The truth is finally coming out. We now know what Harris’s true intentions were when selecting a VP pick.
And Tim Walz has revealed the real reason why he was picked to be Kamala’s running mate during a bombshell interview.
At a Harvard Kennedy School forum on Monday night, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the former vice presidential nominee, took the stage as part of his ongoing “listening tour” across the nation. Walz firmly dismissed any speculation about a 2028 presidential run while offering insights into why Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate in 2024.
Walz revealed that Harris valued his ability to connect with a specific demographic, noting, “I could code talk to White guys watching football, fixing their truck” and “put them at ease.” Positioning himself as a bridge to rural White men, Walz described his role as a “permission structure” for these voters to consider supporting Democrats. His approachable, everyman persona, he argued, could help the party resonate with communities often overlooked by its campaigns.
When pressed by moderator Brittany Shepherd, an ABC News national political reporter, about why he didn’t amplify this message on cable news to reach more viewers, Walz quipped, “I think I’ll give you pretty good stuff, but I’ll also give you 10% problematic.” Laughing off past campaign trail gaffes, he embraced his self-described “knucklehead” nature, shrugging at inconsistencies in his background that drew scrutiny in 2024.
A Collective Vision for 2028
Walz, who earlier this month told CNN’s Jake Tapper he was eyeing a third term as Minnesota governor, doubled down on his reluctance to pursue the presidency. Instead, he proposed an unconventional strategy for Democrats in 2028: a unified campaign without a single candidate at the forefront.
“I think we need to collectively run a presidential campaign without a candidate right now that builds all the infrastructure… by the time we get to 2028, we’re ready,” he explained. This approach, he suggested, would prioritize grassroots momentum and party cohesion over individual ambition.
Reflecting on the Democrats’ 2024 defeat, Walz was blunt: “We would have won.” He acknowledged the party’s shortfall in November, pointing to a failure to engage voters through diverse media platforms. “There is room for Gavin Newsom’s podcast, and there is room for Bernie Sanders’ rallies,” Walz said, emphasizing the need for Democrats to seize every opportunity—whether through unscripted podcasts or high-energy rallies—to shape their narrative.
Learning from 2024’s Missteps
Walz’s call for a robust media presence comes amid criticism that Democrats underutilized new media in 2024. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 contender, has leaned into this lesson with his new podcast, inviting conservative figures like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon to foster open dialogue. Newsom’s approach, which he described as embracing “criticism and debate without demeaning or dehumanizing one another,” aims to counter perceptions that Democrats shy away from tough conversations.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both eyeing 2028, have taken a different tack, drawing large crowds on their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
Walz, too, has been hitting the road, hosting town halls in Republican-leaning districts. But his tour hasn’t been without hiccups. Veterans heckled him at the Minnesota Capitol over “stolen valor” allegations, and a Wisconsin town hall drew controversy when a woman claimed she was removed for filming Trump supporters being ejected. At another event, Walz faced backlash from Republicans for comments celebrating Tesla’s stock dip during a wave of vandalism.
Navigating Criticism and Caricatures
Perhaps the most persistent thorn in Walz’s side is the “Tampon Tim” moniker, coined by conservatives after he signed a bill providing free menstrual products to “all menstruating students” in Minnesota schools, including boys’ restrooms. The nickname has fueled relentless conservative attacks, from mocking his claim that he could “fight most Trump supporters” to broader critiques of his progressive policies. But Walz tries to stay on point to what his party is trying to relay to voters.
He claims that Democrats can win on “competency,” but “we lose the message, and we lose power.” He lamented the party’s struggle to connect with voters who no longer see Democrats as champions of personal freedoms, middle-class values, or labor rights. “How did we get to a point where people didn’t feel like this was an important enough election to get out and vote?” he asked, urging his party to reclaim its identity.”
A Warning for the Future
Walz’s speech came just before President Donald Trump’s first 100-day celebration, and he issued a stark warning to Democrats: “If you leave a void, Donald Trump will fill it.” Painting a grim picture of the current administration, he added, “If I ever had 100 days to live, I would spend it in the Trump administration because it’s like a lifetime.” With 550 days until the midterms, Walz framed the coming years as a critical test for the party’s resilience.
But with sinking approval ratings, the Democrat Party has a long way to go if they even want to be remotely competitive with Republicans. Walz can bash Trump all he wants, but he’s also responsible for why Democrats are so unlikeable.
Stay tune to The Federalist Wire.
