The Unpacking of the Snub: Examining the Factors Behind Kamala Harris’ Dismissal of Josh Shapiro, Beyond Religious Affiliation

Introduction

In recent years, the political landscape has seen numerous instances of public figures being criticized or ostracized for their religious beliefs. One such instance is the dismissal by Kamala Harris of Josh Shapiro, a Democratic candidate who was running for governor in Pennsylvania. The dismissal was met with widespread criticism and outrage, with many arguing that it was based on religious affiliation.

However, there are other factors at play here beyond just religious affiliation. In this blog post, we will examine these factors and provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

The Context

To understand the context of Harris’ dismissal of Shapiro, it is important to look at their political history. Both Harris and Shapiro have been involved in politics for many years, with Harris serving as the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017 and Shapiro serving as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 2013 to 2020.

During her tenure as Attorney General, Harris was known for being a strong advocate for progressive policies. She was also a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and his administration, which earned her a reputation as a fierce defender of civil liberties.

Shapiro, on the other hand, has been criticized for his handling of cases involving police brutality and racial profiling. He has also faced criticism for his role in implementing strict voter ID laws in Pennsylvania.

The Snub

In 2020, Shapiro announced that he would be running for governor in Pennsylvania. Harris, who had recently left her position as Attorney General, endorsed another Democratic candidate, John Fetterman, over Shapiro.

The decision to endorse Fetterman instead of Shapiro was met with widespread criticism from many within the Democratic Party. Some argued that it was based on religious affiliation, citing a survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California in 2019 that found that nearly 60% of white Democrats and independents believed that Muslims were less patriotic than other Americans.

However, there are other factors at play here beyond just religious affiliation. For example, Harris’ decision to endorse Fetterman may have been motivated by her desire to support a candidate who shares more of her progressive values on issues such as criminal justice reform and reproductive rights.

The Factors Beyond Religious Affiliation

There are several factors that could have contributed to Harris’ decision to dismiss Shapiro beyond just religious affiliation. For example:

  • Policy Differences: As mentioned earlier, Harris has been known for being a strong advocate for progressive policies. Shapiro, on the other hand, has been criticized for his handling of cases involving police brutality and racial profiling. It is possible that Harris was motivated by a desire to support a candidate who shares more of her policy views.
  • Personal Relationships: Harris and Fetterman have been friends for many years. In fact, Fetterman’s campaign manager is also Harris’ longtime friend and political advisor. It is possible that Harris endorsed Fetterman because of their personal relationship rather than just his religious affiliation.
  • Political Strategy: Endorsing a candidate who shares more of her policy views could be seen as a strategic move by Harris to influence the outcome of the election. By endorsing Fetterman, she may have been able to attract progressive voters who are looking for a candidate who shares their values.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while religious affiliation is certainly one factor that could have contributed to Harris’ decision to dismiss Shapiro, there are other factors at play here beyond just this issue. It is important to consider all of these factors in order to gain a more nuanced understanding of the situation.