He’s no longer the “change” candidate.

f you’re compiling a list of the head-spinning, gob-smacking, I’ve-never-seen-this-before events of the 2024 campaign, here’s one more potentially decisive factor to add: A sitting vice president has become the “change” candidate.

It’s almost a violation of the laws of the political universe. By definition, a vice president looking to inherit the Oval Office has been part of the outgoing administration, and there’s only so much distance that a vice president can credibly put between them and their boss. (Often they try to find a way to praise what has happened, while hinting that things will be different, as when George H.W. Bush urged voters to “choose the horse that’s going the same way,” even as he’d pursue “a kinder, gentler nation.”).

But this time, the sudden elevation of Kamala Harris, along with the identity and character of her opponent, has — for now at least — made her the candidate who embodies change, no matter how little her policies differ from the current president. That this happened by accident rather than design does not make it any less potent as a political asset.

Mr. Biden said that he made his historic decision at his family home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in late July, just weeks after his debate with Trump, which caused concern in some Democratic circles.

“The polls we had showed that it was a neck-and-neck race, would have been down to the wire,” Mr. Biden said. “But what happened was, a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was gonna hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic. You’d be interviewing me about ‘Why did Nancy Pelosi say…’ ‘Why did so-and-so…’ And I thought it’d be a real distraction, number one.

The GOP vice presidential candidate discussed several issues with Jonathan Karl.

“I think we’re going to win. I also think that we have to work as hard as possible for the remainder of the election to try to persuade Americans to vote for us,” Vance told Karl. “That’s the name of the game.”

Vance elaborates on ‘pro-family’ views
The senator has come under fire for repeated comments made about childless Americans, including one during an interview in July 2021 with then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson where Vance described leading Democrats including Harris as “childless cat ladies.”

Will the 2024 VP candidates significantly sway the outcome of the election?

Selection of Smerconish daily headlines

Biden Explains Why He Left the Race, CBS News
In his first interview since withdrawing from the race, President Biden emphasized the need to stop Trump, framing his decision as vital to protecting democracy and his legacy of unity.

Zelensky Confirms Fighting Inside Russia, CNN
Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces have crossed into Russia’s Kursk region, escalating the conflict with a surprise incursion that has forced Moscow to evacuate tens of thousands.

Vance: “Let’s Start With 1 Million”,  ABC News
JD Vance proposed beginning mass deportations with “1 million” undocumented immigrants, as the first step in Trump’s plan to address illegal immigration and reduce labor competition.

Walz: No Stocks, No Bonds, No Home, USA Today
Governor Tim Walz is unusual in politics for having no investments, no real estate, and no home ownership, highlighting his working-class background and minimal personal wealth.

Trump No Longer the “Change” Candidate, Politico
Trump’s identity as the “change” candidate has been upended by Harris’s rise, leaving him looking like a figure of the past, more focused on his 2020 defeat than offering a vision for the future.

Inside Trump’s Slump, Axios
Trump’s advisers are worried about his lackluster performances and disjointed messaging, urging him to adopt a more focused strategy as his lead slips in key swing states.

OpenAI: Don’t Fall for Your Chatbot, United Press International
OpenAI is concerned that users forming emotional connections with its chatbots could change social norms and create unrealistic expectations, leading them to study this issue further.

In conversations with nearly a dozen Democratic lawmakers and candidates running in competitive races across the country, a common theme emerged. With Harris and her new running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Democrats have felt a tangible bump of energy in their districts, through spikes in volunteers, donations and event turnout.

But that hasn’t resulted in a shift in campaign strategy, with most in nail-bitter races still wanting to keep the top of the ticket at an arm’s length from the campaigns they have built around local issues.