Kamala Harris made a big announcement on Tuesday by naming Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, as her running mate. We reached out to eight of our columnists and contributors to get their take on this decision. They were asked to rate Mr. Walz based on how much he will help Ms. Harris against Donald Trump and how much enthusiasm he will generate.
Josh Barro, who writes the newsletter Very Serious, expressed his excitement about Tim Walz. He mentioned that Walz is great on television and his background as a high school teacher and football coach from the rural Midwest will provide a strong contrast to the Republican ticket. Barro believes that Walz will not turn away any voters who are considering Kamala Harris.
Charles M. Blow, a columnist for The Times, highlighted Walz’s ability to make the word “weird” a powerful attack line against the current conservative movement. He described Walz as affable and relatable, bringing a plain-talking, labor-friendly, Midwestern appeal to the ticket, similar to Joe Biden 20 years ago.
Jane Coaston, a contributing Opinion writer, humorously mentioned the excitement of having a defensive coordinator like Walz on the campaign trail and in the White House. She is looking forward to seeing how the 4-4 will work at a national level.
Gail Collins, a columnist for The Times, appreciated Walz’s background as a teacher and football coach.
Michelle Cottle, a political writer for Opinion, praised Walz for his ability to connect with regular folks. She noted that he looks comfortable rocking a camo baseball cap and a grubby T-shirt, making him relatable to many people. Additionally, Cottle mentioned that Walz knows how to play the attack-dog role without being overly aggressive.
Liam Donovan, a Republican strategist, highlighted Walz’s affable character and charm that comes from his background as a career teacher and coach. He noted that Walz’s unique path to the governor’s mansion sets him apart from other politicians who are often seen as elites or strivers. Donovan also mentioned that the pairing of Walz and Harris provides cultural and optical balance to the ticket.
Overall, the responses to Tim Walz as Kamala Harris’s running mate have been positive, with many praising his relatability, background, and ability to connect with voters. His unique qualities and experience seem to have struck a chord with the columnists and contributors who shared their thoughts on this announcement.
