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Kudos to Vice President Kamala Harris. He didn’t do the overtly political thing and chose a popular governor from a key battleground state to be his running mate.
Instead, the Californian chose a popular governor from a blue state that was very likely to deliver anyway – one that should have broad appeal in many purple states of middle America.
His pick of moderate Minnesota governor Tim Walz doesn’t smack of a typical, predictable, ultra-safe political move. This alone seems refreshing in this overly polarized election year.
She took a risk. If Harris had chosen the popular governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, he would have likely closed a vital battleground state that he must win in November.
But Shapiro – like the Governor of California Gavin Newsom – is already very active in his support for the policies of the Biden administration and warn voters against the dangers of a second presidency of Donald Trump. And Shapiro has a very strong local following. So he can help Harris carry Pennsylvania anyway.
At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday where Harris and Walz appeared together publicly for the first time, Shapiro promised that “I’m going to work my tail off” for the Democratic ticket. We’ll see.
Another vice-presidential possibility on Harris’ list — Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona — could also likely wrap up his state’s battle for the Democratic ticket. And Kelly has quite the resume: fighter pilot, astronaut, arms control advocate and all-around solid guy.
But Walz is a better, more natural communicator — with virtually no excellence, as he demonstrated to a national TV audience Tuesday.
After all, it was Walz who came up with the most effective adjective of this election cycle — a potential game changer — calling Trump and his running mate JD Vance simply “weird.”
“Strange” is easily understandable and, in the case of Trump, practically undeniable – as opposed to years of Democrats labeling the former president a “threat to democracy”, an abstract notion that requires too much explanation. “Weird” has much more immediate sting.
Such a lyricist who does not need polls and focus groups to tell him what he is saying is priceless.
Referring to Trump and Vance at the rally, Walz told the cheering arena audience, “These guys are scary and, yeah, just weird as hell.”
As for Trump’s running mate, Walz said — like he really meant it — “I can’t wait to debate the guy.”
Harris was drawn to the bald 60-year-old governor’s “authenticity” — presumably his down-home, folksy manner that constantly exudes sincerity. A regular guy. And Americans – we hope – are ready for normalcy.
He helped coach a small high school football team to a state championship and taught social studies. He spent 24 years in the Army National Guard, reaching the rank of sergeant major. The Democrat was elected to Congress from a purple district that historically went Republican. And he spent 12 years in the House working both sides of the aisle.
“I learned the art of compromise without compromising my values,” he said at the rally.
We need more elected officials who can get things done.
He’s a crack gun and a hunter – but he strongly supports gun control. “In Minnesota, we believe in the 2nd Amendment,” he said. “But we also believe in common sense gun violence laws.”
Harris was also impressed with Walz’s “happy go lucky” demeanor. He is positive and upbeat – not habitually negative and spewing hate like Trump and now Vance. Voters can be ripe for humor and smiles.
He thanked Harris for “bringing joy back” to the presidential campaign.
All that aside, Harris apparently followed his unfortunate California model as state attorney general in one sense: By not choosing Shapiro, he avoided a confrontation with a large labor group—in this case, the teachers of the public school.
Shapiro supports school vouchers — public money to help students attend private schools — which is anathema to teachers unions.
But Harris was right about this: the main Democrat of the nation cannot be suspected of favoring the choice of the so-called school – spending tax money on private classrooms.
Bypassing Shapiro, Harris also risked alienating pro-Palestinian voters — particularly in battleground Michigan — by teaming up with a fellow Jew who has staunchly supported Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
So Harris was somewhat risk averse in his selection of Walz. But this is a smart policy.
In tapping Walz, Harris also seemed to be making a play for the vote of the old white man – trying to put the spice to ease. Inclusion. Smart.
The first black and Asian American female vice president has already awakened young voters and people of color.
Trump must be squirming nervously.
The GOP candidate immediately called Walz “a dangerously liberal extremist.”
But Walz with his broad smile, rural roots and common man’s demeanor doesn’t seem dangerous. It looks like it’s out of an old Norman Rockwell painting. The evidence points to his extreme competence – as an officer and a militant.
As someone who has criticized Harris on previous occasions, I say that this time he deserves congratulations for making an exceptional move.