It's looking more and more like Tim Walz was a brilliant choice.

[ificandream]

Very few figured Tim Walz even had a chance. And when word came out he was picked, I wondered what Kamala Harris was thinking.

I think we know now. Walz was more personable and down-to-earth than the majority of us knew. Which is why the GOP is scraping to dig up stuff on him.

With every appearance, Walz looks like he'll be sooooooooo comfortable as Vice President.

Christmas came early.

[Ocelot II]

1. Walz is turning into kind of a rock star!

He's been a great governor, all-around good guy who's helped make MN a progressive oasis in the middle of a MAGA desert, but I didn't expect him to be such an effective political speaker. That's not to say he was a poor or boring speaker; only that on TV he seemed just normal, workmanlike, practical, not such a firebrand or so funny. He's proving to be a great asset for Harris.

I just spent a few days driving around far northern MN, visiting some nature sites (ever get a chance to see the Lost 40 in Chippewa National Forest, do it!), and observed very few Trump signs anywhere (3, I think), although this used to be Trump country, bigly. Driving through the Red Lake Nation I saw whole a lot of signs for Harris and Amy Klobuchar, definitely none for TFG. The folks on the rez definitely are not Trump fans.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Walz is a great choice

Incredible compare and contrast with Vance. Walz hands down unless you are a klansman.

I find Tim rather Jimmy Buffettesque.

[COL Mustard]

6. Interesting comparison

Jimmy was a consummate storyteller. I think maybe Tim is as well.

[BOSSHOG]

15. And both wear big ole smiles most of the time

Past tense in the case of Jimmy but I bet he’s hanging out in Margaritaville and has finally found his lost shaker of salt.

And I think with maybe a slight stretch they look alike

[ananda]

29. I'm still mourning Jimmy Buffett.

Walz does have that Buffettesque energy, agree!

I'd love to see them use his music at the rallies!

[COL Mustard]

38. You know his estate

Would approve if asked!

[BOSSHOG]

42. FINS dedicated to don and jd

[jayschool2013]

62. The North Shore

is solid blue: Duluth, Grand Marais, Cook County.

[Ocelot II]

64. Hubbard, Cass and Beltrami counties, not so much.

Except for the rez, of course; that's Harris (and potentially Flanagan) country. There's a Trump merch store on the main drag in Walker where you can even buy a life-size cardboard effigy of Himself (only not as fat and wrinkly as the real thing), which I briefly considered buying just so I could defile it. There used to be a lot more Trump lawn signs in that area, though.

[jayschool2013]

65. Excellent

Thank you.

[PlutosHeart]

82. I lived in Bemidji when it

was blue. I watched the BS happen and am convinced there is a lot of not up and up stuffs going on in voting.
It was important for them to quash the University and younger people.
Used to also live near Walker for a few years. That is truly stupid about the store. I hope it shutters. Yuck. They depend upon tourists to survive and it really gives a bad image.

[wishstar]

2. He exudes conviction, authenticity and strength in his speeches

making a good combination with his upbeat enthusiasm and humor

[cyclonefence]

3. Merry Walzmas!

[Tribetime]

4. The perfect Presidential and Vice Presidential combo

At the perfect time. This is my favorite combo ever.

[Biophilic]

10. Seriously those two give me so much hope.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

21. Talk about the stars aligning in the right place and the right time,

here is the ultimate example and the repigs have no idea of how to counter it.

[musclecar6]

7. Kamala and Tim

Are the best. They are the perfect combo to take on Trump and Vance and all the rest of those deplorable MAGA congress people..

[birdographer]

8. Speaking of Christmas...

Oooh, what do you think he and Gwen will do with the trees?????

[wordstroken]

32. Oh yeah!! Thanks for bringing that up, birdographer!!

I can’t wait to see how they decorate during Christmas — and all the holidays. Easter egg hunt (with a bunch of giggling kids), Halloween; oh, and pardoning the Thanksgiving turkeys. That should be spectacular!!!

You’ve just opened up a whole bunch of things to get excited about with Tim and Gwen making “fun decisions” at the White House. Plus Hope and Gus, and Scout, Ashton(?), and Honey (their pup and two kitties).
🎄 🐣 🎃 🦃
So much love and joy on the horizon.

