Harris selects Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be VP running mate, sources say

[onandup]

Source: CNN

Vice President Kamala Harris has made a decision for her running mate, with four people close to the process saying Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota is her choice.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kamala-harris-trump-election-08-06-24/index.html

---

Yay!

[polichick]

1. Based on what?

[Native]

20. slso WaPo breaking news

[CaptainTruth]

83. Probably his record, policies, achievements, popularity...

...I think she would base her decision on who she believes is best for the strongest ticket with the greatest chance of winning. I'll trust her decision.

[hamsterjill]

98. I like what I've seen of him.

So I’m fine with him. But I believe the actual strategy is to appeal to baby boomers (like me). Our age group typically makes it to the polls to vote and they don’t want us to feel left out.

Just my two cents. Again, I would have been fine with any of the people who have been in the running.

[polichick]

108. Totally agree - he was my first choice. I was wondering what...

the network was basing their announcement on - the campaign hadn’t said anything.

[mucifer]

2. Well CNN isn't always correct. How do they know this?

[samnsara]

70. cnn always announces before things are verified lol

..and they are mostly right

[DemocracyWorks]

3. He has increased security at his residence

Same thing happened with before we knew Vance was picked also.

[Doc Sportello]

4. Link

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kamala-harris-trump-election-08-06-24/index.html

YESSSS!!!

[polichick]

5. Why leak it before announcement?

[EYESORE 9001]

12. A secret between two people

Contains one more person than is required for keeping it a secret 🤐

[thesquanderer]

37. And in this case, more than 2 people need to know, since some prep has to be done in advance of the announcement

Press releases/speeches prepared, security arranged for, at least.

[Zoomie1986]

69. And don't forget families knowing the choice

The campaign can lock down the political staff in a cone of silence, but all it takes to get around that is a chatty grandkid to call up a bestie and say, 'Kamala picked my gramps for vp!'

Bye bye secret, LOL.

[SergeStorms]

104. Not to mention campaign signs for the convention, rallies etc.

Printers are notorious gossips. 😉

[Zoomie1986]

68. Or as Ben Franklin said

'Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.'

[Seinan Sensei]

77. And confidentiality means

… you only tell one person at-a-time

[madaboutharry]

6. I think this will be great.

He reminds me of everyone's favorite uncle.

[CTyankee]

88. YES! Also, supports PUBLIC schools. NO to tuition tax credits!

Separation of church and state issues are very strong with me.

[SergeStorms]

105. He'll help reclaim the mid-west from the Trumpublicans.

The mid-west used to be safe, sane, Democratic ground. It needs to return to that state. Walz can make inroads in that direction, imo.

[IronLionZion]

7. So the Philly event was to throw people off

I was expecting Shapiro because of Philly and PA.

Walz is an excellent choice too. Should be great for the midwest. Let's win this election.

[John1956PA]

11. The rally will allow Shapiro to beckon PA voters to support the ticket, even though he is not on it. n/t

[Irish_Dem]

19. Shapiro can still bring in PA by campaigning for Kamala?

[speak easy]

28. This is a rising tide lifts all boats pick.

And I think it is good for PA IRL. In 18 months Josh Shapiro has turned the state around, but the job is not finished. PA needs full steam ahead.

[Irish_Dem]

35. I think Walz can bring in PA.

He is a classic midwesterner.

[PlutosHeart]

96. A bit of Paul Wellstone in him.

O M G I am loosing my governor!!!!!!!!

[Irish_Dem]

97. I agree.

Oh no...
but your loss is our gain.

[et tu]

40. i agree totally nt

[Colgate 64]

101. Perhaps

But certainly nowhere near as probable as if he were the VP candidate.

[IronLionZion]

24. I hope so, also Biden's roots in Scranton can help

[AlexSFCA]

13. Philly event was scheduled way before Harris made the decision

[The Grand Illuminist]

17. Shapiro would be a terrible pick.

He would be a target for Trump and his allies and voters for what happened in Butler.

[TBF]

50. It doesn't matter what Trump wants, that's not the reason -

this is a lot more about making sure OUR base votes. I get it and I'm on-board. Let's do this!

[Gaytano70]

18. Because

Philadelphia isn't just a city in PA, it is the birthplace of our Democracy.

[ShazzieB]

100. It sure is!

I've been listening to Ron Chernow's biography of George Washington on CD, and it has really brought home how many key events in the founding iof this country happened in Philly.

I didn't even think about it until now, but considering the stakes of this election, the symbolism of holding this rally in Philadelps, the birthplace of the Constitution, is fantastic!

