Harris team calls out ‘absurd’ GOP claim that sidelining Shapiro was antisemitic
Trump and top Republicans allege that his identity and Democratic politics over Israel killed Shapiro’s chances
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on July 30, 2024. Photo by Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images
By Jacob Kornbluh August 6, 2024
Some Democrats, especially Jewish ones, may feel disappointed that Kamala Harris didn’t pick Josh Shapiro, the Jewish pro-Israel governor from Pennsylvania, as her running mate. Shapiro is popular in his home state, and he brought the possibility of delivering more electoral votes in this close election than any other swing state.
Some say Harris’ decision to go with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was influenced by an aggressive social media campaign led by pro-Palestinian activists and progressives aimed at keeping Shapiro off the ticket.
The Harris campaign has denied this. A Harris aide, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, called the claim “absurd,” and “absolutely ridiculous and offensive.”
“Josh Shapiro is a fantastic leader and he was almost chosen,” the official said. “And Tim Walz, throughout his career, has been incredibly strong in his commitment to the protection of Israel.”
And Mark Mellman, the president of Democratic Majority for Israel, said it was absurd to claim Harris, with a Jewish husband, would be reluctant to consider a Jew as a running mate. “Vice President Harris has picked Jewish men before for important positions in her life, so the suggestion that the selection is antisemitic is absurd on its face,” he said in an interview.
Regardless, some within the Harris camp worried about intense scrutiny from the far left over Shapiro’s stance on Israel and the campus protest becoming a distraction and alienating progressive voters.
Republicans sought to make an issue of it, with JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, telling reporters ahead of a campaign event in Philadelphia on Tuesday, that “They were worried that some of the leaders and the grassroots activists in their party wouldn’t take the Jewish nominee,” he claimed. “I think it’s despicable. I think it’s disgusting.” Former South Carolina Nikki Haley echoed that sentiment on the social platform X.
Van Jones, a CNN political commentator, Tuesday morning cast the choice of Walz as an olive branch to progressives who voted uncommitted. They “needed to have a candidate they could feel comfortable with.” But he added that the party will have to address concerns that “antisemitism has gotten marbled into this party.”
Former President Donald Trump capitalized on Jones’ remarks in an interview with Fox News Wednesday morning. “I have very little doubt” that Harris didn’t pick Shapiro “because of the fact that he’s Jewish, and they think they’re going to offend somebody else,” he said.
Trump says he has “very little doubt” that Harris didn’t pick Shapiro “because of the fact that he's Jewish, and they think they're going to offend somebody else.”
And… repeats that Jews who vote for Dem ticket “should have their head examined.” pic.twitter.com/pXRNl1IzIx
There is also a matter of personal chemistry and team dynamics. According to media reports, Harris felt more comfortable with Walz’s folksy style and easy humor — he seemed less likely to overshadow her than Shapiro.
For Shapiro and Jewish Democrats, there may be an upside to his not being chosen. Amid fear that Shapiro, who proudly and publicly embraces his Judaism, could be a target of antisemitism, there is some relief that someone else is taking the shots.
Last week, former President Donald Trump appeared to agree with a conservative radio host that Doug Emhoff, the husband of Harris, was a “crappy Jew” and “a horrible Jew.” And the Trump campaign doubled down in recent weeks that Jews who vote for the Democratic ticket are disloyal to Israel and should have their head examined.
In the long run, Shapiro’s star may rise higher if he’s not cast as a vice president and required to hew closely to Harris’ views and to avoid taking her limelight.
Instead in this election he can serve as a vocal campaign surrogate for the Harris-Walz ticket, receive a prime-time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month, and, if Harris were to lose the election, be in a strong position to run for president in 2028.
JTA contributed to this report.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
