# Harris VP choice as she is the official presidential nominee of the Democratic Party for 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** kamala-harris\ **Created:** [July 21, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552 "2024-07-21T19:06:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 68
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1345 "2024-08-06T13:50:53Z")
Please enjoy this very stupid joke. > ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1346 "2024-08-06T13:53:46Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > “Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard at the young age of 17, and retired 24 years later as Command Sergeant Major. Before retiring, Walz served overseas with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Walz is the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress.” > – [Congress.gov](http://Congress.gov) > > Clearly, they need to emphasize this more! Let’s hope they’re ready to go with a bunch of ads that highlight this. I love schoolteachers – really! – but, if he’s the pick, we need to leverage Walz’s military record, too. I’ve seen that quote several times and it annoys me that Congress dotgov completely forgets about Senator John Tower who served in the Navy from 1943 to 1989 and was a Master Chief Petty Officer. Both MCPO and CSM are E-9s. > [@flurb](#): > > Ultimately, for all the conversation about how different candidates would check different boxes, Walz meets the fundamental requirement of a Vice-Presidential nominee – do no harm. I agree. He seems solid. The worst thing about him is the big “Who?” that will come from a significant number of voters. I will admit I never heard of the guy before reading about him here. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1347 "2024-08-06T13:56:25Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > completely forgets about Senator John Tower The quote says “serve in Congress” which is ambiguous. Congress can refer to both legislative branches collectively, but “serve in Congress” frequently means “serve in the House” as distinguished from “serve in the Senate.” If the quote intends the latter distinction, then it’s fine. (Note that “Congressman” almost always means Representative and not Senator.) ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1348 "2024-08-06T13:57:04Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Please enjoy this very stupid joke. As a DS9 fan, I enjoyed it. It made my morning 😀. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1349 "2024-08-06T14:05:20Z")
Over in MAGA land there are claims Walz is guilty of stolen valor, with retorts that this has been debunked. I can’t seem to cut through the clutter to get the details- what was the accusation and was it valid (I assume not, since I can’t imagine the Harris campaign would take on a VP guilty of that) Anyone have the story? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1350 "2024-08-06T14:07:36Z")
So NPR is indicating it is official now. Time to remove appears from the title. > **[Harris taps Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate](https://www.npr.org/2024/08/06/nx-s1-5057604/tim-walz-harris-vice-president)** > > Supporters hope the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, ex-Army National Guard leader, former teacher and congressman can help Harris pick up support in the Midwest. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1351 "2024-08-06T14:09:07Z")
Can we just pause and reflect that 18 days ago Joe Biden was the Presidential candidate? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1352 "2024-08-06T14:10:18Z")
In another thread, like this one would be better. [President Biden Dropping Out of Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1353 "2024-08-06T14:11:35Z")
Some Republicans or their allies are bringing up the issue of Minnasota changing their state flag. Throw everything and see what sticks, I guess. > **[Gov. Tim Walz responds to Republican criticisms of new state flag](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/minnesota/news/gov-tim-walz-responds-to-republican-criticisms-of-new-state-flag/)** > > The controversy over the proposed new Minnesota state flag continues. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1354 "2024-08-06T14:12:12Z")
Thought the house would appreciate **[this peek behind the curtain of Walz in an unguarded moment](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-BI90EJB7j/?hl=en&img_index=2)**. From MN Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s Instagram page – the young lady in the photo is Flanagan’s daughter Siobhan. > **Flanagan, via Instagram:** > Since a lot of you are starting to learn more about Tim Walz, let me tell you what I like most about him. Tim Walz will tie your child’s shoe when she asks him for help, he’ll put syrup on her pancakes and cut them into bite sized pieces, and he’ll always greet her with the enthusiastic, “How ya doin’, sister?!” > > He’s a good man and I’m grateful to be his friend. EDIT: Oh, if you click on the left arrow on the pancake picture, you’ll see Walz tying Siobhan’s shoe 🥰 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1355 "2024-08-06T14:18:09Z")
Quoting the NYT: > [@ShadowFacts](#): > > Reactions from Republicans to the choice of Walz have quickly centered on him being too progressive, and on attacking him for the unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd in 2020. “Harris-Walz: most left-wing ticket in American history,” Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida said on X this morning. “Walz sat by and let Minneapolis burn.” Meatball Ron actively blocked efforts to prevent the spread of COVID in Florida while taking millions from a donor with ties to a company that makes treatments for people with COVID. He shipped asylum seekers from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard on false pretenses and using taxpayer money. He can sit tf down. And they pull the “MoSt LeFt-WiNg EvEr!” bullshit every election. > [@JKellyMap](#): > > Secretary of State Shapiro has a nice ring to it, though… Naah. Buttegieg would be awesome for that role. > [@OldOlds](#): > > Over in MAGA land there are claims Walz is guilty of stolen valor, with retorts that this has been debunked. Swiftboating already, I see. They never change. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1356 "2024-08-06T14:21:22Z")
