Until a few weeks ago, his name was almost nonexistent on the lists of potential candidates for the position of Vice President of the Democrats.
With a dose of exaggeration, what brought him to the surface and put him under the microscope of Kamala Harris as a potential running mate was a phrase he uttered during an interview against the Trump – Vance duo.
“These guys are weird.”
“Weird,” in English, which means “strange” but with a connotation that slightly leans towards quirky, perhaps even eccentric.
This label that he attached to Trump and his vice-presidential candidate quickly became something like a slogan among Democrats. And now the phrase appears, almost daily, in the speeches of Kamala Harris, who is already leading the Democrats to a dynamic polling recovery.
Anti – MAGA
Generally, Walz seems to be considered the most suitable person for a difficult mission: to deconstruct Trump’s MAGA agenda and his political ecosystem.
He is thus seen by many as the person who can criticize Trump without becoming toxic.
Even more importantly, there is another (presumed) political asset of his. He is regarded as somewhat of a bulwark against the Republicans’ momentum, in the so-called “blue wall” of the Midwestern States. While Minnesota, of which he is governor, may not be one of the pivotal States, Harris hopes that Walz will have a broader, interstate appeal.
I am proud to announce that I’ve asked @Tim_Walz to be my running mate.
As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his.
It’s great to have him on the team.
Now let’s get to work. Join us:https://t.co/W4AE2WlMTj
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 6, 2024
Walz spent over two decades in the National Guard, even serving abroad after the September 11 attacks. He worked in this capacity as a teacher as well as an assistant coach.
Moreover, her selected vice president has a long and positive track record in promoting the “progressive” agenda.
During his term, he has evolved into something quite close to a “progressive folk hero,” comments CNN.
This is exactly the kind of dynamic voice that the Democrats want against Trump.
Faithful
During the period leading up to his selection as Harris’s vice presidential candidate, Walz also demonstrated virtues.
Initially, he stood firmly and sincerely by Joe Biden even after the disastrous debate.
However, when Biden dropped out, Walz immediately supported Harris, and since then has emerged as a reliable and dynamic supporter of hers.
Chemistry
The chemistry between the governor and Kamala Harris played a significant role in his selection.
The time they spent together when Walz was fighting for reelection in 2022, as well as their joint visit to an abortion clinic last March, clearly bonded them quite a bit.
Subsequently, Harris’s team recognized how beneficial and “supportive” Walz is for the party base.
Biden: Excellent decision
Kamala Harris made an “excellent decision” in choosing Governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential nominee, Joe Biden said in his first reaction.
The duo “will be a strong voice for workers and the American middle class. They will be the strongest defenders of our individual freedoms and our democracy,” he added.
“As a governor, teacher, and military veteran, he has delivered for working families as if they were his own. It’s wonderful to have him on the team. Now, let’s get to work,” Harris said regarding Walz, in her announcement of his selection.
The first major decision a party nominee makes is their choice for Vice President. And Kamala Harris has made a great decision in choosing Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.
I’ve known Tim Walz for nearly two decades, first during his time in Congress and as Governor. A…
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 6, 2024
Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota, is a veteran of the National Guard and a former teacher, with political experience having served for 12 years in the House of Representatives.
The greatest honor
It is the “greatest honor of my life,” Walz said in his first reaction to his nomination. “I will give it my all,” he promised, saying, “Vice President Harris shows us the political art of the possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day at school.”