With just three months left until the presidential elections, the political landscape remains uncertain regarding the next occupant of the White House. For the Democrats, President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race opens the door to a new ticket; however, with weeks to go until the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris holds a clear lead. One of the names emerging as a potential running mate for Harris is North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Biden's decision is unprecedented. Never before in U.S. history has an incumbent president stepped down from the re-election race so close to the elections. This changes the electoral landscape.
In major electoral campaigns, (sadly) it is not ideas that move voters, but rather the perception voters have of a candidate. This ultimately led Biden not to seek re-election. Additionally, the electoral college system emphasizes the votes of “swing states,” in this case: Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Biden's poll numbers were not strong in these states.
In this context, choosing a vice-presidential candidate is very important. Among other things, the aim is for the running mate to excite the participation of undecided voters, especially in the swing states.
The Republican Ticket
On the Republican side, Donald Trump, after years of endless scandals, ethically and legally questionable actions while in power, multiple criminal charges against him, and blatant support for an insurrectionist movement to overturn the 2020 elections remains at the head of the Republican Party and various polls.
Trump chose Ohio Senator JD Vance as his vice-presidential candidate. However, far from exciting his base, this decision has drawn criticism among ultra-conservative groups, who questioned Vance's long-time public repudiation of Trump. Additionally, there have been racist and xenophobic comments against his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, who is the daughter of Indian immigrants.
The Democratic Ticket
The Democratic National Convention will take place on August 19 in Chicago, where the party’s presidential ticket will be officially decided. However, just hours after Biden's exit, Vice President Kamala Harris received significant support from key Democratic figures and generated unusual enthusiasm among donors.
Harris’s campaign has unofficially released a list of individuals being considered for the vice-presidential spot, including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
Is Roy Cooper a Good Option for Vice President?
Unlike the other names on the list, Cooper has the experience of consecutively winning elections in a swing state where, over the past 15 years, Republican presidential candidates have prevailed at the polls.
Furthermore, the governor has managed to navigate the opposition of a General Assembly controlled by Republican legislators. Cooper has demonstrated leadership in seeking agreements and making decisions. This is something the federal government and Congress could learn from, as they lack concrete results and have an excess of excuses to justify their inaction on issues such as the economy and immigration reform.