# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![DETXL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/detxl/32/19366_2.png) [@DETXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DETXL)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/101 "2024-08-07T08:51:58Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > But that’s not close to being as important as leaving his unit as they were preparing to go to war. Sincere question from someone who doesn’t remember everything about 2005 anymore and, more importantly, has always been a civilian: irrespective of the optics in 2024, how “accurate” of a summary is that of the contemporary situation? Walz retired in May, 2005. The 125th was mobilized in October and arrived in Iraq in April, 2006. I would have assumed that, as of when he retired, the Guard would have known about it some time beforehand—but maybe not, and maybe even if they had they did not have the time or ability to have his replacement prepared and on-hand as of May. Was it—or should it have been—clear in early 2005 that his unit was 1. going to be called up in six months and 2. going to be in Iraq within the year (that is—if it is a meaningful distinction—that, when they were mobilized for OEF in 2003–04, they spent that deployment supporting Air Force bases in Europe and not e.g. in Afghanistan)? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/102 "2024-08-07T08:52:04Z")
I see the descriptor “progressive” used a lot in the comments. Can someone explain what this means in terms of US politics, please? ---
**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 7, 2024, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/103 "2024-08-07T08:55:50Z")
The criticism of Walz’ (Walz’s?)military service isn’t new. Here’s an article from his run for Congress. > **[GOP opponent who never served criticizes Gov. Tim Walz's exit from National...](https://www.startribune.com/walzs-24-years-in-national-guard-get-renewed-scrutiny-from-gop-opponent-who-didnt-serve/600216280)** > > Supporters say the governor was a great soldier who was entitled to leave when he chose. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/104 "2024-08-07T09:40:10Z")
Liberal, especially culturally. In favor of policies that seek to help people who have suffered in some way due to entrenched societal injustices. “Ahead of the curve” in terms of things like LGBTQ rights, marijuana legalization, a nationalized option for health care, trying to slow down climate change, etc. Nowadays, basically means “on the left half of the Democratic Party”…which means, “on the most politically left quartile of the populace.” Disproportionately (though far from exclusively) younger voters. Many of them voted for Bernie Sanders (or Elizabeth Warren) eight years ago, and needed to be in some sense “catered to” for a Democrat to succeed nationally. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/105 "2024-08-07T09:44:18Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I see the descriptor “progressive” used a lot in the comments. Can someone explain what this means in terms of US politics, please? This isn’t really the thread to get into this, but in a very brief nutshell, objectively it refers to policies associated with the kinds of modern social democracies prevalent in civilized countries around the world, notably things like access to health care, social services, and guarantees of personal liberties. Specific to the context of US Republicans, however, “progressive” is basically a synonym for “traitorous communist”. So when Team Trump and their allies call Walz “progressive” and “radical”, this is what they’re trying to smear him with. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/106 "2024-08-07T09:46:48Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > “Ahead of the curve” in terms of things like LGBTQ rights I can see Walz now: “Yeah, you got a problem with those? Talk to me. Yeah you heard me. Talk to me. You got nothing, you chickenshit. Piss off!” ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/107 "2024-08-07T09:48:27Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > The criticism of Walz’ (Walz’s?)military service isn’t new. I would really prefer it if everyone used **Walz’s** (and **Harris’s** ), but Americans got this wrong so early it’s now embedded as acceptable in their grammar rules. Very annoying, makes me squirm. The sole apostrophe after an \_s is supposed to be for the plural s _only_, not just any \_s word or name. The only exceptions are Biblical names. Blah, I’m probably wasting my energy. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/108 "2024-08-07T10:03:45Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Blah, I’m probably wasting my energy. Dont’ beat your’self up. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/109 "2024-08-07T10:06:00Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I would really prefer it if everyone used **Walz’s** (and **Harris’s** ), but Americans got this wrong so early it’s now embedded as acceptable in their grammar rules. It’s been a while, but this Canadian uses the _Chicago Manual of Style_, and if I recall it correctly, an apostrophe, and nothing but, after a noun that ends in S, indicates a possessive. Thus, “Harris’ supporters,” is perfectly fine. “Trump’s supporters” is perfectly fine too. His name does not end in “s,” so the apostrophe is necessary. I used to teach this stuff at school. As another Doper said about me when we were discussing punctuation and grammar, “Fear this man.” You wanna nitpick punctuation and grammar? Bring it on. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/110 "2024-08-07T10:09:01Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Thus, “Harris’ supporters,” is perfectly fine. That’s why I said it’s become [acceptable](https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/what-happens-to-names-when-we-make-them-plural-or-possessive). Doesn’t make it right, though. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/111 "2024-08-07T10:09:58Z")
