What He Didn't Say

The proper answer is "I didn't say that."

Reporter: You have repeatedly suggested that the only reason Kamala Harris didn't pick Josh Shapiro is because of his Jewish faith. Do you have any evidence to support that assertion that a person who is married to a Jewish man is somehow anti-semitic.. pic.twitter.com/EZD2GqXJ1a

— Acyn (@Acyn) August 7, 2024

The New York Post has reported

GOP veep nominee Sen. JD Vance on Tuesday accused VP Kamala Harris of bending to the Democrats’ “far left’’ to choose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Walz is one of the “most far-left radicals in the entire United States,” said Vance (R-Ohio), arguing that Harris chose him to “fit the needs of the far left of the party.”

“She selected Tim Walz — a guy who wants to ship more manufacturing jobs to China, who wants to get an illegal aliens driver’s license and who wants to make the financial crisis … so much worse because he refuses to do his job and actually make it easier for American citizens and non-illegal aliens to live a good life,” Vance said.

The Republican vice-presidential hopeful’s remarks came after far-left groups dubbed Shapiro “Genocide Josh” over his support for Israel in the Gaza war, as Harris was deliberating over a potential running mate….

Vance also said Harris’ selection of Walz proved that the current veep “is running as a San Francisco liberal,” accusing the Minnesota governor and native Nebraskan of being California-minded….

Vance also answered a question from The Post about how he feels about his opponent being Walz — whom the Republican accused of having a “joke record” — over the far more well-known Shapiro, who was reportedly Harris’ second choice.

“I genuinely feel bad that for days, maybe weeks, [Shapiro] actually had to run away from his Jewish heritage because of what the Democrats are saying about [him],” Vance told The Post. “I think that’s scandalous, disgraceful — [regardless of] whatever you believe or whatever disagreements on policy you have about somebody.”

“The fact that that race — the vice presidential race on the Democratic side — became so focused on his ethnicity, I think it’s absolutely disgraceful, and it’s insulting to Americans, whatever background you’re from,” Vance added.

Shapiro was reported as a top candidate under Harris’ consideration and the final decision is reported to have been between the battleground governor and Walz, who was not one of the top contenders whom voters expected to get the nomination given his geography.

Vance didn't say that Kamala Harris didn't pick Josh Shapiro because of the latter's faith. He said Shapiro

actually had to run away from his Jewish heritage because of what the Democrats were saying about (him). The vice presidential race on the Democratic side became so focused on his ethnicity, I think it's absolutely disgraceful, and it's insulting to Americans, whatever background you're from.

There is a lot to unpack here, even aside from Vance starting one sentence with "the fact that that race" before he corrected himself. Hopefully, he was thinking "vice presidential race," which obviously exists, rather than "Jewish race," which doesn't.

There is no indication that Shapiro "ran (run) away from his Jewish heritage"- or even that if he had, he would have been selected by Harris. No doubt Shapiro's views on Israel played a role in the vice-president's selection, given concern about losing votes from anti-Israel Muslims and others and likely protests at the upcoming Democratic convention in Chicago. It was not primarily the governor's religion which was a factor, but rather his opinion of the Israeli war effort, however informed that is by his own religious faith or affiliation.

There were other factors involved in the choice of Walz. His superior (compared to Shapiro and the presidential candidate) likability, his relatability. Additionally, the vibe he creates and the personal style he reflects are far different than which characterize Ms. Harris.

Additionally, the NY Post cites "sources" who indicate one of the reasons the presidential candidate bypassed Mr. Shapiro is "her fear that he would steal the 'spotlight.'" The latter appears to value personal ambition over principle and personal integrity, and in that regard would not balance the ticket.

The evidence that Kamala Harris does not dislike Jews is that there is no evidence that she does, rather than a very secular (Protestant) marrying a very secular Jew. Although evidently unbeknownst to the reporter who confronted Vance, one person may marry another for any number of reasons. The stronger evidence that Kamala Harris does not dislike Jews is that there is no evidence that she does, rather than a very secular (Protestant) marrying a very secular Jew.

Nonetheless, as a politician, J.D. Vance cannot go there because it is a little complicated and serves no strategic purpose. The better response would have been "I didn't ay that" and put it back into the reporter's court. It also would have revealed a little hostility toward the media, which is always a winning pose to strike.

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