# 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:** 69
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1365 "2024-08-06T14:46:26Z")
She’s announced on Facebook. [![](https://i.imgur.com/ZyYC5uR.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ZyYC5uR.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1366 "2024-08-06T14:47:20Z")
I had never heard of Walz before last week but I get a good feeling from him. As I noted before, he checks a lot of the boxes I initially said the VP candidate should have: -under 65 -executive experience -male, straight, white, Christian If I was a Republican looking for a reason to vote for the Democratic ticket, I could look at this guy and say: -Born and raised in Nebraska -Went to college but not some fancy Ivy League and not a lawyer -Teacher and football coach -Volunteered for National Guard -Married to the same woman got over 30 years -Was a congressman for 12 years from a rural area of his state -Came back to the Midwest to be Governor -gun owner who hunts and used to have NRA endorsement If I didn’t know better, I would think he was Republican. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1367 "2024-08-06T14:53:22Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > Walz is my governor, and prior to that was my congressman (he succeeded Gil Gutnecht, a Republican, who served as an usher at our church - and when Gil wasn’t there, the usher was often the janitor from my work; take that as you will). > > Walz has a solid background in the Minnesota National Guard for 24 years, and was a social studies teacher at Mankato High School. One downside was how the George Floyd riots were handled; of course, Trump wanted him to send in the National Guard to squash it. I wrote this July 24 just as Walz’s name started being discussed. I’m very pleased to see this pick! ---
**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, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1368 "2024-08-06T14:59:50Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > I had never heard of Walz before last week but I get a good feeling from him. As I noted before, he checks a lot of the boxes I initially said the VP candidate should have: > -under 65 > -executive experience > -male, straight, white, Christian > > If I was a Republican looking for a reason to vote for the Democratic ticket, I could look at this guy and say: > > -Born and raised in Nebraska > -Went to college but not some fancy Ivy League and not a lawyer > -Teacher and football coach > -Volunteered for National Guard > -Married to the same woman got over 30 years > -Was a congressman for 12 years from a rural area of his state > -Came back to the Midwest to be Governor > -gun owner who hunts and used to have NRA endorsement > > If I didn’t know better, I would think he was Republican. Except for all his policies. The opposition is labeling him as “ultra-liberal” and they probably aren’t far off. If you are looking for someone to sway anti-Trump republicans this probably isn’t the guy. He was a pick to help with the base. He also appears to be a good man without any skeletons. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1369 "2024-08-06T15:06:45Z")
Trust me, I am aware of how progressive he is. That is one reason I am happy to have him. I am just pointing out that it is harder to “other” him than it would be for Shapiro or even for Harris. I may be wrong but I think that some Republicans looking for a reason to not vote Trump can look at him and think “How bad can he be? He’s just like me. He’s not one of those coastal elites.” Call it the Jon Testor factor., ---
**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, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1370 "2024-08-06T15:08:50Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Walz was interviewed on CNN Monday evening (July 22nd) and was introduced as a Vice-Presidential contender (though he shrugged it off). I really need to go find video of this appearance. Very “sly dog” on Walz’s part, in retrospect. EDIT: Not on CNN’s YouTube channel. Oh well – I’ll always have the memories. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1371 "2024-08-06T15:11:48Z")
Gonna tell my kids this was Tim Walz: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53906437390_d42215799a_z.jpg "Tim Walz Lebowski") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/53906437390/) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1372 "2024-08-06T15:13:33Z")
Seems like a reasonable choice. I can’t say I know much about him. He seems to have few disadvantages although the Republicans will reveal those soon enough. For now, I say, **far better to install a Walz than build a wall.** ---
**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, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1373 "2024-08-06T15:16:55Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > I can’t help but think of Kaine with him though I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. But even if it was I’m OK sith that. The issue was Clinton, a fairly uncharismatic white woman with an image as a career politician, chose a fairly uncharismatic white man with an image as career politician as running mate. Harris needed someone who looked like the image Midwestern swing voters have in their heads when they think “presidential” and Walz is exactly that. Harris does not look and sound like a Midwesterner expects their politicians to look or sound like, Walz could not look or sound more like a Midwesterner if he tried, and seems pretty charismatic to boot. This is Democrats being effective in a way I’ve never seen. ---
**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, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1374 "2024-08-06T15:22:40Z")
This Tweet sums up this pick for me: > ---
