# Kamala Harris's choice of Tim Walz as VP **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** kamala-harris\ **Created:** [August 6, 2024, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352 "2024-08-06T21:19:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/403 "2024-08-16T21:47:37Z")
He’s also finding common ground with the kind of xenophobes who normally distrust Democrats. “Hey, look! That guy hates ethnic stuff just like I do!” ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/404 "2024-08-16T21:47:44Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Some people will be offended by his comment or will be swayed by the R’s making hay over it. There’s nothing to be gained by saying “white guy tacos” and there’s the potential to lose voters Nah. The “gain” is playing up the Minnesota Guy persona that’s currently helping him have a +favorability. The people complaining would be complaining regardless. Hilariously, I saw people complaining that he previously posted a recipe for “Turkey Tot Tacos” that had some stock taco seasoning included so he’s totally faking his taco preferences. Like I said, they’d just find something else to complain about. It’s this cycle’s “OMG Obama eats arugula, he’s such an elitist who could never understand your problems!” It’s just election cycle noise that doesn’t move the needle for anyone. The sort of person who would actually base their choice of vote on “Candidate eats X!” is the sort who doesn’t actually go to the polls anyway. Amusingly (to me, anyway) the Mexican joints around here commonly sell (real) tacos (seasoned chunks of meat, cilantro and onion) or “American Tacos” (ground beef, cheese, lettuce, sour cream). So “White Guy Tacos” is already an actual thing even if the taco joints don’t actually SAY “Gringo tacos”. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/405 "2024-08-16T22:03:15Z")
My point is that they shouldn’t use race for throwaway comments like this. Race-based comments will be lightning rods no matter what. Throwaway comments don’t need these kinds of lightning rods. He could have said “Midwest taco guy” or something. If he’s going to talk about race, it should be more around real problems like racism. The same with gender or sexuality. I think it would be a mistake for him to jokingly say he “Dances like a straight guy”. Just stay away from those kinds of comments unless they are actually relevant to the social issues around them. I think it’s a mistake to use stereotypes around race, gender, or sexuality because those comments can be easily misunderstood or misconstrued. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/406 "2024-08-16T22:04:06Z")
If he becomes overly scripted, and afraid to step on his tongue, then he might lose the “Walz-ness” that has been so endearing. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/407 "2024-08-16T22:04:58Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Amusingly (to me, anyway) the Mexican joints around here commonly sell (real) tacos (seasoned chunks of meat, cilantro and onion) or “American Tacos” (ground beef, cheese, lettuce, sour cream). So “White Guy Tacos” is already an actual thing even if the taco joints don’t actually SAY “Gringo tacos”. The menu at an Indian place I used to go to had “hot” and “white guy hot” as available spice levels. “White guy hot” was still too hot for this white guy. “Hot” could be used to cut steel girders. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/408 "2024-08-16T22:04:59Z")
I believe he made it clear when he said black pepper is the top of the spice range. ---
**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 16, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/409 "2024-08-16T22:06:38Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > The same with gender or sexuality. I think it would be a mistake for him to jokingly say he “Dances like a straight guy”. I think that would be fine. And I don’t have a double standard. If Vance said the same thing I would defend it. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/410 "2024-08-16T22:12:58Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I think that would be fine. And I don’t have a double standard. If Vance said the same thing I would defend it. But if he doesn’t say it in the first place, there’s nothing to defend. Any comments which have race, gender, or sexuality will open themselves up to needing to be defended. Those are always going to be hot button topics. Unless it’s obvious that the comment will gain voters, don’t say it. And it should gain more voters than a comment without those hot topics. For instance, does “White guy tacos” gain more voters over “Midwest guy tacos” to make it worth the effort to defend? If so, then fine. Otherwise, find some other way to say it. ---
**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 16, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/411 "2024-08-16T22:15:04Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > But if he doesn’t say it in the first place, there’s nothing to defend. Any comments which have race, gender, or sexuality will open themselves up to needing to be defended. I get your point. But people trying to be careful when they talk end up sounding really fake. I’d prefer Walz stay relaxed and real. I think there’s more votes that way. He’s likable and these comments are not offensive to rational people (I know, we need a majority) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/412 "2024-08-16T22:16:18Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > For instance, does “White guy tacos” gain more voters over “Midwest guy tacos” to make it worth the effort to defend? If so, then fine. Otherwise, find some other way to say it. The difference is probably so minimal that it’s not worth the effort to try to censor. This is the sort of nonsense that only weirdos living in political forums and political Twitter spend time worrying about. