Following President Joe Biden dropping out of the race for the 2024 election, attention has shifted to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been endorsed by Biden and former President Barack Obama, along with other key Democrats.
Now, all eyes are on who Harris will select to be her running mate.
As bookies and political commentators speculate on who Harris will choose, Newsweek asked the generative AI tool, ChatGPT to identify which Democrat would be best to run alongside Harris as her Vice President.
At first, we asked Chat GPT with no names specified and our prompt read: "Imagine Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee for president. Who would be her best pick for running mate? When thinking about your answer, take into account the strengths and weaknesses of Harris, and how her vice presidential pick might balance the ticket. Consider their electability, likeability and chances of beating the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance."
"Also consider the importance of the seven must-win swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Take into account all those considerations, and any others you deem useful in making your decision. Provide reasons for your selection. Include six candidates but pick an overall single person who would be the best replacement. Provide a summary of who the person is and their strengths and weaknesses. Only consider Democrats, not Republicans."
Who Does ChatGPT Think Should Be Harris' VP?
ChatGPT proposed a list of four candidates: Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, former Georgia state Rep. Stacey Abrams and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.
The AI tool laid out the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, which Newsweek has listed below:
Pete Buttigieg
Strengths:
Experience: Former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and current U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
Demographic Appeal: As an openly gay man, he would further emphasize the Democratic Party's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Debate Skills: Known for his eloquence and ability to articulate policies clearly.
Midwest Appeal: His roots in Indiana could help in crucial Midwestern swing states.
Weaknesses:
Limited National Experience: His highest office held is at the municipal level, though he is currently serving in a federal role.
Youth: While his youth could be seen as a positive, it might also be perceived as a lack of experience by some voters.
Stacey Abrams
Strengths:
Voting Rights Advocate: Known for her work on voter registration and turnout, particularly in Georgia, which was crucial in the 2020 elections.
Demographic Appeal: As an African American woman, she would strengthen the ticket's appeal to Black voters and women.
Political Experience: Former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, with a strong track record on progressive issues.
Weaknesses:
Electoral Experience: She has not held statewide or national office, which might raise concerns about her readiness for the vice presidency.
Polarizing Figure: Her strong progressive stance could be a double-edged sword, energizing the base but potentially alienating moderate voters.
Gretchen Whitmer
Strengths:
Executive Experience: Governor of Michigan, a key battleground state, which she won by a substantial margin.
Crisis Management: Gained national recognition for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Midwest Appeal: Her leadership in Michigan could help secure votes in the Rust Belt.
Weaknesses:
Polarizing Actions: Her COVID-19 policies were controversial and sparked significant backlash, which could be exploited by opponents.
Limited National Profile: While well-known in Michigan and among political followers, she might not have the same national recognition as other candidates.
Cory Booker
Strengths:
Senatorial Experience: U.S. Senator from New Jersey with a strong track record on criminal justice reform and economic issues.
Charismatic Speaker: Known for his inspiring rhetoric and ability to connect with diverse audiences.
Demographic Appeal: As an African American man, he would enhance the ticket's diversity.
Weaknesses:
Electoral History: His 2020 presidential campaign did not gain significant traction, which might raise questions about his national appeal.
Policy Positions: His more progressive stances might not align with all moderate voters.
ChatGPT excluded some big names, like Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, because "Her progressive policies could alienate moderate and swing voters."
Similarly, Andrew Yang was excluded because, "Some of his proposals might be seen as too radical by moderate voters.
Overall, ChatGPT identified Gretchen Whitmer as the top candidate to be Harris's VP. The artificial intelligence, produced by Sam Altman's OpenAI, said: "Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, emerges as the strongest running mate for Kamala Harris. Her executive experience as a governor, particularly in a critical swing state, and her effective crisis management during the pandemic, make her a compelling choice."
Whitmer's appeal in the Midwest could be pivotal in securing key battleground states that are crucial for a Democratic victory. Additionally, her ability to handle both progressive and moderate issues with a pragmatic approach would balance Harris's more prosecutorial background and potentially contentious policies."
Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Whitmer via email for comment.
ChatGPT also suggested Whitmer would be the best replacement for Biden when we asked it that question earlier in July, before the president announced he wouldn't seek reelection.
Newsweek then asked ChatGPT the same question about Harris' running mate options, but specified names that had come up as likely contenders in the media, or have been reported to be under consideration. The prompt we used read: "Imagine Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee for president. Who would be her best pick for running mate of these choices: Andy Beshear, Josh Shapiro, JB Pritzker, Gretchen Whitmer, Roy Cooper, Mark Kelly and Tim Walz?"
"When thinking about your answer, take into account the strengths and weaknesses of Harris, and how her vice presidential pick might balance the ticket. Consider their electability, likeability and chances of beating the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance. Also consider the importance of the seven must-win swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin."
In response to this prompt, ChatGPT identified Josh Shapiro as the best choice for Harris's vice president.
The AI responded that: Josh Shapiro, currently serving as the Governor of Pennsylvania, stands out as the best running mate for Kamala Harris. Pennsylvania is a crucial swing state, and Shapiro's strong legal background and effective governance enhance his appeal.
ChatGPT outlined these strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
Shapiro's leadership in Pennsylvania provides a strategic advantage in a must-win state.
His legal background and progressive yet pragmatic approach can attract moderate and independent voters.
Known for his work on consumer protection and fighting corruption, enhancing his image of integrity.
Weaknesses:
Shapiro has relatively limited executive experience compared to longer-serving governors, which might be a minor concern for some voters.
Chat GPT concluded that: "Among the options, Josh Shapiro's ability to strengthen the ticket in a key swing state and his strong legal and governance background make him the best running mate for Kamala Harris. His combination of electability, likeability, and strategic advantage in Pennsylvania is crucial for a competitive race against Donald Trump and JD Vance."
Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Shapiro via email for comment.
A poll conducted by Public Policy Polling before the announcement on Sunday indicated that Shapiro would be the front runner to be Harris' vice president.
Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Harris via email for comment.
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about the 2024 presidential election? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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