Harris chose the wrong person.
Charlamagne Tha God, the well-known media figure, recently articulated his belief that Vice President Kamala Harris should have chosen Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate over Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. During an interview on The New Yorker‘s “The Political Scene” podcast, he questioned Walz’s preparedness for a national role, suggesting that he may not be ready for the spotlight.
In the discussion, Charlamagne highlighted Harris and Shapiro as part of a new generation of Democratic leaders, emphasizing their potential. When New Yorker editor David Remnick asked about Walz, Charlamagne humorously noted that discussing him might get him in trouble, citing rapper Jay-Z’s lyrics to convey his sentiments about Walz’s capabilities. While he acknowledged some positive aspects of Walz’s policies, he felt that his selection was more about “vibes” than substantive readiness.
Charlamagne expressed disappointment upon learning that Walz had been nominated, noting that he initially expected Shapiro to be chosen. He likened the excitement surrounding Walz’s nomination to a fleeting “sugar high” that quickly faded. Furthermore, he anticipated that Walz would struggle in his upcoming debate against GOP candidate JD Vance, who had more experience handling challenging media engagements.
Although Charlamagne recognized that Walz might be a preferable pick compared to Vance, he critiqued the optics of selecting an older white male in a time when voters are seeking more diverse representation in leadership roles. He reiterated Shapiro as his ideal choice for the vice presidency, pointing out that his selection could have signaled a shift in the party’s image.
When Remnick probed why Shapiro was not chosen, Charlamagne speculated that Shapiro’s strong leadership presence might have been intimidating for Harris. However, he dismissed this reasoning, asserting that the vice president should ideally be someone who embodies the qualities of a leader. He also rejected suggestions that Shapiro’s Jewish identity influenced Harris’s decision, arguing that U.S. support for Israel would remain consistent regardless of the presidency.
