(NewsNation) — Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., thinks Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate should not address her perceived faults but instead should strengthen her hopeful messaging.
“Kamala Harris is talking about taking us forward … and her VP pick is just going to need to complement that message with strength and with conviction,” Auchincloss said on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” Monday.
Harris, he said, should choose someone who can address the “core framing of this election” — the future vs. the past — by being focused on what’s next and, if needed, ready to handle the presidency.
“That’s her responsibility to the American people, an individual ready on Day 1. Just like Joe Biden chose her because he believed she was ready on Day 1,” Auchincloss said.
When asked about the short list of running mates floating around, Auchincloss said he is “no better informed than the average Twitter user” on who Harris will choose.
“I think the Democratic Party needs to evaluate all of its candidates based on the merits of their policy positions and based on their ability to help this ticket get to 270 electoral votes; ultimately, that is the decisive calculation,” he added.
No matter her pick, the congressman said he is confident in the Harris campaign’s ability to pull off a win for the Democratic Party.
“We’ve seen that she’s closed the enthusiasm gap that was plaguing the Democratic Party,” Auchincloss said. “And she’s well on her way, I believe, to persuading those [Nikki] Haley voters in the heartland that we’re going to need to win over.”