The race for the vice-presidential slot on the Democratic ticket is heating up as a group of contenders make their cases with increasing public visibility. The auditions have taken on greater significance due to the condensed timeline for selecting a running mate, a result of President Biden's recent announcement that he will not seek reelection.

A number of potential running mates, predominantly white men, are actively campaigning to join Kamala Harris on the presidential ticket. Among them is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" and labeled President Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, as "weird." Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also made his case on "Fox News Sunday," asserting that Trump has become "older and stranger."

This year's selection process for running mates is particularly public due to the limited timeframe following Harris's emergence as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. The contenders are aggressively campaigning on television shows and the campaign trail to highlight their qualifications and potential as Harris's number two.

Over the weekend, Walz, Buttigieg, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker made appearances on Sunday television shows, while Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro hit the campaign trail to rally support for Harris.

Walz, defending his record, refrained from disclosing whether he had received vetting materials, playfully mocking potential attacks on his liberal policies, stating that "kids are eating and having a full belly so they can go learn, women are making their own health-care decisions, and we're a top-five business state ranking high in happiness."

Buttigieg seized the opportunity to voice concerns about Trump's age and mental acuity, while remaining evasive about whether he would make a good vice president. Meanwhile, Harris is said to be considering around a dozen candidates, with Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper previously reported to be among the top contenders.

The expedited timeline for selecting a running mate has intensified the search for Harris's replacement, as she is well on her way to securing the Democratic presidential nomination. Harris is expected to announce her decision by August 7, in line with the party's plan for a virtual nomination.

In addition to the vice-presidential auditions, Harris made headlines by announcing her campaign had raised $200 million, with a significant portion coming from first-time donors. Several candidates took the opportunity to brand President Trump and Vance as "weird," criticizing their policies and character.

While some potential vice-presidential candidates from diverse backgrounds have been mentioned, conventional political wisdom suggests that Harris could benefit from selecting a white man from a swing state to broaden her appeal to voters. The importance of winning swing states has prompted endorsements from the Arizona Democratic Party for Kelly, the Philadelphia Democratic Party for Shapiro, and the North Carolina Democratic Party for Cooper.

As the race for Kamala Harris's running mate unfolds, the contenders are eager to prove their worth and demonstrate their ability to effectively support the Democratic ticket. The coming weeks will be pivotal as the selection process intensifies, leading to the announcement of the vice-presidential nominee and the formation of the Democratic ticket for the upcoming presidential election.