Kamala Harris, Tim Walz Hold First Rally Together
Facts
- 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her vice presidential running mate Tim Walz held their first joint campaign event Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, Pa. This came the same day Harris publicly announced the Minnesota governor would be on her ticket.[1]
- At the rally, Harris said she chose Walz because he's a 'leader who will help unite our nation' and a 'fighter for the middle class.' She cited his past career as a teacher and a coach as reasons for her choice.[2]
- She further touted Walz's legislative record, particularly regarding a voting rights bill that he passed while governor. When Walz took the microphone, he discussed his childhood, his time in the military, and his two decades spent teaching social studies.[3]
- While Walz mentioned his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy treatment, Harris praised her running mate for defending abortion rights.[3]
- Walz also took shots at his Republican counterpart, VP candidate J.D. Vance, whom he accused of being 'creepy' and having 'trashed' his hometown in his book 'Hillbilly Elegy.'[4]
- While direct Vance vs Walz polls have yet to be conducted, a recent Marist poll showed Vance possessed higher name recognition, but Walz held higher favorability. Harris reportedly chose Walz to appeal to midwestern voters, though Minnesota is perceived as relatively liberal in the region.[5]
Sources: [1]NBC, [2]Wsj, [3]CBS, [4]New York Post and [5]Newsweek.
Narratives
- Democratic narrative, as provided by MinnPost. Walz's background is impeccable, having started in a small town in Nebraska before becoming a teacher and serving in both the military and Congress. He's also a two-term governor whose midwestern background pairs perfectly with the diverse campaign America is looking for. While Vance tries to label Walz as an extreme liberal, it's important to note that Walz represented a conservative district in Congress, meaning he knows how to speak to red and blue America.