Shapiro is a dream Democratic vice presidential nominee, but he’s Jewish

The elephant is the symbol of the Republican Party. But the Democrats have a huge one in the vice presidential room: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) religion.  

He’s a political strategist’s dream for Kamala Harris’ presidential ticket in numerous ways. Sure, Shapiro has been a powerful governor, gaining credit for rebuilding a collapsed portion of I-95 in 12 days, rather than months or years. And he has a whopping 61 percent approval rating in Pennsylvania, a swing state Democrats desperately need to win the White House. 

Shapiro’s also powerful before the cameras, a very useful skill for vice presidential candidates in the 2024 campaign. His speaking style has even been compared to Democratic icon Barack Obama.

But some leftist progressives who revered Obama’s presence in the White House, are working openly to block Shapiro from being on the presidential ticket. After all, he bears one negative that outweighs everything to a very small but very vocal group of Democrats. Josh Shapiro is Jewish.

It’s openly discussed as a negative by political pundits and reporters on television. And some Democrats have been cowering over Gaza’s impact on Arab and Muslim voters in the swing state of Michigan.  

Their fears are largely misplaced politically, as President Biden’s resounding Michigan primary victory showed. After a major effort to send a signal on Gaza, “Uncommitted” won just several percentage points more than when Obama ran in 2012. 

But with code words and subtexts, it’s clear that Shapiro’s open Jewishness still causes anxiety among some perpetually anxious Democrats. 

Not only that, Shapiro won’t appease the small, but vocal far-left crowd by only denouncing Israel and giving Hamas terrorists a free pass for their deadly actions. He’s also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But the Pennsylvania governor boldly stood up against campus protest antisemitism in a state where some Jews are afraid to attend its famous universities. 

In radical chic progressive Democratic circles, this is an unforgiveable crime against humanity. So they’ve started a “Genocide Josh” campaign to stop the potential nominee in his political tracks.  

These are the same people who brought us the “Genocide Joe” campaign, publicly hounding President Biden because he largely stood with Israel’s devastating response against Hamas terrorists, following the Oct. 7 atrocities. But Harris also just reiterated she “unequivocally” supports Israel’s right to defend its security, in reference to attacks from Lebanon. 

The other reported Democratic veepstakes contenders also tend to support Israel defending itself. So Harris and her potential VP choices pretty much qualify for the ultra-left’s dreaded “Zionist” designation as supporting the Jewish State’s right to exist.  

But there is no “Genocide Mark” rallying cry against Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, another reported top contender. Or “Genocide Andy” for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. There’s no “Genocide Tim” for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, nor any other reported candidates. 

“Every potential nominee is pro-Israel” besides Shapiro, noted Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) “The reason he is treated different from the rest? Antisemitism.” 

And despite the pro-Hamas chants and threatening protests blocking city streets, college campuses, highways and airports, most Americans support Israel’s right to exist—and always have.  

Attacking police, defacing monuments with Hamas symbols and pulling down the American flag for the Palestinian banner is only met with disgust by average voters, no matter what their politics. 

It may turn out Harris is better off running with another candidate, regardless of religion.  

But even critics of Israel, Jewish and non-Jewish, find Josh Shapiro’s religious litmus test beyond the pale. “Interrogating his position differently because the governor is Jewish is unacceptable,” declared Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.). 

Shapiro’s religion should not be a factor in 2024 America. It’s not only morally despicable, but politically unwise.  

Foreign policy considerations that don’t involve U.S. wars have never been a deciding factor in recent presidential elections. Even the young demographic—said to be so concerned about U.S. support for Israel—ranked Gaza way down in their listing of voting priorities. 

Without Pennsylvania that Shapiro may be able to deliver, the vaunted Democratic “Blue Wall” will collapse. That’s a lot of Electoral College ground to give away because a small group of ultra-left Democrats are threatened by the prospect of a Jew in high office. 

There are good arguments for and against potential nominees. Kelly is a moderate on the border, a mainstream political plus, which also runs counter to Democratic left philosophy.

His wife, former Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords, is a symbol of courage after being grievously wounded in an assassination attempt. But she is also Jewish, which could still make the anti-Israel left nervous.  

As is often the case, there’s plenty of high-powered lobbying of the Harris team for home state choices, including Shapiro. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is articulate, and doesn’t rile up the far left as much as Shapiro, yet he’s also Jewish. 

It’s disturbing enough Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is seen as controversial because he’s gay. Or that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, another critical Blue Wall stalwart, would prompt concern about two women on the ticket. 

Yet, in other areas once seemingly overcome in society, we seem to be regressing.  

Before he became a famous president, war hero John F. Kennedy had to fight prejudice that he would be loyal to the Vatican over his own country. Joe Biden is only the second Catholic president. 

In the 2000 election, Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman had to address how he would govern on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath. Yet, running with Lieberman, Al Gore won the popular vote.  

You would think religion wouldn’t be a factor in 21st century America. It’s certainly not a personal concern for Kamala Harris. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is not only Jewish, he’s been an administration leader on fighting antisemitism. 

As a candidate, Harris has been empathetic to Palestinian suffering and peaceful protest. But she strongly condemned the “abhorrent...pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric” in a recent Washington demonstration. “Let’s be clear: Antisemitism, hate and violence of any kind have no place in our nation.” 

It also has no place in the political process. Let’s hope the religious detractors get the message. 

I wrote a book, “My Name Is Geraldine Ferraro,” about the first woman to become a major party nominee for vice president. Still, it took 37 years for Kamala Harris to crack the VP glass ceiling. She could shatter another one—if Democrats don’t sabotage their chances over a distant war.  

There’s religious turbulence in the Middle East now, as there has been for thousands of years. Let’s not bring it here. We have many more directly relevant issues. 

Meanwhile, we need to reinforce a very American notion. Anyone, whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, any religion or no religion, can aspire to high office.  

Just focus the choice on what the candidate brings to the campaign. Not how he or she worships. 

Lee Michael Katz is an award-winning journalist and author who has reported from more than 60 countries. A former senior diplomatic correspondent of USA Today and international editor of UPI wire service, his work was syndicated globally by the New York Times Syndicate.