[Ocelot II]

29. The PHL rally was scheduled weeks before the decision was made.

It's the logical eastern starting point for the rallies around the country, and it has the cachet of being the US' first capitol.

[underpants]

55. I'm sure that's been planned (this whole tour) for a while.

[obamanut2012]

65. That was scheduled over a week ago -- it's to kick off a tour in an important Rust Belt state

And, Philadelphia is where the Declaration was signed, and was also our Capitol for a while.

[Zoomie1986]

71. I did warn people to expect a deke.

Anyone who's watched enough hockey knows how to spot a feint to draw in people only to psych them out by doing something completely different.

I think the equivalent in basketball is the head fake, and in football the old Statue of Liberty play.

[Doodley]

8. Very good choice! Great for victory in November!

[orange jar]

9. Fantastic!

I like him a lot. Honestly, she couldn't have gone wrong with any of the VP candidates — but Walz is great at messaging, politicking, and seems personable, which is very important for winning over apolitical undecideds and independents.

He'll make a wonderful VP.

[John Shaft]

10. He has a warmth and accessibility about him

REALLY like this fellow!

[wordstroken]

14. Yesssss!!!!!

Best choice! Woohoo!!

[Brenda]

15. Great Choice!!!

[Jon Ace]

16. Excellent pick

His speech during White Dudes for Harris really won me over on him.

[AlexSFCA]

21. I literally just learned about Walz a few days ago, an underdog?

Shapiro was in the news due to highly publicized race against freaky mastriano so I am more familiar with him. No bad choices, I trust Harris’s judgement and also I understand that Shapiro maybe too ambitious and can overshadow Harris. Regardless, he will campaign for Harris in PA anyway, maybe he would be selected for AG position if Harris is elected? What a change from Garland.

[Tadpole Raisin]

52. Interesting you said that. A reporter on msnbc last night I think

Said that she was looking for someone who wouldn’t overshadow her, undermine her, or have his eyes on the prize.

I thought that was an odd thing to say as I never saw any of them like that although I doubt Walz has presidential aspirations. That will make it a free for all in 8 years for the others.

I heard Obama liked Shapiro (he was very loyal when Obama was running) and Biden liked Walz.

Waltz is a person who doesn’t act like a politician. Great for all of us average joes. And his connections with his congressional colleagues will be critical to her success.

Woop, woop!!

[multigraincracker]

22. I don't drink, but would love to sit down with him

and have a beer. Who wouldn’t?

[onandup]

23. Scarborough is unhappy, that's a good sign

nt

[polichick]

25. He's been bitching about this for days - unwatchable.

[Ocelot II]

32. What's Scarborough's problem?

[onandup]

49. Shapiro carries PA, anti-semitism, blah blah

nt

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

94. 34Felony's check bounced ...nt

[Colgate 64]

102. I think he believes

Shapiro would have been a better choice

[Ocelot II]

106. OK, but why?

[SergeStorms]

107. Morning Joe is one of those.....

"east-coast elites" the Trumpublicans are always railing about. So is Shapiro. Now we have a solid mid-westerner as our VP candidate. How will the Trumpublicans frame that?

[Zoomie1986]

73. So is Bill Kristol

And there aren't too many downsides to that.

I said yesterday that if Bill Kristol was supporting a particular VP candidate, to run. Run hard and fast and as far away from that pick as you can get.

He's like the anti-Midas touch with VP candidates.

[Mme. Defarge]

26. FORMIDABLE!!!!!

[bucolic_frolic]

27. This is a man who resonates truth when he speaks to voters

He can carry the message, nationally. He has this energy, not of a packaged politician, but of transparency and believability. And don't take that as a slight to the also-rans, they are all excellent. But this guy is just over the top. I suspect he's been on the short list a long time. VP Harris didn't pick him to win a state. We will win MN. She picked him to win the election. I tells you, this is GOLD.

[ColinC]

30. The last woman nominee's running mate was named Tim also 🤔

[kansasobama]

38. And he did not help

Just saying.

[ColinC]

43. History often rhymes but does not repeat

[Elessar Zappa]

90. Well,

his first name is not predictive of a defeat so it doesn’t really matter. Walz is a great choice.

[Colgate 64]

103. Yep.

[Zoomie1986]

72. Yeah, but Kaine was way too wishy-washy.

Nobody in their right minds could call Walz that. He's got fire in the belly.

[BattleRow]

31. FINALLY

there are two grownups in the race!

[Upthevibe]

33. onandup.........

The more I learned about Governor Walz the more I became endeared to him!

I'm happy!