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/413 "2024-08-16T22:19:19Z")
Too many male Hispanic voters like Trump. Ive been a white lady teaching majority Hispanic boyvpopulations (like, literally 60% of my students are Hispanic males) and i will tell you from decades of personal experience that a little self-deprecating “well, shucks, as a white person” humor is the absolute best strategy to gain their trust. They don’t trust “colorblind” teachers, or teachers who dont recognize their own privilege. Teachers like that are presenting themselves (white people) as “normal”. Acknowledging “white” as a cultural varient, not the norm, is super, super powerful. I make a “white people spicey” joke every year. I make lots of “white people” jokes about innocuous things. And it works. So there are your votes. Hispanic men in Florida, Nevada, or Arizona who vaguely admire Trump’s wealth or position on abortion, but don’t identify with either candidate. Now Walz is a funny guy who gets it. That’s important. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/414 "2024-08-16T22:26:24Z")
Yeah, I was thinking something along the same lines. “Democrats are humorless scolds on race issues,” is a common line of attack against Dems. Walz making “white guy” jokes helps disarm that. Also, it tempts Republicans to make ill-advised, “If Walz can say ‘white guy tacos,’ how come I can’t use the n-word?” arguments, which only hurt them with independents. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/415 "2024-08-16T22:44:48Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Amusingly (to me, anyway) the Mexican joints around here commonly sell (real) tacos (seasoned chunks of meat, cilantro and onion) or “American Tacos” (ground beef, cheese, lettuce, sour cream). So “White Guy Tacos” is already an actual thing even if the taco joints don’t actually SAY “Gringo tacos”. I noticed that when I was in Chicago earlier this year and had a craving for Mexican food. I settled on a carne asada burrito that for some reason had lettuce and tomato in it and where black pepper was the main flavor I could taste from the meat. It hit the spot, but I’ve never encountered a burrito like that outside of like Taco Bell. Anyway, heaven forbid a Republican were ever to make a crack about liking white people Mexican food, right? Oh, wait… > ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/416 "2024-08-16T22:57:59Z")
That pic is so creepy. It looks like he’s manically eating … something inappropriate like puppies and kittens? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/417 "2024-08-16T22:59:05Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > That pic is so creepy. That’s what passes for a smile, for him. I’ve seen that same expression on a fair number of photos taken of him when he’s posing with other people at photo ops. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/418 "2024-08-16T23:00:09Z")
Just a cold trickle down the spine, that is. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/419 "2024-08-16T23:25:18Z")
If the Far Left isn’t apoplectic over that Walz comment, I think we’re good. Though I absolutely take @filmore 's point. Harris/Walz also need to be ready with the ‘double standard’ accusation _whenever_ either of them says something that results in performative outrage from the Trump camp. Trump’s the worst human being to ever hold that office, yet his hall pass was as omnipotent as it was hypocritical. Evangelicals? Hello?? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/420 "2024-08-16T23:27:25Z")
I know we’re not supposed to fill these threads with stupid jokes, but here’s an extra-stupid joke: [https://wapo.st/4dpq94F](https://wapo.st/4dpq94F) > [@](#): > > House Republicans on Friday launched an investigation into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s connections to China, turning their scrutiny from President [Joe Biden](https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/candidates/joe-biden-2024/?itid=lk_inline_manual_2) to Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate after the sudden change in the 2024 Democratic ticket last month. Yes, Comer. The guy who’s spent the last couple decades excoriating the CCP’s human rights record is a secret commie spy. Your work isn’t political hackmanship at all. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/421 "2024-08-16T23:45:46Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Harris/Walz also need to be ready with the ‘double standard’ accusation _whenever_ either of them says something that results in performative outrage from the Trump camp. The proper response to accusations like this is “Ha ha ha ha ha!” Don’t engage, don’t explain why it’s ok or how it’s a double standard. Just laugh and move on. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/422 "2024-08-16T23:56:19Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > The guy who’s spent the last couple decades excoriating the CCP’s human rights record is a secret commie spy. And their basis for this investigation is that… drumroll please… he honeymooned in China when he got married. In 1994. I didn’t realize the Chinese government was in the habit of secretly radicalizing random-ass Americans on vacation just in case they run for Vice President 30 years from now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352.md?page=22)