Being in Minnesota I get to hear Walz speak a lot and he really does have a talent for it. Very little rhetoric, sticks to the point, fact based, direct. Watching the Trump/Biden debate where neither could finish a complete thought without meandering into something else I found myself thinking “lord, Walz could run circles around both these guys using half the words they use.” ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1357 "2024-08-06T14:22:25Z")
The Trumpists are pretty insistent Walz is a terrible pick, which means he’s a good pick. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1358 "2024-08-06T14:23:09Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Buttegieg would be awesome for that role. I totally agree that Buttigieg would make an excellent Secy of State (and that this would be another stepping stone toward the Presidency for him), but speculation about the rest of Harris’s prospective cabinet should probably go **[over here.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-presidential-election/1004571)** ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1359 "2024-08-06T14:23:42Z")
**Correct and thank you.** Click this tag link #kamala-harris for all the Kamala Harris threads. These are the major ones: - [Kamala Harris and the runup to the 2024 Presidential Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-presidential-election/1004571) - [Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Debate Controversy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279) - [Unexpected Enthusiasm for Harris?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-enthusiasm-for-harris/1004685) - [President Biden Dropping Out of Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540) ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1360 "2024-08-06T14:25:25Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The Trumpists are pretty insistent Walz is a terrible pick, which means he’s a good pick. I don’t know about that. They would be saying that about _any_ choice Harris made. it’s not like they are actually factually responding to perceived strengths or weaknesses. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1361 "2024-08-06T14:32:20Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > Over in MAGA land there are claims Walz is guilty of stolen valor, with retorts that this has been debunked. > > I can’t seem to cut through the clutter to get the details- what was the accusation and was it valid (I assume not, since I can’t imagine the Harris campaign would take on a VP guilty of that) > > Anyone have the story? I don’t know the story but it would behoove the Harris campaign to not overplay his military service. From everything I’ve seen he served honorably but he was a weekend warrior that never deployed while serving during wartime. There is a generation of combat vets that will look askew at that. As far as I can tell Walz himself never overplayed his service. One thing that I have heard is he wasn’t actually a Command Sergeant Major. From what I can gather there is truth in that but it’s not nefarious. The story I read is when he retired he had been promoted to CSM but then did not fulfill all the requirements before he retired. Specifically graduating from the Sergeant’s Major Academy. Therefore he retired at the next lowest rank, Master Sergeant. From what I understand he retired for medical reasons because of hearing loss. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1362 "2024-08-06T14:36:42Z")
He’s a fine pick. I can’t help but think of Kaine with him though. My fear is that now Harris is needing to more strongly tack to the middle herself. Not a bad thing in general but again, on some issues she really can’t, or at least strongly shouldn’t, do that. Fingers crossed. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1363 "2024-08-06T14:40:14Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Of course, the flip side of this “strategy” (which I have no reason to believe Harris actually used) is that Shapiro feels burned and makes less of an effort to get her elected in the most pivotal swing state in the country TBH being able to ignore that is what gives me the most hope. Firstly it’s not gonna happen, he’s a professional politician who understands how the game is played. If he feels that way I’m 100% sure he can suck it up and campaign just as hard as if he had been VP (maybe reserving his ire for a petty act of revenge in the future that won’t condemn us all to a fascist dictatorship as a side effect) Secondly when I say the Democrats have shown a lack of cunning in getting elected it’s not that they’ve been failing to get elected because they have been dogmatically sticking to their progressive ideals. Its they’ve failed this kind of thing where they have showed too much deference to an established Democratic figure, even at the cost of electability. That’s what gave us Clinton and Kerry. If they can be ruthless about that that gives me great joy. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1364 "2024-08-06T14:44:45Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > My preferred rejoinder would be, “What do you mean about the near-deification of all veterans, whether or not they ever saw combat? Are you dissing them as well?” My rejoinder would be to remind them that their own hero has been on record as saying that KIAs are losers. Anyway, BIG sigh of relief time this morning. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552.md?page=67) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552.md?page=69)