Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) joked with reporters Friday that he felt “buyer’s remorse” over former President Trump’s choice of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (R).
“This guy didn’t get off to a great start, and it’s clear that Donald Trump really regrets his choice,” said Shapiro, who is one of the leading contenders to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
Shapiro responded to Vance’s comments in an interview Friday, saying Shapiro sounded like he was giving a bad impression of former President Obama.
“I’ve seen a couple of clips of him speaking, and he sounds like Barack Obama,” Vance told the FullSend podcast. “If you were going to do a really bad Barack Obama impression, it would sound like Josh Shapiro from Pennsylvania.”
Shapiro called Vance’s comments “a bizarre insult.”
“Barack Obama was probably the most gifted orator of my generation, and that’s a weird insult,” he said. “Let me tell you this about JD Vance,” he continued. “It’s really hard to be honest with the American people if you’re not honest with yourself. JD Vance is complete bullshit.”
“I think he’s the most weaponless candidate I’ve ever seen on the national stage. He doesn’t know what he believes, and that makes it impossible for him to get a consistent message across to the American people, because he doesn’t believe it,” he said.
The exchange could be a preview of what the dynamic between Shapiro and Vance will be like on the campaign trail. It comes amid growing speculation about who Harris might choose as her running mate. Several of Harris’s rivals, including Shapiro, have canceled various weekend engagements amid speculation. Harris and her unnamed running mate are expected to hold a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Harris is also considering Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Kentucky Gov. Andy Besha (D), Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
