Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is seen as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a joint address to Congress at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who is among the top contenders to be Vice President Harris’s running mate, is uncomfortable in the role of attack dog and has eschewed politics for most of his time in the Senate, as reported by THE HILL on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Kelly’s clean-cut reputation and focus on policy raise questions about whether he can play the traditional attack-dog role of a running mate.
“The vice presidential candidate really ideally would be somebody who would be comfortable being an attack dog on the other ticket but doing it in a way that’s not off-putting to winnable voters,” said John LaBombard, a Democratic strategist.
“My guess is that Sen. Kelly would have some growth to do in that part of the role, at least as compared to Gov. Walz,” he added, referencing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who is also said to be on the vice presidential shortlist.
The junior Arizona senator has tried to get into the role of partisan brawler a bit more in recent days by smacking Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trump’s running mate, for claiming the country is run by “childless cat ladies.”
Kelly drew a crowd outside the Capitol on a recent afternoon, where he uncharacteristically took a few partisan jabs at Vance, whose past comments on a range of topics are fueling rage among Democratic voters.
“I think it’s a ridiculous thing to say about somebody,” he said of Vance’s characterization of Harris as a “childless cat lady.”
“It’s obnoxious and it’s rude and it’s also not surprising.
What I really worry about is what he would do being one heartbeat away from the presidency,” Kelly added, transitioning to Democrats’ top issue: abortion.
“Here’s a guy who, when he’s talking about women who have been raped or pregnant because of incest, [says] that ‘two wrongs don’t make a right.’
What is wrong about a woman who has been raped to want to terminate a pregnancy?” he said.
“I really worry about their rights if Donald Trump is elected again.”
Kelly has declined to comment on what discussions he might be having with Harris or her political team and insists he’s not auditioning to join her ticket.
“This whole thing is not about me — this is making sure Kamala beats Donald Trump in November.
That’s my goal. I’m going to work as hard as I can regardless of what happens,” he told The Hill.
Kelly, a former naval aviator and astronaut, has stayed away from political food fights since winning election to the Senate in 2020.
His approach to politics has been one of pragmatism and bipartisanship, often focusing on policy over partisanship.
This method has earned him respect among colleagues but raises questions about his suitability for the more combative role traditionally expected of a vice-presidential candidate.
His military and space exploration background contribute to his image as a disciplined and mission-focused individual, qualities that resonate well with voters but may not align with the aggressive campaigning style needed to counter Trump and his running mate.
Supporters argue that Kelly’s integrity and straightforwardness could be assets in appealing to moderate and undecided voters who are tired of political bickering.
The potential choice of Kelly as Harris’s running mate suggests a strategy that prioritizes character and competence over confrontation.
However, the pressure will be on Kelly to adapt to the role’s demands and prove that he can effectively defend the Democratic ticket while maintaining his principles.
As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on how Kelly navigates this challenge and whether he can balance his natural inclination for diplomacy with the necessity of a robust campaign defense.
Whether or not Kelly ultimately joins the ticket, his involvement in the campaign will undoubtedly shape the Democrats’ approach to the 2024 election.