No, it’s right. Check your _Chicago Manual._ ---
**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 7, 2024, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/112 "2024-08-07T11:16:28Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Theirs not to make reply, > Theirs not to reason why, > Theirs but to do and die. > Into the valley of Death > Rode the six hundred. Somehow I never read that poem as an instruction manual. ---
**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 7, 2024, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/113 "2024-08-07T11:21:10Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I would really prefer it if everyone used **Walz’s** (and **Harris’s** ), but Americans got this wrong so early it’s now embedded as acceptable in their grammar rules. Very annoying, makes me squirm. Seen on the interwebs (quoted from memory): > [@](#): > > The possession of Walz is Walz’s. > The possession of Harris is Harris’s. > The possession of Thiel is Vance. ---
**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 7, 2024, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/114 "2024-08-07T11:22:28Z")
**Moderating:** Drop the grammar discussion please. * * * * * * **If you are responding to something in a thread that is basically off-topic or likely to lead to a hijack, try this:** How to **Reply as a linked Topic** : Click Reply, in the upper left corner of the reply window is the reply type button, _looks like a curving arrow point to the right_. Choose **Reply as linked topic** and it starts a new thread. As an example, you can choose GD, IMHO or The Pit for it. That is actually the best method. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/115 "2024-08-07T11:28:39Z")
There are a lot of reasons people retire from these positions. Military service became more difficult the older one gets. I was in the military but only for a short time. Not going to judge someone’s choices in this area. ---
**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 7, 2024, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/116 "2024-08-07T11:33:51Z")
I have read that hearing loss was cited as one of the reasons for Walz retiring, and that he has had corrective surgery (stapes replacement, I think) to mitigate it. Obviously I have no idea how much of his decision was based on hearing loss vs a desire not to deploy. On the other hand, the Trump-supporting right really might not want to raise the issue of avoiding service in wartime due to a minor injury… ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/117 "2024-08-07T11:59:36Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I have read that hearing loss was cited as one of the reasons for Walz retiring, and that he has had corrective surgery (stapes replacement, I think) to mitigate it. Is that possible? The stapes is one of the smallest bones in the body, and to replace it would take a lot. I’d like to see a cite for this. Not necessarily from @Gyrate, but from anyone who is in the know. ---
**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 7, 2024, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/118 "2024-08-07T12:07:16Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Is that possible? The stapes is one of the smallest bones in the body, and to replace it would take a lot. > > I’d like to see a cite for this. Not necessarily from @Gyrate, but from anyone who is in the know. I don’t know about the stapes, but from [WaPo](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/08/06/tim-walz-drunk-driving-teacher/): > [@](#): > > Walz suffered hearing loss during his time in a field artillery regiment in the National Guard, a condition for which he underwent surgery in 2005. Googling “Walz Stapes” and the like isn’t turning anything relevant up, though. ---
**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 7, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/119 "2024-08-07T12:26:54Z")
Try this article: > **['Citizen soldier' Walz honed leadership in uniform](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/10/03/tim-walz-national-guard-career-minnesota-governor-race)** > > Democrat Tim Walz's 24-year military career is a central part of his background and style as he runs for Minnesota governor. > [@](#): > > In late 2002, he was ordered to appear before a medical retention board about the hearing impairment. After waiting for a decision for months, he was given clearance to serve out the remaining years of his final six-year enlistment. > > Medical records show that in 2005 Walz underwent stapedectomy surgery, a procedure in which damaged bones inside the ear are replaced with a prosthesis. He said it has improved his hearing. So apparently it’s a real thing. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352/120 "2024-08-07T12:48:12Z")
That article makes it sound like he was not allowed to continue serving after that enlistment was up? Does that affect the criticism that he left rather than deploy? Would he have been allowed to deploy if he had a hearing impairment and a clear end-date to his service? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harriss-choice-of-tim-walz-as-vp/1005352.md?page=7)