MY REACTION TO GOV. TIM WALZ (VP PICK)
Like many Americans, I didn’t know much about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz until recent weeks.
I presume the same “blank reaction” could be applied to JD Vance when he was initially chosen as Trump’s veep creep. Now, Vance is very well-known nationally and the albatross isn’t good for the Trumplican Party, though it’s been a great few weeks for Democrats and late-night comedians who have used Vance as a deflated punching bag. As millions of voters have learned more about Vance and his wacky ultra-“weirdness,” they don’t like what they see. He’s clearly hurt the Republican ticket, though it remains to be seen if there’s any lingering fallout three months from now (election day–Nov. 5th).
The three finalists in this year’s Democratic veep stakes were/are each OUTSTANDING political picks, all with impressive backgrounds. More important, they possess strong personal character. Unlike both Republicans atop the ticket which reeks of negativity, prospective Democrat VP choices weren’t tarnished by scandals, politically-driven pretzel-like flip-flops, and extreme policy positions totally out of the American mainstream. This stems from past comments about “childless cat ladies” (nice going, JD–way to turn off cat lovers, childless people, and who knows how many swing voters) to practically adopting Saudi Arabia’s position on women’s reproductive freedom (Vance to raped women–carry that baby!). Vance should be doing Paul Anka’s cringeworthy, “You’re Having My Baby” at karaoke to a backscreen of far-right Falwells and Christian mullahs.
MARK KELLY
At first, I favored Sen. Mark Kelly because I thought he was the safest choice for Harris, with several strong policy upsides. His military background as a fighter pilot, and astronaut, is appealing. Moreover, Kelly’s personal ties to gun violence (his wife was nearly killed) makes him sympathetic to millions and would certainly have put the need for stronger gun laws back in play, that is, if a Harris-Kelly ticket were to have been nominated and won. The downside to Kelly’s ascension to the national stage would have been risking the loss of the Arizona Senate seat for Democrats, and given the batshit crazy nature of Arizona Republicans right now, we cannot take that chance. Losing that AZ seat might flip the Senate, which could produce a gauntlet of obstacles to a presumptive Harris Administration. So, while I preferred Kelly politically, the right decision may have been made to pass him by on the ticket if for no other reason than the Senate seat issue.
JOSH SHAPIRO
Gov. Josh Shapiro was the most interesting veep potential pick. I love Shapiro’s fiery demeanor. I also think he’d have destroyed Vance in a prospective debate and would be a bug up Trump’s ass for the next three months. The Jewish “thing” certainly came into play, with Harris’ people surmising his being on the ticket might jeopardize Michigan in the blue column. Never mind that Shapiro’s Middle East pronouncements are pretty much in line with Harris and most of the mainstream Democratic Party. It’s hard to alter perception, even with facts — which speaks volumes about the problems of politics and social media in America. I also fear Shaprio’s bookish professorial demeanor wouldn’t appeal to the rubes who want to vote for the “guy just like me.” I’ve never understood the mentality of voting for people “you want to have a beer with.” Me–I want to vote for people smarter, stronger, and better than myself. But hey….. ask John Mellencamp would sing, ‘aint that “Murica.” The wise decision was probably made here by leaving him off the ticket purely as a matter of pragmatism — after all, why take unnecessary risks especially riding the momentum train? The last thing Democrats want and need the the Gaza-Israel issue thrust back into the presidential race or giving any fuel to anti-Semites. One Final Thought: Gov. Shapiro is going to make a GREAT presidential candidate someday. At 51, he’s rising national star. I hope we see and hear much more from Shapiro in the years ahead–and I expect we will. If Harris-Walz lose in ’24, it’s Shapiro ’28 and I’m all-in.
TIM WALZ
Gov. Tim Walz has been touted as the guy who can go into the Alabama portions of Pennsylvania, the Mississippi parts of Michigan, and the North Dakota parts of Wisconsin, and appeal to those voters. All it takes is pulling a few would-be Republican voters over to the Harris side, and the “Blue Wall” becomes the impenetrable Harris Dam. Based on what I’ve seen, I think he’ll enjoy some success at doing that. Harris is already at a solid 48 percent and rising (which I think upticks to 50+ after the Democratic National Convention). If he can push the needle a point or two past 50 percent in PA, MI, and WI — this election will go blue and Trump will be fucked and finished forever. Look for Walz to press the flesh, play up the hunting thing (which I hate), hold lots of pigs at county fairs, and be “the guy you want to have a beer with.” Yeah, I loathe the fact this is what it takes to win a national election, but this is reality. To his credit, Gov. Walz is the real deal. And as they say–you can’t fake sincerity. Unlike some past Democrats who tried to *pretend* they were the-neighbor-next-door (John Kerry infamously going duck hunting on the eve of the election–massive idiot failure by Dems), Walz is genuine. Yet, unless you live in Minnesota, Walz is a new name to you (and me). But I totally get reason the pick was made. Democrats will stress some of Walz’s accomplishments as Gov. but no one is voting in the presidential race because of a veep’s past record as a governor. Walz does bring an “attack dog” mentality to a race sure to be loaded with thugs swinging switchblades. I suspect this is also a primary reason he was chosen….this guy can dish it out and punch the bully right across the jaw that spews so many lies. Walz speaks like a Midwesterner and won’t take any shit from anyone. I think many *undecided* Americans will like this genuineness, especially when contrasted with his opponent’s “weirdness.” I also believe he’s going to constantly mash Trump on the campaign trail and say what the majority of Americans really think about this toxic piece of garbage.
The correct pick was made here, and congratulations to Vice President Harris for a tough call and making a smart executive decision — and hopefully one of many more to come.