CHICAGO — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) has silenced Democratic skeptics.
As the Democratic National Convention approached, questions swirled within the party about the wisdom of Vice President Harris’ choice of the Minnesota governor, a relatively unknown figure from a state the Democrats would win, as her running mate.
But Mr. Walz started the race with a ferocious edge, touting his background as a teacher, coach and veteran soldier on the campaign trail. His impassioned speech at the convention last week was one of the event’s highlights, as he displayed his down-to-earth charm onstage and enthralled delegates who were little familiar with his rural roots and infectious energy.
Democrats said the rousing speech not only introduced Walz to voters across the country but also helped ease concerns about his candidacy.
“There were some skeptics, but … I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people say, ‘Oh my God, what a great choice. I was wrong,'” Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., said.
“Overwhelmingly, the doubters have become convinced. Overwhelmingly,” he continued. “I’m hearing from my colleagues. I’m hearing from people especially back home. They’ve never heard of him. I have some close friends. [texting]and one text message was, ‘Really?’ I replied, ‘Look.'”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) offered a similar assessment, saying Walz’s humble background as a teacher and coach sets him apart from the typical politician, especially at the highest level — in fact, the last Democratic candidate without law school experience was Jimmy Carter.
Doggett added that his Midwestern roots would appeal to rural voters while also invalidating a common criticism that Democrats only represent “coastal elites.”
“[Walz is] “This is someone who can speak to rural America, a place that, frankly, Democrats have failed to reach. He really does seem like someone you’d want to have as a neighbor,” Doggett said, adding that Walz’s centrist voting record during his 12 years in Congress would help Democrats counter Republican claims that their candidate is too liberal for most of the country.
“It was a very moderate record, and I think it’s consistent with the record we need to win this election,” he said.
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said he has been inundated with calls from family members and constituents delivering the same message: “We loved him.”
“My sister is a teacher, and teachers are ecstatic that a teacher is going to be vice president of the United States,” McGovern said. “He’s just the real deal.”
Enthusiasm for Waltz was not necessarily universal.
Days after Ms. Harris named Mr. Walz as her running mate, wary Democrats in and outside of Congress questioned the choice. They pointed out that Minnesota is already a Democratic state and wondered aloud why Ms. Harris didn’t pick someone who could help swing the battleground state in her favor.
They had expected Harris to choose another candidate on her shortlist for the vice presidential spot, which also included popular Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut.
“Everyone says the road to victory runs through Pennsylvania, so why not elect someone who can ensure that victory?” Philadelphia Democratic Party Chairman Bob Brady said. He told local news media WHYY News.Ahead of Harris’ announcement.
But Walz’s supporters reject the idea that he won’t be a boon to the party in battleground states.
“He has a ‘upper Midwestern’ way of speaking, so he speaks specifically to Wisconsin and Michigan, which are battleground states that we need to win,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) “We have a lot in common with them, except for the fact that we have terrible sports teams, and he speaks like us.”
Republicans have decidedly different views of the Minnesota governor. Backed by Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trump’s running mate, GOP critics have sought to paint Walz as untrustworthy, questioning his loyalty to a National Guard unit deployed to Iraq shortly after his discharge and accusing him of falsifying his rank.
Republicans have also attacked Walz for misleading statements he made in campaign speeches that suggested he and his wife had undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF) to overcome their infertility, when in fact they had undergone a different treatment, intrauterine insemination (IUI).
“It’s really strange to lie, isn’t it?” Vance He told reportersLast week in Milwaukee: “There’s nothing wrong with having or not having a baby through IVF. Why would you lie? I don’t understand.”
Democrats have denied the attacks and accused Republicans of simply making minor distinctions to smear political opponents.
“Really? They’re kind of figuring it out at this point,” said Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), the House Democratic whip and a leading voice in the party defending women’s reproductive health options.
“Why don’t they come together and actually help us get IVF protections, which is what the American people want from us for families going through expensive, painful and emotional fertility treatments,” she continued. “Are you trying to make an issue of the fertility treatments that Tim Walz and his family went through? Please.”
Democrats’ enthusiasm for Walz was further fueled by his son’s emotional show of pride during Walz’s speech at the convention last week. A video of a tearful 17-year-old Gus Walz saying “That’s my dad” was captured on camera, went viral and has since remained one of the most memorable moments of the entire convention.
“It was so amazing. Especially watching the family interactions, it was so beautiful,” Kildee said. “You can’t capture that in a script.”
Others said it was Mr. Walz’s speech itself — a short but impassioned speech full of Midwestern accent and apple-pie charm — that garnered attention, and afterward, they said, any concerns that he might have been the wrong choice were allayed.
“I think all those concerns have been allayed,” said former Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who was in Chicago for the tournament. “I think everyone now understands she was smart in choosing Waltz. He’s just the quintessential American coach, father, country guy. And a great personality. You can’t dislike him.”
“I think that would go a long way.”
