Pennsylvania Republicans respond to Shapiro as possible VP pick

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser questioned whether it would benefit Shapiro to join a “losing presidential campaign, particularly when it means defending the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration.”

“If he’s on the ticket, he would be forced to advocate for open borders, inflation, higher taxes, increased regulation, and an all-out assault on American energy,” Meuser said. “So if the governor wants to associate himself with that agenda, then in many ways he’s not the Josh Shapiro that presents himself as Pennsylvania’s governor.”

Real estate developer Jeff Bartos, who ran for U.S. Senate last year and served as a delegate to the RNC last month, called Shapiro “a friend” but agreed that Shapiro would serve himself by staying in Harrisburg.

“Josh is a talented and very smart politician, but no matter who they put on the ticket, the Democrats are going to have the Biden-Harris agenda,” he told WHYY News. “They’re going to have to answer for that, whether it’s inflation, whether it’s the border crisis, whether it’s crime or whether it’s the war on energy.”

Of course, the question of the day is whether Shapiro would help Harris win the state critical to Harris’ success. Dent believes the governor could make the difference.

“At this point, if I were advising Harris, I’d say she needs to be ruthlessly pragmatic and do what she must to win Pennsylvania,” Dent said. “Shapiro clearly helps her in that regard.”

Greenwood agreed, noting that the selection of running mates usually has little effect on the outcome of the race, but given how close Pennsylvania elections are, this year may be the exception.

“We’re in uncharted waters here,” he said, adding that Shapiro’s youth and energy will be felt outside the state. “He’s not just ‘check the boxes.’ He’s a very special, talented politico, and I think that he’ll help the ticket, not only Pennsylvania but I think across the country.”

Polling shows Shapiro’s favorability in the state falling between 50% and as much as 60% among voters statewide, with one poll showing 77% of Democrats, 42% of Republicans and 39% of independent voters have positive opinions about the governor’s job performance. Meanwhile, 40% of Pennsylvania voters support Shapiro for VP, a higher number than any of his competitors enjoy in their respective states. And, according to a new Bloomberg-Morning Consult poll, Shapiro also has a higher favorability across the swing states (29%) than any of the other discussed picks, except for Pete Buttigieg (31%).