve been a downward spiral in his political journey. A recent publication delves into how narrowly Shapiro escaped being part of what can only be termed a political disaster. The book depicts how Harris’s choice of vice-president was coloured not by a search for governance compatibility, but rather someone who wouldn’t dent her influence or aspirations.
Unveiling the August 3 interactions between Shapiro and Harris at her abode, the book explains how quickly the meeting deteriorated. Shapiro’s assertive display of ambition and his insistence to clarify his potential role did not sit well with Harris. Instead of recognizing a politician who knew his worth and asked pertinent questions about a career-defining post, it resulted in Harris forming an unpleasant impression.
This incident exemplifies one of the glaring issues within Harris’s camp: the preference for subservient loyalty over the threat of overshadowing competence from others. The narrative painted Shapiro as a strong supporter of Israel, which supposedly made him unfit for the vice-presidential role. But the authors highlight that this wasn’t the key reason behind his rejection.
Despite myriad conjectures, Shapiro’s political views were in line with the Biden administration and other vice-presidential contenders. The actual crux, as it was, revolved around Shapiro’s firm stance against playing second fiddle to anyone. Upon contacting Harris’s staff post-interview to voice his ‘further reservations’, it unfolded that his hesitance wasn’t about relinquishing his governorship but a smart understanding of avoiding the political suicide of riding a doomed campaign.
Moving to the present, Shapiro has been discreetly shaping his political trajectory on his unique terms. His participation in the recent Energy and Innovation Summit reflects his monumental value to be squandered in a subordinate role. Shapiro’s efforts in bipartisan consensus led to procuring multi-billion dollar energy investments for Pennsylvania’s economic blueprint.
His tenacity and foresight were further evident from his earlier role as the Attorney General, where he took a construction firm to task for stealing $20 million from the workers in the Hawbaker case. His knack for prioritizing battles that directly affect everyday lives solidifies his credibility, a trait many Democrats believed could have added weight to Harris’s campaign. Being youthful at 51, and having a moderate image could have provided a balance to Harris’s perceived Californian liberalism.
Shapiro’s dynamic oratory, likened to Barack Obama’s, was another asset for the Democrats. However, some party members brooded over Shapiro’s Obama-esque style, almost amounting to imitation. Recent improvements are noticeable as he tunes down obvious mimicking and refines his authenticity during public appearances and social media engagements.
Still, Shapiro’s growth crusade isn’t without hurdles. Observers noted that he appeared to be wearing height-enhancing lifts during the energy summit, standing at around 5’6″, he would be the shortest president since James Madison, if he were to seek the office. He also faces transparency hurdles; ranging from issues of deleted emails and obscured climate working groups, to allegations about splurging $350,000 in taxpayer money on redacted bills from private law firms.
These issues, while needing rectification urgently, are not insurmountable for a politician navigating his political path independently. Aligning with the failed Harris campaign could have irrevocably tainted his political standing. The campaigning higher-ups blamed everything from condensed timelines to global inflation for their failures, absolving themselves of their strategic missteps.
The tell-all book also reveals concerns from the rival campaign about Shapiro’s potential candidacy. One particular instance involved a Pennsylvania farming family who initially agreed to host the vice-presidential announcement for Harris but backed out upon learning that the invite was for another candidate, not Shapiro. A wise adage reminds us, sometimes the best job is one not taken at all.
By having the courage to confront hard questions and the political insight to recognize a perilous step, Josh Shapiro impeccably sidestepped a likely political calamity. The Democrats, eager for a comeback on the national stage by 2028, owe him their gratitude for such a necessary, self-respecting act.
Looking back at the elaborate political circus of the 2024 election, one can’t help but remark on Shapiro’s astute judgment. His diplomatic decline from playing second fiddle to Harris, his unwavering vision of his political path, and his pragmatic approach towards public service underline the growing dichotomy amidst the political echelons.
Yet, as much as this entire incident depicts the prudence of one individual, it concurrently drags into the limelight the questionable tactics and flawed decision-making within the Harris campaign. The preference of docility over competence, the scapegoating of larger macroeconomic issues for internal fiascoes, and an overarching veil of questionable transparency all point towards a campaign deeply in need of introspection and reform.