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Why Democrats in Pennsylvania are actually relieved Kamala Harris picked Tim Walz instead of Josh Shapiro as her running mate
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is not heading to the White House any time soon, but many Democrats in his battleground state say they're actually relieved he was passed over as Kamala Harris' running mate.
After weeks of speculation, the vice president chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz instead to join her on the Democratic presidential ticket. The move was met with praise from Democrats across the political spectrum but also brought allegations, largely from Republicans, that she bowed to pressure from the left not to pick Shapiro.
'I thought it was going to be Shapiro, but we need him to stay here in Pennsylvania. We need him here,' said Harris supporter Betty Blue from Philadelphia.
It was a common response from Democrats DailyMail.com spoke to after the big reveal.
'I kind of wanted him to, but I also didn't want to lose him for Pennsylvania because he's so good for Pennsylvania and Bucks County where I'm from, so almost a sigh of relief,' said Carole Barocca from Yardley, PA.
Pennsylvania Democrats told DailyMail.com there was some relief that Governor Josh Shapiro in the end was not chosen as Kamala Harris' running mate because they did not want to see him leave the state just yet
'It was a little bit of a safer choice, but it was probably a wise choice,' said Lisa Schifflman of Wynnewood, PA of Harris picking Walz.
'We need Governor Shapiro right here in Pennsylvania because there's stuff happening here that he needs to keep his finger on,' she added.
'We get to keep Shapiro here,' cheered Brenda Ross from Downingtown, PA.
Marci Wilf from Wynnewood, PA said she was mixed about Shapiro not getting to join the ticket, but she thinks he could help Democrats in Pennsylvania either way. She also noted he has 'a long road ahead of him to accomplish a lot of things.'
Amy Izzo from Exton, PA also liked the Walz pick. While she supports her home state governor, she pointed out Walz did not face the same challenges as Shapiro over Israel.
When Shapiro's name was floated as a potential running mate, it was met with excitement from some. Republicans saw him as a formidable threat in a key state.
Shapiro used his speech in Philadelphia to rally support for Harris and Walz in a state that is crucial for Democrats winning the White House in November. He also spoke of faith declaring 'I am proud of my faith'
Shapiro's appearance in Philadelphia was met with thunderous applause as more than 14,000 people showed up for Kamala Harris' rally hours after Shapiro was passed over as her running mate
But he also started to receive criticism among progressives for his strong support of Israel. While his position on Israel is not out of line with other Democrats including those in leadership, other potential running mates did not face the same scrutiny as the Jewish governor leading to some accusations of anti-Semitism.
When Harris went with Walz, Republicans seized on the decision and accused the vice president of caving to anti-Semites, but Democrats in the state that elected Shapiro dismissed that, and those with knowledge of the process said it came down to chemistry.
Shapiro showed up for Harris and Walz in Philadelphia to thunderous applause Tuesday night and delivered a fiery speech where he vowed to work his tail off to get them elected in November.
But under the national spotlight at the rally of more than 14,000 people, Shapiro also took a moment to address his faith.
'Let me just say this. I lean on my family, and I lean on my faith, which calls me to serve, and I am proud of my faith,' he declared. 'I want to tell you what my faith teaches me. My faith teaches me that no one, no one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.'
Shapiro also praised Harris as 'battle tested and ready to go' and called Walz a patriot and dear friend.
'Are you ready to look the next President of the United States in the eye and say "hello Madam President." I am too, so lets get to work,' he finished to thunderous applause.
'He's going to make sure Pennsylvania does what they're going to do,' said Bertha Bellamy who was in the electric crowd for Shapiro's speech. She said she would have liked to see a Jewish man on the ticket. 'It's okay. We're going to ride with Walz.'
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz appearing at their first campaign rally as running mates in Philadelphia, PA on August 6. They were introduced by Governor Josh Shapiro
Forty minutes outside Philadelphia in Shapiro's hometown, people are not surprised to see his rapid climb up the political ladder as speculation over the governor being picked amped up, but even in the Montgomery County suburbs where he launched his political career, voters were not sold on him being chosen for vice president.
'I think he's doing good things, and I think he will be good for Pennsylvania,' said Margaret in Willow Grove just down the street from where Shapiro was raised. She thought it was 'too soon' for the less than one term governor to be seeking higher office.
Others suggested it was too soon for him to leave the state for the national stage, but they very much still see it in his future.
One woman said even if he had been asked, he should wait run for the 'number one spot down the line.'
Arther Verbit lived directly across the street from Shapiro's parents in Dresher, PA for years. While Verbit did not move in until Shapiro was an adult, he met the governor multiple times over the many years his parents still lived there.
'He was doing a speech for a women's group, and I said right then and there I was impressed and followed him ever since,' he said, recounting an event roughly 20 years ago. 'I said at that time, "this guy could be the first Jewish president."'
But even Verbit was not sure Shapiro was the right fit politically as Harris' running mate this time around.