The second guessing has already begun about Vice President Harris’s choice for her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Walz, by all accounts is a down-to-earth, midwestern guy who taught school, was in the National Guard, served in the House of Representatives, owns guns and hunts, and supports a woman’s right to choose. The choice has already been lauded by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez AND Sen. Joe Manchin who rarely agree on anything. However, various pundits and talking heads will now engage in the armchair quarterbacking over whether or not Walz was the best choice.
There are those who are arguing that Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro, would have been the better choice given the ‘must win’ nature of that state. However, before people start slinging arrows at Harris for her choice of Walz over Shapiro, it is important to step back and look at the big picture. The choice of Shapiro would not have been without some risk. The simple fact is, Shapiro is Jewish and, given the volatile environment that continues to fester between Israel and Hamas and the ongoing human suffering in Gaza, Shapiro would have ripped open the scab of that wound and made it front and center for attacks by Trump and Republicans.
That’s just a fact. I have a great deal of respect for Shapiro and think he is doing an excellent job. He is certainly a rising star in the Democratic party, and I suspect he will one day launch his own bid for the White House. But what Harris does not need in a partner right now is someone who will be looking out for their own personal political future down the road rather than focusing on being happy in the number two slot. She also doesn’t need someone who will become a lightening rod for a major polarizing campaign issue.
Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona was also a finalist, and I have the utmost respect for him as well. However, there were times when Kelly did not always agree with the Biden administration with respect to border policies and given that immigration is the big issue for Trump and the Republicans, it would have been like handing them ammunition.
If Shapiro can deliver Pennsylvania for Harris, it will only help his future political ambitions. The same is true for Kelly in Arizona. I would not be surprised to see either or both Shapiro and Kelly find their way into Cabinet positions if Harris wins. However, right now, Harris needs someone like Walz who has no aspirations of his own to live in the White House and who will be a solid number two just like Johnny Carson needed Ed McMahon!
Past elections are littered with VP picks who were made solely for political reasons when there was little or no chemistry between the presidential nominee and his VP. Think of Sarah Palin. Think Dan Quayle. Think Mike Pence. It seems like picking someone solely for checking a political box is not always a winning strategy. The simple fact is, after you win the election, you still must govern and if you don’t like or can’t trust your VP, it will make for a tough four years. Or, if your VP is secretly eyeing your job in four years, it could create a lot of unnecessary palace intrigue.
Trump and Vance always try to make the argument they are fighting for the ‘common man,’ but their backgrounds make that a hollow argument. Tim Walz, by all accounts, is a ‘common man’ and should help to blow a hole through the myth that Trump and Vance continue to try to push. And the fact that AOC and Joe Manchin both support this choice says a lot about Walz’ ability to appeal to a wide spectrum of the electorate which is exactly what Harris needs. She doesn’t need a polarizing figure. She needs someone relatable and I think she found that in Tim Walz.
Trump chose V.D. Vance from a bench of mostly junior varsity players. Harris chose Walz from a deep bench of accomplished varsity starters. Despite what the pundits might say, Harris’ choice of Walz will ultimately prove to be far smarter than Trump’s choice of Vance.
