Harris picks Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate
Harris picks Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate
Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, capping the Midwestern Democrat’s short but swift ascent from a relative unknown to a leading driver of the party’s attacks on Donald Trump and the MAGA agenda.
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Yeah! I was so worried she'd tank her momentum by picking Shapiro and ham-handedly presenting it. I continue to be impressed with the Harris team's ability to both politic and stay tapped into the people's sentiments.
Except they missed the part where we need someone young instead of a geezer...
He is one year older than her.
When you're an edgy teenager on lemmy, anyone older than 22 is a geezer.
Exactly... he's a geezer. She needed to go with someone younger. If we assume she wins (twice), then Walz will be close to 70 before it is 'his turn'. What a waste. If Dems had gone with someone younger then they could keep the momentum of the youth support AND they'd have someone ready to take over when Harris is done. Now, they'll have to start over in 8 years.
I read that he doesn't want to take his shot at the White House. If Harris wins the election he plans to retire after her second term. She didn't want a veep who saw her as a stepping stone to the Oval Office.
Whether that is wise we will figure out on 2028 (hopefully) but if it's true it provides some context.
I don't necessarily think that the VP spot being a lead-up to a presidential run should be one of the top considerations right now. We need to win this race, 2028 and 2032 can wait their turn.
Beyond that critique, there's a lot the Harris-Walz ticket can do to line up future Dem candidates for many races. For one, this is a big leftward shift for the Dems. That opens up the board for the Squad to make a run in the future. That opens up a path for other, more progressive candidates to fill other positions. We have no idea what the Harris cabinet will look like and a strong cabinet position is also an excellent prelude to a presidential campaign.
Plus, I don't want to get my hopes too high here and indulge in fantasy, but look at what this is doing to Republicans. What if that party shatters post-Trump? Maybe in two: a returning center-right party and an actual fascist party? If the Republicans try to retake the center, that could drive the Dems further left longterm.
tldr, a Harris presidency could go many ways, and I'm not ready to be a pessimist yet! I think this is a good thing especially because it sets us up to do even better in the future!
I don’t necessarily think that the VP spot being a lead-up to a presidential run should be one of the top considerations right now. We need to win this race, 2028 and 2032 can wait their turn.
That is where I'm finding any comfort in the decision. I totally agree that #1 priority has to be getting elected.