Newt Gingrich Explains Why Leading VP Candidate Would Derail Kamala Harris’ Campaign

Vice President Kamala Harris hasn’t officially earned her party’s nomination, but with endorsements from the party’s heavy hitters, it seems all but certain that she will be facing off against Donald Trump in November’s presidential election.

As such, she is currently considering a list of potential running mates, including one prominent Democrat that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) said could doom her chances with members of her own party.

According to the Daily Caller:

“Well look, they have a big problem. I think, by the way, this is why in the end Harris will not be able to pick Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania,” Gingrich said. “I think to walk into that convention with a Jewish governor as her vice presidential candidate would cause such a level of tension in places like Michigan that it would just be a wild scene. Sort of resemble Union Station. They have a real problem.”

“The problem is more and more of their party’s anti-Semitic, more and more of their party sides with terrorism. More and more of their party is deeply hostile, not just to Israel, they are deeply hostile to the United States,” Gingrich said.

CNN’s John King made a similar admission during a discussion of Harris’ selection process:

"He's Jewish so there could be some risk in putting him on the ticket"

CNN’s John King says that PA Democratic Gov Josh Shapiro’s Jewish faith is a risk if he's a VP nominee.

King converted to Judaism, so I don't think he being antisemitic, rather he's making a devastating… pic.twitter.com/8KRuyUrUkp

— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) July 22, 2024

Shapiro has already received some sharp criticism from the anti-Israel wing of his party:

Every potential nominee for Vice President is pro-Israel. Yet only one, Josh Shapiro, has been singled out by a far-left smear campaign calling him “Genocide Josh.” The reason he is treated differently from the rest? Antisemitism.

The antisemitic far left must never be given… pic.twitter.com/EE4HgRGzfQ

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) July 26, 2024

Nevertheless, he remains one of the likeliest choices to complete the presumptive Harris ticket:

🚨 NEW POLL 🚨

Poll: UNH survey shows Pete Buttigieg (21%) leads for Kamala Harris' VP pick, followed by Mark Kelly (17%) and Josh Shapiro (7%)

🥥🐝#HarrisButtigieg2024 #VPete #TeamPete pic.twitter.com/9IG03ME40n

— Luca🐝🇸🇪 (@luca_vhc) July 26, 2024

And another CNN pundit argued that he could be the best best to serve as Harris’ running mate:

Totally agree with this @ScottJenningsKY take on why Harris should choose Josh Shapiro as her running mate.

I would add two quick points.

1. Shapiro continues to have good approval ratings in PA.

2. Liberals generally like his economic policy record. pic.twitter.com/1DJ5IwA94c

— James Lynch (@jameslynch32) July 26, 2024

He is busy working on behalf of Harris in his home state, per The Hill:

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), who is considered a possible running mate for Vice President Harris, is set to kick off a weekend campaign blitz for her Saturday.

The “Weekend of Action Volunteer Kick-Off with Governor Josh Shapiro” will take place Saturday morning in Carlisle, Pa., which is outside of Harrisburg. Shapiro will be joined by Harris for President volunteers from central Pennsylvania.

Here’s a look at how the VP selection process is shaping up thus far: