Kamala Harris’s decision to pick Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate in the 2024 election was based on several key factors, but it is not without potential drawbacks.
Why Harris Picked Walz:
- Experience and Electability: Walz brought a strong record of governance from Minnesota, where he has been recognized for his accomplishments in areas like reproductive health access, paid leave, and child tax credits. His biography—a former teacher, coach, veteran, and congressman from a Republican-leaning district—added to his appeal as someone who could resonate with voters, especially in key battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania
Non-divisive Choice: Walz was seen as a non-divisive candidate within the Democratic Party, appealing to both progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and centrists such as Joe Manchin
His relatively neutral stance on contentious issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict allowed Harris to avoid backlash that might have come from choosing a more polarizing figure like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Personal Chemistry: Harris reportedly had good personal rapport with Walz, which was a key factor in her decision. Unlike Shapiro, whose interview with Harris reportedly did not go well, Walz clicked with Harris on a personal level
Why She Might Regret It:
- Strategic Missed Opportunity: Minnesota is a reliably Democratic state in presidential elections, while Pennsylvania is a critical swing state. By bypassing Shapiro, who holds a high approval rating in Pennsylvania and outperformed Democratic baselines in previous elections, Harris may have missed an opportunity to shore up crucial support in a must-win state
Online Campaign Focus: Walz’s rise in Harris’s consideration was partly driven by his success in online messaging, such as popularizing the term “weird” to describe Republicans like Donald Trump and JD Vance. While effective in the digital sphere, there is concern that Harris’s campaign might be overly reliant on social media engagement, potentially missing the broader electoral picture
In summary, while Walz brings experience and appeal across different Democratic factions, the decision to choose him over a potentially stronger candidate in a key swing state like Pennsylvania could prove to be a misstep as the campaign unfolds.