[NJCher]

58. oh come now

You don't think this is happy, wholesome, and fun?

[NJCher]

59. one more thing

The headline describing her decorations used the words "creepy" and "strange(ly)." And this was back in 2018.

People have been finding this crowd strange, weird, and creepy for a long time.

[wordstroken]

76. IKR? That is sooo creepy.

And weird.

[GopherGal]

78. Past performance may not guarantee future results, but...

From a few years ago:
Christmas at the Governor's Residence: featuring Minnesota's First Pets Scout & Afton

?si=S29XlrMg0GFr31gG]

[BrianTheEVGuy]

9. The differentiation is clear

Republicans build walls, Democrats elect Walz.

[KPN]

20. Bravo! I love it!

[biocube]

11. Genius.

Progressive members of the party that have criticized Biden since he took office love him but to everyone else he's just a normal Midwestern dad.

[Butterflylady]

12. They have never dealt

With someone that has integrity and honesty. All their used is typically like the orange con. No matter what they throw at him, it just bounces off because he is being himself.

[GopherGal]

53. Decency and Strength

The "weird" thing is an interesting off-shoot from the ability to sell many "progressive" ideas as neighborly decency. ("It's weird to be against feeding school children." "Who wants to make 10-year-old rape victims bear their rapists' children? Weirdos.&quot

The "midwestern dad" "coach" fatherly persona is a melding of that compassion with the strength and sternness from a 24-year military career and 20+ years of experience in classroom management (and, I gather, a bunch of time as a HS cafeteria monitor...)

[NJCher]

60. also

I would add that is just the way those people are out there in the heartland. Not everyone, of course, but a lot of them.

Walz grew up only 40 miles away from where I was born and raised.

There's something about their demeanor and approach to life which is honest and refreshing. People love it and can't get enough of it.

I found it to be a tremendous advantage when I moved to the NY area. People (and job interviewers in particular) would comment on it, straight to my face.

[catbyte]

13. I saw a really sad clip of a liberal young woman on TikTok

She said she likes Walz so much because wishes he was the dad that she lost to Fox News.

Those monsters destroy families.

[jfz9580m]

25. It is definitely hard

When relatives one is fond of start espousing hideous political views. It is what always makes me hit pause re mocking actual people (as opposed to politicians and media/public figures) with atrocious views where they have clearly been brainwashed by the media they follow. Groan inducing conspiracy theories etc.

I do think even educated older adults struggle with media literacy. I am always confounded by how people buy into some random shit they hear on say a YouTube channel..it is some combination of wanting to believe horrible crap and ignorance. But actual naïveté is a genuine factor.

Because I have found that if you do it seemingly casually and diplomatically you can undo some of the damage done by shitty media..of course it can only work with people who trust you with good reason..

Being confrontational, contemptuous etc never works because people stop listening and then the deprogramming doesn’t take. I am not talking of course about manipulation or nudges etc-I disapprove of that stuff. More like gently making people question beliefs by pointing out stuff in ways they are receptive to. It is the same basic process one uses to refine/correct one’s own critical thinking skills/cognitive biases given half a chance to do so.

This is something I have thought about a lot..it is gratifying when the deprogramming takes…it really only works when it doesn’t come from a place of disrespect or infantilisation, but rather genuine concern/understanding.

The reprogramming to understand reality is of course any individual’s own call. No one can do that for you. But if you are fond of someone, you at least want to see the crap (blatant lies and falsifications, fearful and paranoid notions etc) go away first.

[jfz9580m]

14. A neat contrast to the guy in an unrequited romance with his couch

Last one I promise . Don’t wanna overdo it, but I had to quip!
(Actually I don’t dislike Usha Vance in spite of everything. I think she is a democrat, but probably not that interested in politics. This can’t be easy on her…there was a rather sympathetic profile of her in The Daily Beast which I agreed with..).

I never understood how people fall
in love across political divides and still don’t..especially in such a polarized age..

[Marcuse]

17. People are saying it was not unrequited.

[jfz9580m]

19. ;-/

Thanks for the image!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

16. I told Ya'll.

Isn't he great?

