In a swift move after President Joe Biden's surprising departure from the 2024 campaign trail, Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign has started the process of vetting potential running mates. According to a source familiar with the process, seven Democrats are currently under consideration.

The names being vetted include North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Cedric Richmond, a former congressman from Louisiana who served as a top aide in the Biden White House and campaign.

Surprisingly, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are missing from the list. Speculations had surrounded both as potential running mates for Harris, yet it seems they are not currently on the campaign's radar.

While Whitmer tried to remove herself from the running, stating that she is committed to Michigan, the source familiar with the vetting process mentioned that other Democrats could still emerge as contenders even though they are not being actively vetted at the moment.

The vetting process is being led by Eric Holder, former Obama-era Attorney General who recently endorsed Harris, and Dana Remus, who served as White House Counsel in the Biden administration. Remus was also responsible for the vetting process of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

With the August national convention in Chicago approaching, Harris is working against the clock. Typically, the entire process would take months, allowing for a more thorough evaluation. However, experts believe that the current list of candidates being vetted may be the only round of contenders due to the time constraints.

The decision of Harris' running mate will revolve around who can best complement her strengths. Experts suggest that Harris' team is considering candidates who can appeal to different voter segments and help build a new coalition to defeat Republican nominee Donald Trump in November.

Another factor that could influence the selection is the potential running mate's ability to act as an attack dog against Trump. The contrast with Trump's running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who is seen as a messenger to working-class voters, may play a significant role in the decision-making process.

The choice Harris makes for her running mate will not only impact the campaign but also provide insight into her thinking regarding the White House race with just over 100 days remaining. Experts believe that governors from battleground states may be at the top of the list, considering the importance of these states in the election.

As the campaign progresses, Harris is actively building her team to ensure a diverse and effective ticket for the 2024 presidential race, reshaping the landscape and offering voters an alternative to Trump's administration.