[V850i]

34. I was hoping Mark Kelly for a high energy ticket

I really thought Mark Kelly would have been the better choice, high energy, proven to win in a red state, great background with Navy and Astronaut credentials. I think Waltz shores up the base maybe, but I don't see his broader appeal. I am sure he is a good man though, and Kamala is probably way sharper than I when figuring all the pieces out so I am good with this and 100% behind this ticket.

[Johnny2X2X]

48. I disagree

I think Walz is a winning pick and his strengths are a great complement to Harris’s.

This is widely seen as a pick that expands the base.

[underpants]

67. I agree.

As I’ve posted many times Harris/Shapiro seemed like drawing 3 for an inside straight to me. As much as people are excited (and should be) let’s not ignore that Harris by herself is drawing 2. Hate to say that but that’s just the way it is as the song goes.

Walz seems like a good almost calming balance. Kelly would have been too but I’m sure his Senate seat was a part of this.

As noted below, Walz is a sit down at the bar with you kind of guy. Military experience too as a Command Sgt. Major (NCO).

[colorado_ufo]

56. I agree. Was hoping for Kelly.

However, she needs to choose whichever person would be best to work with her for the next 8 years.

[bearsfootball516]

63. Walz is the definition of someone who can walk into a bar, sit down by you and talk to you like you're his best friend

That sort of appeal goes miles in Wisconsin/Michigan/Pennsylvania

[AlexSFCA]

64. bot sure about Kelly being high energy

Walz seems to appeal better to working class blue collar workers in the midwest - exactly who we need right now. The voters that voted for Obama then voted for trump but at the same time also liked Sanders.

We are all overthinking this, they went through the vetting process and determined that Walz will improve Harris chances better than the others. I trust the process. GOP will struggle against Walz.

[Zoomie1986]

79. Kelly is not high energy

He's a play it safe choice. He's a good Senator, but he's a technocrat, and about as exciting as a mechanical engineering seminar. I like him and I even appreciate someone who takes politics seriously enough to treat them seriously...but I don't have illusions about his excitability. Because he isn't that kind of guy.

Also:

The astronaut appeal is no longer a thing. People don't care about that anymore. It died for good once any two-bit schmuck with more money than sense could buy a space ride like they would a ticket at the state fair merry-go-round.

Kerry getting crushed (unjustifiably) over his military record, followed by McCain's epic fail ended the appeal of ex-military candidates.

Kelly was always the candidate for people stuck in the 20th century.

[SergeStorms]

109. Walz spent 20 years in the National Guard.....

and he appeals to mid-westerners, which hopefully keeps those mid-western blue states blue, and turns those mid-western red-states blue again.
The mid-west believes Democrats have forgotten about them. This stops that crap in its tracks.

[kansasobama]

36. It is a good pick but there will be a battle royal in PA

It is a Midwest blue wall pick. I would have picked Shapiro to lock up PA. I believe they did internal polling that showed Harris losing a few points in Michigan and Wisconsin with Arab voters. In addition, they probably believe Biden can campaign in PA, Obama can campaign in Philly to assist. Only worry now is it is all about PA. They don't believe in GA because it has a Republican governor and it will be locked in lawsuits that may end up with no electoral votes by Jan 6th. Impending lawsuits in GA and AZ, not a strong AG in AZ, better option to win Wisconsin, Michigan Arab voters, a strong AG in PA, a better election stealing mechanism by Trump has made this pick.

[Ocelot II]

57. The last time a running mate delivered a state the ticket wouldn't have won otherwise was in 1960.

The conventional wisdom that you pick your running mate on account of geography doesn't hold any more and hasn't since JFK picked LBJ. They probably had internal polling showing they could win PA without Shapiro - who can help the ticket greatly by campaigning vigorously in PA. If PA elected him and Fetterman why can't it elect Harris and Walz?

[Botany]

39. Cue the music

&t=22s

[msfiddlestix]

41. Awesome! I hope it's true.

I haven't seen what time today the official announcement is scheduled to be made.
Does anyone know?

[FailureToCommunicate]

42. That's the ticket!

[DownriverDem]

44. Good

It wasn't until a few days ago that I saw where Shapiro would have hurt us in winning Michigan. Now we need to get to work.

[TBF]

45. I think it's the safest pick - timing is everything. Shapiro will still work hard to deliver PA! nt

[mwb970]

46. Great choice! I like this guy.

Walz is like your absolute favorite uncle. Vance is more like your wicked Uncle Ernie, who spends his time fiddling about on the couch.

[onandup]

54. Vance is the uncle you watch around your kids

nt

[Lulu KC]

47. Yay!

If true. I had fallen under his spell.

