Congratulations to Vice President Kamala Harris. She did nothing overtly political and chose a popular governor from a key battleground state to be her running mate.
Instead, the Californian chose a popular governor from a blue state that she had a good chance of winning anyway, someone who should have broad appeal in many purple states in the middle of the United States.
His choice of moderate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz does not seem like a typical, predictable, ultra-safe political move, which in itself seems reassuring in this overly polarized election year.
She took a risk. Had Harris chosen the popular Pennsylvania governor, Josh Shapiro, she likely would have secured a key state that she will need to win in November.
But Shapiro, like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, is already very vocal in his support of Biden administration policies and warning voters about the dangers of a second Donald Trump presidency. And Shapiro has a large local following, so he may help Harris win Pennsylvania anyway.
On Tuesday, at a campaign event in Pennsylvania, where Harris and Walz appeared together in public for the first time, Shapiro promised that “I’m going to work hard” for the Democratic nomination. We’ll see.
Another vice presidential candidate on Harris’ shortlist, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, probably could have won his key swing state for the Democratic nomination, too. And Kelly has quite the resume: fighter pilot, astronaut, gun control advocate and all-around solid guy.
But Walz is a better, more natural communicator, practically unsurpassed, as he demonstrated Tuesday before a national television audience.
After all, it was the outspoken Walz who coined arguably the most effective adjective in this election cycle — a potential game-changer — when he called Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance simply “weird.”
“Strange” is easily understood and, in Trump’s case, virtually undeniable, unlike the years when Democrats labeled the former president a “threat to democracy,” an abstract notion that needs too much explanation. “Strange” has a much more immediate impact.
A wordsmith who doesn't need pollsters or focus groups to tell him what to say is priceless.
Referring to Trump and Vance at the rally, Walz told the cheering audience: “These guys are creepy and, yeah, just weird as hell.”
As for Trump's running mate, Walz said, as if he really meant it, “I can't wait to debate him.”
Harris was reportedly drawn to the “authenticity” of the balding 60-year-old governor, likely because of his down-to-earth, country demeanor that consistently conveys sincerity. A normal guy. And Americans, hopefully, are ready for normality.
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, rising to the unlisted rank of sergeant major. The Democrat was elected to Congress from a purple district that was historically Republican. And he spent 12 years in the House of Representatives working across party lines.
“I learned the art of compromise without compromising my values,” he said at the rally.
We need more elected officials like him who can get results.
He is an excellent marksman and hunter, but he strongly supports gun control. “In Minnesota, we believe in the Second Amendment,” he said. “But we also believe in common-sense gun laws.”
Harris was also reportedly impressed with Walz’s “happy-go-lucky” demeanor. He is positive and upbeat, not typically negative and hateful like Trump and now Vance. Voters may be ripe for humor and smiles.
He thanked Harris for “bringing joy back” to the presidential campaign.
All this aside, Harris apparently followed her unfortunate California pattern as state attorney general in one respect: By not choosing Shapiro, she dodged a confrontation with an important labor group — in this case, public school teachers.
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 country's top Democrat cannot be suspected of being in favor of so-called school choice – that is, spending tax money on private classrooms.
By bypassing Shapiro, Harris also did not risk alienating pro-Palestinian voters, particularly in battleground Michigan, by teaming up with a Jewish running mate who has staunchly supported Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Harris seemed a little risk-averse in choosing Walz, but that's smart politics.
In choosing Walz, Harris also seemed to be trying to court the vote of older white people, trying to reassure the species. Inclusivity. Intelligence.
The first black and Asian-American vice president has already energized young voters and people of color.
Trump must be squirming nervously.
The Republican candidate immediately called Walz “a dangerously liberal extremist.”
But Walz, with his broad smile, rural roots and everyman demeanor, neither looks nor sounds dangerous. He seems straight out of an old Norman Rockwell painting. The evidence points to his extreme competence, both as an official and an activist.
As someone who has criticized Harris on previous occasions, I say that this time she deserves kudos for having done an outstanding deed.
