Harris, the day of choice: will the deputy be Shapiro, Walz, Kelly or a surprise?

The shortlist of potential candidates considered by Kamala Harris for the vice-presidency has been narrowed down to a very few names that have survived intense political sifting and debate. Harris will release her reservations today, before an early evening rally in Philadelphia where she will appear alongside the chosen one. But the fact that even as late as yesterday afternoon her campaign had let slip that a decision was not yet final signalled how difficult the personal and political calculus is: three big favourites, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arzona Senator Mark Kelly and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Some reduced the battle to a duel between Shapiro and Walz. But surprises outside the three main contenders were not excluded either.

Harris certainly had long face-to-face talks with the leading aspirants over the past few days, with at stake the fellowship to build an effective presidential 'ticket' against Republicans Donald Trump and JD Vance. At the same time, lobbying campaigns in favour of one or the other 'name' within the party have multiplied. Shapiro and Kelly are favourites among moderates, Walz among progressives. At least one other governor, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, could emerge as a compromise figure.

The merits of the politicians in pole position were scrutinised. Shapiro has been known to be close to Barack Obama for many years and was among the first, still as a state deputy, to support his presidential run. Harris is also considered to have long been linked to Obama and has recruited numerous former members of the former president's circle to his campaign. Shapiro is also a popular moderate in the state he governs, Pennsylvania, which is crucial in the polls for the White House. Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel, he has been criticised by the party's left on the war in Gaza, but could balance the greater sensitivity shown by Harris for the Palestinian tragedy. Shapiro has also supported public vouchers for public schools, a traditionally conservative position and one that the teachers' syndicate has been unfriendly to. Among the problems was a sexual harassment scandal involving a former staff member that he did not pursue vigorously. He finally ran up against the opposition of one of the two Democratic senators from his own state, John Fetterman, who considered him too ambitious.

Walz, with roots in rural America that often eludes Democrats, has instead become a favourite of progressives because of his popular tone and support for social policies in his state of Minnesota, such as paid time off work for family and medical reasons and the expansion of tax credits for families with children as a tool to fight poverty. She also signed a law for transparency and protection of consumers buying tickets online for events and concerts, the so-called Taylor Swift legislation. And she coined one of the most frequently used slogans against Trump and Vance, calling them 'weird', creepy.

Kelly, a former navy man and former astronaut, repeatedly won a senatorial seat in a tough state like Arizona, itself among the most uncertain in presidential elections. He particularly distinguished himself through moderate policies on immigration, one of the Democrats' Achilles' heels. He also achieved the construction of a section of wall on the border with Mexico where barriers and controls were lacking. His wife Gabbi Giffords is a former congresswoman who was seriously injured by an attacker and he is a staunch supporter of gun control measures.