[madaboutharry]

60. I don't think that is what happened at all.

I think it came down to personality and geography. As a midwesterner, I totally get this choice.
I have a fine tuned antenna, iykwim, but I can't read into this pick a factor that just doesn't seem there.

[sunnybrook]

62. I agree

I will support her choice. But I am deeply disappointed that it wasn't Shapiro. If she had 2 terms Walz would be 75 then. Shapiro was underestimated imo. He's a powerhouse and won over many centrists. Republicans are thrilled that she didn't choose Shapiro. Because this guy has been witty and is the darling of the far left - great. That doesn't expand anything. Will come around but I was so looking forward to an energized Clinton Gore like ticket.

[wishstar]

74. Walz is only 60, only a few months older than Kamala

[not fooled]

75. ?? Walz is 60

So if she had two terms, he would be 68-69 then.

[Mysterian]

53. It's like McDonald's

I'm lovin' it.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

58. Not who I was expecting but still a good.choice

He's well spoken. Contrast him with ass kissing JD Vance.

[everyonematters]

59. She went with compatibility .

The reports are that she and Walz got along pretty well. The only thing I have is that he looks older than he really is because of his hair. No big deal.

[Eric J in MN]

61. Tim Walz is pro-labor.

Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) signed a bill last year which:

- Bans non-competes.
- Boosts funding for workplace safety inspectors.
- Protects construction workers from wage theft.

https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/05/17/labor-victory-minnesota-lawmakers-approve-9-major-worker-friendly-changes/

[FailureToCommunicate]

66. Yet another article about the good things, and broad appeal, he brings to the ticket...

https://www.startribune.com/as-a-black-woman-i-can-vouch-for-a-white-male-vp-prospect-from-minnesota-tim-walz/600683165

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

76. YESSSSSS!!

[not fooled]

78. David Hogg is happy!

Walz was his first choice. I actually first heard of Walz a couple of weeks ago from watching an interview with Hogg.

[Omnipresent]

80. Nooooo!!!!

Er, I mean…Yes!!

[onetexan]

81. HS football coach, teacher, owns guns & advocates responsible gun rights, codified abortion rights in MN, progressive

care advocate (https://www.statnews.com/2024/08/06/harris-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-vp-healthcare-policy-abortion/),
down to earth guy with an impressive executive experience.
Kamala chose well. I'm with her and with him. Harris-Walz 2024!! Let's support our ticket!

[mucholderthandirt]

82. She made her choice. She had nothing but good people to pick from.

I've already made a sign and put it on my front door. It won't replace the one I made for Kamala Harris, they work together.

[Roc2020]

84. Beeltejuice?? Say turnout 3x

He is a great pick. Harris is doubling down on the policies of the democratic party, no middle ground. Turn up and get out the base!

[AncientOfDays]

85. If he's who I think he is,

, then I came to the conclusion yesterday that is who she should pick. He brings a friendly, grandfatherly balance to the ticket - a kind of version of Biden. Yeah, personalities aren't supposed to count, but tRump has made this a personality contest.

[Warpy]

86. Good. Old white guys will feel better about the ticket now

and Walz is no pushover, he's a strong Democrat.

It's too bad there won't be a VP debate. He'd mop the floor with a phony like Vance.

[Beartracks]

89. So Vance is too scared to debate, too?

What is it with Republicans that their top ticket people are such wusses? And then they play it off as "being strong and principled," like "We're too good to debate with Democrats"? ROFL If ya can't stand the heat, get out of Democracy's kitchen.

=================

[Warpy]

91. It was announced some time ago that there would be no VP debate

I think it was before the execrable JD was picked.

Team TFG thought whoever he'd picked would have to debate Harris and they knew that was not going to work for them, at all. They noped right out of that one a long time ago.

[RobinA]

87. Yes!

PA gets to keep its governor! No Israel/Gaza issue to deal with! Something for the DINOs! A solid ticket with something for almost everyone.

[Bayard]

93. Mr. Bayard just HAD to turn over to see what Fox was saying

They're hysterical---Liberal Left! No border security! Yada yada yada! I'm sure at some point they will come up with--He's an old white bald guy like Biden!



Congrats to Walz for driving Fox nuts, and being our next VP!

[LudwigPastorius]

95. Awesome.

I was boosting Kelly, but Walz is plain spoken and sharp as a tack...a great choice.

Can't wait to seem him destroy the weird beard guy in a debate.

[hunter]

99. I think his Army NCO and high school teaching experience prepared him for this.

He's heard it all and knows how to deal with any kind of smart ass.

Trump and Vance are from some weird dystopian twilight zone.

Harris and Walz are the "no bullshit" zone.