Social Media Abuzz With Speculation Harris Snubbed Shapiro as Vice Presidential Pick
Speculation Over Selection Stir Controversy
The announcement that Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential nominee instigated a storm on social media. Conservatives have vocalized criticism, arguing the decision constitutes proof that the Democratic Party grapples with antisemitism. Ilya Shapiro of the Manhattan Institute promptly shared in a social media post: “The Walz selection shows just how deep the Dems’ antisemitism problem runs.”
Noteworthy is that Governor Shapiro, a strongly favorable candidate, happens to be Jewish. He drew controversy during the VP selection process due to an op-ed he wrote over three decades ago, in which he focused on his volunteer service in the Israeli army and negatively portrayed the Palestinian people. Many believe that these views resulted in Shapiro’s exclusion, given the rise of a faction within the Democratic Party opposed to Israel and, more specifically, its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Rumblings From the Republican Side
Former GOP Congressman Lee Zeldin commented on social media, “It’s amazing that despite America’s bipartisan consensus that Josh Shapiro was Harris’ best pick for VP, he was ultimately disqualified because of his Jewish identity. This speaks volumes about the state of today’s Democratic Party.”
Similarly, GOP Senator Tom Cotton shared on social media, “Kamala is the most anti-Israel member of Biden’s team, consistently siding with Hamas’s and Iran’s interests. Walz’s views on Israel aren’t that different. But it’s clear Harris catered to her pro-Hamas, anti-Semitic base by excluding Shapiro simply because he is Jewish.”
Mike Berg, a spokesperson from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), issued a statement, “Kamala Harris did not select Josh Shapiro because antisemitic progressives did not appreciate his Jewish identity. This decision signals Harris’ first major concession to the pro-Hamas contingency within the Democratic Party.”
Response from Shapiro
Despite not being chosen by Harris for the Vice Presidential nomination, Shapiro fervidly addressed a Philadelphia rally leading up to speeches by Harris and Walz. During this address, he openly criticized former president and Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and his vice presidential running mate, Senator JD Vance from Ohio. “I trust my family, I trust my faith, which inspires me to serve. And I am proud of my faith!” Shapiro declared.
Social Media Users Weigh in
Social media exploded with reactions to the news. Prominent Austin-based attorney Adam Loewy posted, “The only reason Josh Shapiro wasn’t selected as VP is because he’s a pro-Israel Jew. The Left could not handle it. Why else would one reject the extremely popular Governor of the MOST IMPORTANT swing state?”
Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, echoed this sentiment on social media, stating, “They just couldn’t stomach a proud Jew. No amount of apologizing for being Jewish and supporting Israel could make Shapiro acceptable to them. That’s today’s Democratic Party.”
Such opinions suggest an undercurrent of dissatisfaction towards the Democrative party. Whether that will translate into action come election time is another question awaiting an answer.
