Kamala Harris Selects Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Running Mate

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Facts

• 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her vice presidential running mate on Tuesday. The duo will take on GOP nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.^[1]
• Harris said her decision was influenced by Walz's 'convictions on fighting for middle class families,' as well as his 'deep commitment to his family.' Walz is also popular among Democrats for his affirmative stance on abortion, gun control, and child tax credits.^[2][3]
• Walz, 60, who was a teacher and member of the Army National Guard, began his political career in 2006 as a Congressman representing a rural Minnesotan constituency until 2019, when he successfully ran for governor and was reelected in 2022.^[4]
• Harris reportedly interviewed three finalists for the vice presidential pick this Sunday at her residence: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Walz. By Monday, the list had narrowed to Shapiro and Walz, Reuters reported.^[5]
• Harris and Walz will have their first rally Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, kicking off a campaign tour in states that will include events in Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. Walz's national profile was raised significantly in recent weeks through his public critiques of the GOP.^[6][7]
• Vance said that he called Walz to congratulate him while criticizing the Harris-Walz ticket.^[8][9]

Sources: ^[1]Wsj, ^[2]Instagram, ^[3]X, ^[4]CBS, ^[5]Verity, ^[6]The Hill (a), ^[7]Ft, ^[8]The Hill (b) and ^[9]FOX News.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by The New Republic. Harris made a tremendous choice, as Tim Walz has proven himself to be an effective and energetic communicator who isn't afraid to stand up to the Trump Republicans. What's more, he is a veteran from a working-class background who has a reputation for bipartisanship and fighting for Middle America. Walz draws a sharp contrast with the doom-and-gloom GOP, and will help the Democrats cross the finish line in November.
• Republican narrative, as provided by FOX News. While Tim Walz purports to be an average Joe, he really supports a radical progressive agenda that most Americans will turn their backs on. As governor, Walz allowed riots to ravage his state unabated in 2020 and instituted draconian COVID restrictions. He also isn't from a swing state, which means Harris' decision to bypass Pennsylvania's Shapiro was likely to appease anti-Israel radicals in the Democratic Party.
• Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Wire. While Tim Walz purports to be an average Joe, he really supports a radical progressive agenda that most Americans will turn their backs on. As governor, Walz allowed riots to ravage his state unabated in 2020 and instituted draconian COVID restrictions. He also isn't from a swing state, which means Harris' decision to bypass Pennsylvania's Shapiro was likely to appease anti-Israel radicals in the Democratic Party.

Predictions