The Case for Mark Kelly as Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidential Pick

IIn the blink of an eye last Sunday, the 2024 presidential race was completely transformed by Joe Biden’s historic withdrawal, followed by his immediate “full support and endorsement.” of his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris. Oddsmakers, insiders and cable news pundits were suddenly faced with a tantalizing new political calculation.

No longer a contest between two elderly candidates – one current and one former POTUS – now the Democrats have changed their formation, leaving open only the question of who would be Harris’ vice-presidential candidate.

Quickly, Democrats across the country – delegates, superdelegates, donors, and congressional leaders – unified behind Vice President Harris. Overnight, it seems, nearly $100 million dollars were injected into his campaign coffers. Now, Democrats gather around the refrigerator for one thing: her decision on a vice president.

See more information: Who could be Kamala Harris’ running mate? Here is the list

Having a strong bench to choose from, early speculation centered on the Party’s high-profile governors – Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Jared Polis of Colorado – all from states crucial in the Electoral College competition. California Governor Gavin Newsom withdrew from the race, in recognition of the constitutional prohibition that both members of the ticket be from the same state.

Some thought Harris might turn to a current Biden cabinet official — the most mentioned are Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

But informed speculation on Capitol Hill and in Washington think tanks, spurred by a new burst of energy and enthusiasm in the Democratic Party, has centered on Arizona’s junior senator, Mark Kelly, whose credentials and compelling life story make him a potential very atractive. To some extent, Harris is considering Kelly. Shortly after Biden endorsed Harris, she called several vice presidential possibilities. Kelly was one of them. Shortly after, he was being officially examined.

Kelly’s case is brilliant, authentic and persuasive. Kelly comes with extensive military experience, helping Harris, who has none. Kelly is a decorated Navy pilot with combat experience. He is an experienced astronaut who commanded the space shuttle Endeavour. He campaigned as a political moderate, favoring stricter gun control, and won a Senate seat from Arizona. After four years on Capitol Hill, a difficult place to make friends, Kelly is highly regarded by colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Since 2011, when his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, was nearly killed in an assassination attempt, Kelly has never left her side, organizing her recovery effort and earning a reputation for loyalty and kindness by sharing the excruciating experience with her. and horrible. . Both Gifford and Kelly are seen as American heroes.

The fact that he will almost certainly put Arizona’s 11 electoral votes in the Democratic column is a clincher for Harris-Kelly and a coup de grace for Trump-Vance.

In a recent conversation with Kelly’s identical twin brother, Scott, another retired Navy captain and astronaut, the senator was described as skilled in crisis management and scientific exploration, tough on border security and arms control (although owns guns and supports the Second Amendment). During his Senate career, Kelly was instrumental in several important public policy initiatives, including landmark legislation to lower prescription drug prices and lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors; the bipartisan $52 billion package to increase domestic microchip manufacturing and select proposals to ban stock trading by members of Congress and eliminate corporate PACs.

Given the Democrats’ clear determination to arrive and leave the Chicago convention next month in a spirited, energetic and unified posture, Kelly’s history and stature, if linked to the Harris ticket, would strengthen the Democratic quest for an electoral victory on March 5. November. , ushering in a new generation of political leadership.

Welcome aboard, Commander Kelly.