**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, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1375 "2024-08-06T15:23:16Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > > [@DSeid](#): > > > > I can’t help but think of Kaine with him though > > I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. But even if it was I’m OK sith that. The issue was Clinton, a fairly uncharismatic white woman with an image as a career politician, chose a fairly uncharismatic white man with an image as career politician as running mate. Harris needed someone who looked like the image Midwestern swing voters have in their heads when they think “presidential” and Walz is exactly that. > > This is Democrats being effective in a way I’ve never seen. Just seeing Walz speak a few times leaves me with a good impression. Kaine made no impression. Already Walz is a better choice. And in a debate I see him crushing CF Vance. ---
**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, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1376 "2024-08-06T15:27:11Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > This Tweet sums up this pick for me: > [x.com](https://x.com/PanasonicDX4500/status/1820817292428542068?t=zIi9FWm2RM-tLBJcJ1lrxw&s=19) Lies lies lies. The Twins are having an OK year. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1377 "2024-08-06T15:27:24Z")
I’m not getting the joke about the twins–help? NM: Baseball, lol. ---
**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, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1378 "2024-08-06T15:30:25Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > This Tweet sums up this pick for me: > > [x.com](https://x.com/PanasonicDX4500/status/1820817292428542068?t=zIi9FWm2RM-tLBJcJ1lrxw&s=19) Totally agree. From a “vibe” perspective, the Harris/Walz ticket is upbeat, optimistic, energetic, and down to earth. Even though he is an older white guy, I can totally see younger voters responding positively to Walz’ Midwestern Dad vibes, and flooding social media with how “wholesome” he is. It’s a great contrast to the vibe of the Trump/Vance ticket. This pick also insulates the ticket a bit from the “West Coast elitist” label. Walz is a great contrast to Harris in that way. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1379 "2024-08-06T15:30:47Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > And in a debate I see him crushing CF Vance. There’s currently no vice-presidential debate scheduled after the Biden and Trump campaigns blew up the schedule of debates proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1380 "2024-08-06T15:31:16Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > I’m not getting the joke about the twins–help? Reminds me of this great line from Tom Lehrer. _A considerable amount of commotion was stirred up during the past year over the prospect of a multilateral force, known to the headline writers as MLF. **Much of this discussion took place during the baseball season, so the Chronicle may not have covered it** , but it did get a certain amount of publicity; and the basic idea was that a bunch of us nations, the good guys, would get together on a joint nuclear deterrent force including our current friends, like France, and our traditional friends, like Germany._ ---
**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, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1381 "2024-08-06T15:34:57Z")
Also this sums it up pretty well. For once Democrats are on the right side of the “logical arguments” vs “vibes” fight: > Of course the GOP are going to point at all the progressive things he’s done and use them to argue he’s super left wing. But against that he looks and sounds like your jovial Midwestern uncle. Come on, this guy a radical commie? Just doesn’t feel right. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1382 "2024-08-06T15:36:49Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > I really need to go find video of this appearance. Very “sly dog” on Walz’s part, in retrospect. > > EDIT: Not on CNN’s YouTube channel. Oh well – I’ll always have the memories. > **[Harris VP hopeful Gov. Tim Walz: ‘It’s just a whole new vibe to the campaign’...](https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/28/politics/video/sotu-walz-full-interview)** > > Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tells CNN’s Jake Tapper “there’s a new burst of energy” in the campaign and says “I have not seen anything like this for 15 years.” ---
**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, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1383 "2024-08-06T15:38:22Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > And in a debate I see him crushing CF Vance. > > There’s currently no vice-presidential debate scheduled after the Biden and Trump campaigns blew up the schedule of debates proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The idea will certainly be floated. I’ll say it’s a 90% chance it happens. The possibility of it happening certainly went into the equation when he was picked. Trump can say he already debated using the rules Biden wanted. Vance has no real excuse to avoid a debate. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harris-vp-choice-as-she-is-the-official-presidential-nominee-of-the-democratic-party-for-2024/1004552/1384 "2024-08-06T15:39:50Z")
There’s certainly not going to be a VP debate before Trump agrees to debate Harris – which he is trying like hell to avoid. [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=68) [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=70)