Senior figures within the Democratic Party are engaged in hushed, urgent discussions about a dramatic shake-up to the 2024 presidential ticket, the Daily Mail can reveal. The focus of these private talks is Pennsylvania's popular Governor, Josh Shapiro, who is being floated as a potential replacement for Vice President Kamala Harris.
A Party in Private Panic
With President Joe Biden's campaign struggling to gain traction against Donald Trump, anxiety is reaching fever pitch behind the scenes. The Vice President's persistently low approval ratings and perceived failure to connect with key voter demographics have become a significant cause for concern among party grandees and donors alike.
This has led to the emergence of a 'Plan B' that was once considered unthinkable: replacing the sitting Vice President just months before a general election.
The Rise of Josh Shapiro
At the centre of this political whirlwind is 50-year-old Josh Shapiro, who has rocketed to national prominence following a successful tenure as Pennsylvania's Governor. His key attributes are seen as a potent remedy to the campaign's current ailments:
- Proven Electoral Success: He flipped the critical swing state of Pennsylvania back to the Democrats in 2022.
- Broad Appeal: Shapiro is viewed as a charismatic and effective moderate who can appeal to both the progressive base and centrist voters.
- Geographical Advantage: His presence on the ticket could virtually guarantee winning Pennsylvania's essential 19 electoral votes.
The Monumental Obstacles
While the idea is gaining whispered momentum, insiders acknowledge the path to replacing Ms Harris is fraught with immense difficulty. Such a move would be historically unprecedented for a modern presidential campaign and would risk alienating the party's core base of Black voters and women, who are key supporters of the first female Vice President.
Furthermore, President Biden has repeatedly and publicly expressed his full confidence in Vice President Harris, making any change entirely dependent on his willingness to make a seismic and risky political calculation.
A Campaign at a Crossroads
These discussions underscore the palpable sense of urgency and uncertainty gripping the Democratic Party. With the election looming, the debate over whether to stay the course or engineer a historic late-game change is becoming one of the most critical questions of the 2024 race.
For now, the talks remain confined to private meetings and off-the-record conversations. But the mere fact that a figure of Governor Shapiro's stature is being seriously considered signals a level of internal turmoil that could define the final months of the campaign.
