Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (Democrat) quipped to reporters on Friday that former President Trump “regrets” his choice of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (R).
“This guy hasn’t exactly gotten off to a good start and it’s clear that Donald Trump is regretting his choice,” said Shapiro, one of the leading contenders to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
Shapiro was responding to an interview on Friday in which Vance said Shapiro “talks like he’s doing a bad imitation of former President Obama.”
“I’ve seen some footage of him speaking, and he sounds like Barack Obama,” Vance said on the Fullsend podcast. “If you did a really bad imitation of Barack Obama, this is what some guy from Pennsylvania named Josh Shapiro would sound like.”
Shapiro called Vance’s comments a “bizarre insult.”
“Barack Obama was probably the greatest speaker of my time, so this is kind of a weird insult,” he said. “I’ll say this about J.D. Vance,” he continued. “It’s really hard to be honest with the American people when you’re not honest with yourself. J.D. Vance is a total hypocrite.”
“I think he’s the most inorganic candidate I’ve ever seen on the national stage. He doesn’t know what he believes, and because he doesn’t believe it, he’s unable to deliver a coherent message to the American people,” he said.
The exchange may be a preview of how the Shapiro-Vance dynamic will play out in the race. It comes as speculation grows about who Harris will choose as her running mate. Many of Harris’ running mates, including Shapiro, canceled weekend plans amid the speculation. Harris and her unnamed running mate are scheduled to hold a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Harris also named Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D), Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D), Senator Mark Kelly (D) and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as candidates.
