(NewsNation) — Vice President Kamala Harris’ White House bid would be best served with the addition of Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, NewsNation political editor Chris Stirewalt said Friday on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.”
Her “nomination by acclamation” and the potent party support following President Joe Biden‘s exit from the 2024 race was impressive, according to Stirewalt.
“The degree to which state Democratic Party chairmen and chairwomen fell in line, got their delegates in line, pledged the delegates early” was a good sign for Harris, he said. “She had a majority of pledged delegates within just days, just a few days of this happening.”
Harris’ nomination for the Democratic Party is all but decided, with an upcoming virtual roll call aiming to get the potential nominee on ballots nationwide by the Aug. 7 deadline.
But her running mate is still up in the air. Stirewalt thinks Kelly would add to her ticket, allowing her to reach untapped audiences.
“He’s got a military background. He’s a white dude. It’s the optically, demographically … philosophy-wise, that’s the right kind of choice,” Stirewalt said.
On the other hand, having Kelly on the ticket might concern some of her more progressive constituents.
“If they want her to win, she’ll have that leverage,” Stirewalt said. “If they’re concerned, it’ll be much harder for her to win if she has to suck up to the base with a running mate.”
Harris has had a busy week, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hitting the campaign trail amid endorsements from prominent Democrats, including the Obamas.
