Critics slammed CNN after anchor John King said there were “risks” in putting forward Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as the Democratic vice presidential nominee because “he’s Jewish.”
“He’s certainly under consideration,” King said on CNN Sunday night, referencing discussions with allies of Vice President Kamala Harris.
“He’s a first-term governor, he’s Jewish, there could be some risks in putting him on the ticket, but certainly some of our voters here in Pennsylvania said, ‘Hey, we like Gov. Shapiro, give him a look,’” he added.
The popular X account StopAntisemitism underscored the hateful comment by pointing out how different the response would be if another ethnic minority were singled out: “Replace ‘Jewish’ with ‘Muslim’ or ‘Black…’”
“CNN POV: Being almost any minority group in politics is historic and a milestone. Being Jewish in politics is ‘risky and controversial,’” wrote Jaboc Helberg, a senior adviser at Palantir.
“It says a lot about the state of American politics, and perhaps especially in progressive circles, that one of the ‘cons’ of #KamalaHarris selecting Gov. Josh Shapiro as her VP, is that he is Jewish and the pushback this might receive,” added International Legal Forum CEO Arsen Ostrovsky.
Shapiro joins a growing list of potential running mates on the 2024 Democratic ticket after President Biden’s stunning decision Sunday afternoon to withdraw from the race.
The latest on President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- Biden drops out of presidential race after Democratic revolt following disastrous debate: ‘Best interest of the country’
- Biden drops out of presidential race: live updates
- NY Dems are already lining up behind Kamala Harris to replace Biden — with these big exceptions
- Biden delayed dropping out partly because he doubted Harris’ chances against Trump: report
- Miranda Devine: Joe Biden is too frail to run in 2024 but he’s still our president?
“While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” the 81-year-old commander-in-chief wrote in a letter addressed to the nation on Sunday.
What to know about President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- President Biden announced Sunday he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race — after weeks of prominent Democrats and donors calling on him to withdraw following his disastrous performance in the first presidential debate.
- In a letter posted on X Sunday afternoon, Biden admitted that it is in the “best interest of my party and country” for him to step down as the Democratic nominee.
- Biden wrote that he intends to serve out the remainder of his term and will address the country on his decision later this week.
- In a follow-up X post, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the suddenly open Democratic nomination. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” the president wrote.
- Former President Donald Trump reacted to the news by labeling Biden the “worst president in the history of our country” in a call with CNN.
Biden endorsed Harris minutes later, though he was not joined in that decision by senior Democrats in Congress or former President Barack Obama.
But if Harris secures the presidential nomination, other vice presidential nominees who have been floated include Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.