This is the man I have known for going on 20 years. Tim has not compromised his ethics, values, and principles. He is smart, relatable, approachable, etc. He does not suffer fools. He is not easily intimidated. He is a FACTS man. He is funny. He is very down to earth.

[KPN]

18. Glad you spoke up. I googled him when I heard he was on

the short list. After watching a few You Tubes … I was excited. I don’t think a VP pick has ever excite me as he did. I was hoping she would choose him. They were all excellent, but he excited me like no one has before.

[moonscape]

37. He had me after the 1st one. Then

I went on a YouTube hunt/play of everything I could find. .So smart and hilarious.

He supported Biden until the end, and in an interview said (as exact a quote as I can recall):

“I know Joe Biden is old, Joe Biden knows he’s old and wishes he wasn’t. But Donald Trump wishes he wasn’t going to prison so it’s a draw!”

[ProudMNDemocrat]

41. Tim has that killer dry wit.

He is a natural, that is for sure.

[Emile]

22. We both were showing our support for her to choose

him early. He was the very best choice she could have chosen. He and her are both clicking and having a blast. His common sense and plain spoken speech will win over a lot of voters. Plus it doesn't hurt that his smile looks like someone is tickling his tummy.

[rhiannon55]

23. Kamala & Tim have brought me out of the depression I couldn't shake....

I was so worried about what my kids and grand kids would go through under a dictatorship with a madman and his mini-me in charge. I feel so much hope now.

I love them both! I haven't felt this optimistic in a long time.

[Bluethroughu]

27. I was also depressed, for the same reasons.

The sense of fear is replaced with relief, and excitement for a future of positive possibility.

We got this.

[mahina]

46. Oh ((((sis))))

Me too.

[Bluethroughu]

24. He is the Midwestern charm, people love.

First interviews I saw, I said that's the VP for President Kamala. He has her back 100%!

[PortTack]

26. Great summation!

[Srkdqltr]

28. Amazing how some people just have ... something....

Several of the other choices were really excellent but Walz has something.

[Sky Jewels]

30. I got SO invested in him being chosen as veep

that I was trying to prepare myself for crushing disappointment if she didn’t choose him. I knew it in my bones that he was THE right pick. I’m so relieved and happy that he’s the guy/the dude.

[Klarkashton]

31. The bastards are doing everything they can to smear

This good guy. Yet the numbers keep climbing.
hahahaha

[IronLionZion]

33. They compliment each other very well

and make a great team. Like Obama and Biden, then Biden and Harris, VP is a great pathway for future presidents. Although Walz claims he doesn't want to be president and I believe that makes him a great choice for our first woman president's VP.

[progressoid]

34. b...b...b...but...STOLEN VALOR!!11!!

Seriously. I tune into AM radio and that's about all they talk about.

They got nuthin'

[ificandream]

80. Notice how Repubs make up bumper sticker phrases for their GOP dummies?

DEI, stolen valor, critical race theory? Short and simple for the stupids. sigh.

[Initech]

35. I love the description of Walz that I just heard:

"Walz is the guy you call when you need help with the creepy dude at the bar - and JD Vance is that creepy dude at the bar!".

[Sky Jewels]

68. And I wouldn't leave my bar drink unattended around JD Vance lest he roofie it.

[3catwoman3]

36. PResident-To-Be Kamala Harris has found her own version...

...of VP Joe Biden.

[ificandream]

44. Very observant point.

[RussBLib]

39. and his wife Gwen is looking pretty awesome too

...careful now, don't get too exuberant!

https://russblib.blogspot.com

[Zoomie1986]

40. The day after Biden stepped aside

My mother had finally calmed down from how so many people dumped on him that she was ready to stop grieving and face reality. She asked me what I thought of Kelly as VP, and I said, nah, not the right fit for Harris.

'But he's an astronaut!'

'You're showing your age, Mother. People are over the astronaut thing, now that any idiot with money can go into space. Plus, she's from California and he's from Arizona. Too close. No, I think you need to keep an eye on Tim Walz."

'Who?'

'Governor of Minnesota. Solid Democrat, smart guy, has run the state beautifully. She needs a running mate with the regular guy vibe, someone from a 'salt of the earth' state like that. He checks off a bunch of boxes and balances the ticket well. I think he'll be the guy.'

