On Politics special edition: Tim Walz is the veep’s pick for veep

Many Democrats see Tim Walz as the hottest Minnesota export since Scotch tape.

View in browser|nytimes.com August 6, 2024 Good morning, nice to see you on this side of the day! I'm here to guide you through the morning's big news. I'll be back this evening. Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota is Vice President Kamala Harris's pick to be her running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket. Jenn Ackerman for The New York Times Tim Walz is the veep's pick for veep By Jess Bidgood Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to join her on the Democratic ticket, ending her speedy search for a running mate by elevating the folksy Midwesterner who turned the word "weird" into the signature political attack of the summer. Walz is not terribly well-known across the country. He does not represent a critical swing state. But, as far as many Democrats are concerned, his rural background, liberal leanings and merry sense of humor have turned him into the hottest Minnesota export since Scotch tape. In choosing Walz, Harris has calculated that, in a hypersonic political campaign, Democrats need fellow feeling — and fun! — more than they need a conventional political advantage. Walz, perhaps more than any other contender on Harris's shortlist, was the vibes pick for a vibes election. A former high-school teacher and football coach, Walz is beloved by Democrats for backing policies like paid family leave. He has delighted his party in recent weeks with the simple suggestion that one reason voters should reject Trump and other Republicans is that they are just "weird." And, even though Minnesota has not backed a Republican for president since Richard Nixon in 1972, Democrats are hoping his regional appeal will help them lock down Midwestern states like Wisconsin and Michigan, which are seen as crucial to a Harris victory. Before he became governor, Walz represented a rural swath of southern Minnesota in Congress for 12 years, which means he has experience winning over conservative voters who have not been as crucial to Harris's political ascent. "In Governor Walz, Democrats get the left's full policy agenda from someone who often looks like he just climbed down from his deer stand," former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told my colleague, Reid Epstein. Walz's liberal record, however, is likely to open him up to attacks from Republicans, who have already berated him for his handling of the violent protests that followed the murder of George Floyd by police officers in the summer of 2020. On Tuesday morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, a Republican, called the ticket the "most left-wing" in American history. Walz will make his debut as running mate this evening in Philadelphia. I'll be back then! Read more about Harris's choice. Why Harris chose Walz My colleague Katie Rogers spoke with three people familiar with Harris's decision-making. Here's why they said she picked him. He is seen as an Everyman figure whose Midwestern-dad vibe balances out her Bay Area background. Walz is thought to be someone who could match up well against Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Donald Trump's running mate — and another Midwesterner — in a debate. In the end, Harris simply connected best with Walz. Over and over again during the selection process, loyalty was emphasized as one of the most important criteria for her. Read more updates here. Gov. Tim Walz, left, toured flooded areas in southern Minnesota in June. Jenn Ackerman for The New York Times Did you know… … that Walz got involved in politics after being barred from a rally for George W. Bush? … that he used to have an A rating from the National Rifle Association, before renouncing the group's support? … that he coached the 1999 Minnesota football state champions? My colleagues Simon Levien and Maggie Astor have compiled some serious and not-so-serious facts about Walz. Educate yourself! MORE POLITICS NEWS AND ANALYSIS Eric Lee/The New York Times Where Tim Walz Stands on the Issues As governor of Minnesota, he has enacted policies to secure abortion protections, provide free meals for schoolchildren, allow recreational marijuana and set renewable energy goals. By Maggie Astor Andrea Ellen Reed for The New York Times Who Is Tim Walz, the Minnesota Governor Kamala Harris Picked to Be V.P.? Mr. Walz captured Democrats' attention with his "weird" takedown of Republicans. Here's a look at the new vice-presidential candidate. By Neil Vigdor Doug Mills/The New York Times Trump and His Allies Seize on Market Downturn to Attack Harris Economists blamed a variety of factors for Monday's slide. But Donald Trump was trying to disrupt weeks of momentum for Vice President Kamala Harris and her party. By Jim Tankersley, Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman Erin Schaff/The New York Times Harris Officially Secures Democratic Party's Nomination for President The vice president won 99 percent of participating delegates in an unusual, virtual roll call vote that concluded Monday, the party said. By Nicholas Nehamas Read past editions of the newsletter here. If you're enjoying what you're reading, please consider recommending it to others. They can sign up here. Have feedback? Ideas for coverage? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com. Try four weeks of complimentary access to The Tilt Nate Cohn, The Times's chief political analyst, makes sense of the latest political data. Get it in your inbox Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for On Politics from The New York Times. To stop receiving On Politics, unsubscribe. 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