So the day Kamala announced him as her running mate, I got a call from my Mom, 'HOW DID YOU KNOW IT WOULD BE WALZ?' The caps are justified there, because she really was screaming it.

Anyway, I reminded her that I'd told her why I thought he'd be the guy. The combo added up right, that's all. He simply 'fit' Harris and made the ticket complete, somehow.

I never once thought it would be anyone else.

[Hope22]

43. I think he is doing great...

…but I think Pete would have put a bit of polish and youth to the office. I hope it all works out and Harris takes eight years and then Pete steps up.

[Random Boomer]

45. Even if every Republican lie was true....

The MAGATs toss around all manner of lies and exaggerations to insult Tim Walz, but even if every single thing they said was true, Walz would still be my top pick for Vice President of the United States.

No person is perfect. I don't expect infallible. His virtues and strengths outweigh by far the worst the GOP can say about him.

[sellitman]

47. This shows one thing perfectly clear

President Harris will surround herself with great qualified people.

As opposed to the orange turd who will pick boot-lickers and sycophants.

[NJCher]

61. which is why the jerk is losing ground fast right now

He hand selects people to live the lie with him.

[kimbutgar]

48. I am so impressed with him

And she made a good pick.:He’s smart, funny and so likeable) and will hard for the convicted felon to attack him with childish insults. As a former teacher Walz he knows how to deal with an unruly child.

Put me in coach I’m ready to play (vote for Harris/Walz November 5th)

[kentuck]

49. He's authentic.

Democrats cannot go wrong when they are authentic.

[Gaytano70]

50. 💙💙💙💙💙

I get to see Coach Walz live in Kamaha (Omaha) on Saturday!

[MaryMagdaline]

51. Not a suit

Not a lawyer.

Love my Democratic Party, but it helps to have fewer city slickers

[pansypoo53219]

52. relieved she didn't pick the polished PN gov. kain jr.

[Celerity]

54. who?

PN gov. kain jr.

[pansypoo53219]

67. forgot his name. should say obama jr. too polished for now.

need plain vs vance.

[Celerity]

69. I do not follow what you are saying (and who) but I am going to move along.

[obamanut2012]

56. Who is Kain Jr?

[PlutosHeart]

55. I knew he was the best choice

and secretly and selfishly wished he would not get it yet felt a deep welling inside that he needed to be the one. I did actually look up about the others and found things that concerned me, some more than others.

He is and was my Governor. I had nothing but respect for him. Even enjoyed listening to him! 🤣

I said it before and will repeat "I cried literally all day for two days". I do not recommend this state of emotions that combines both joy and sadness all at once. I was a wreck. Feeling a bit better now.

[NJCher]

63. 'yer taking one for the team.

Thank you.

[PlutosHeart]

81. I know.

I really do know.

[obamanut2012]

57. I wanted her to pick him so badly, but knew she wouldn't

Because her advisors would say he was too "folksy," even though we need that REAL folksiness back in politics. Then, the night before he was in MN at an event and not in PA I was bummed. But, my wife was in the shower and we were getting ready for work (we are in CA, so it was early for us when the news came) early Monday, and the news came out! She thought I had fallen because I was running down the stairs yelling Walzwalzwalz!

[Warpy]

66. They were all good choices

That's really the point, we had all the good ones and the GOP had all the bad ones. Good.

I was in the Walz camp the first time I saw a video of him skewering a Scrooge Republican in his own state. Wow.

I'm just glad he's on our side.

[edisdead]

70. I suggested him early when Kamala was the top of the ticket.

He has been fantastic for MN.

[NHvet]

71. No peeking at the presents

before election day

[Blue Owl]

72. K&R

[Evolve Dammit]

73. Instantly loveable. Like Lou Grant on MTM!

[riverkittenDem]

74. Agreed!

I would genuinely love to see him as our VP.

[yankee87]

75. 100% Wrong on Walz

He has got to be the best VP pick in my lifetime. I wanted Shapiro, and boy, I’ve never been so happy to be wrong.

[HeartsCanHope]

77. VP Harris is so smart!

She picked Walz on his merits, not as payback to some political weirdo group! The great thing is the entire country wins.
We're not going back!!

[Buttoneer]

79. Yep! I think he adds a bit of a coat tail to the campaign. n/t