WASHINGTON: Kamala Harris on Tuesday picked Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, as her running mate to complement her in a historic and bruising bid for the White House in the upcoming presidential election against former president Donald Trump.
Harris, who is aiming to become the first woman president of the United States, had a shortlist of Democratic figures to enhance her appeal. Walz emerged as the top choice due to his background and political stance, which balances Harris’s perceived left-leaning positions. At 60, Walz brings a Midwestern sensibility and a folksy demeanor, contrasting with Harris’s California roots.
Walz’s political record includes advocating for popular Democratic policies such as cannabis legalization and increased worker protections, which are expected to resonate with progressive voters. His selection aligns with expectations that Harris would choose a white male running mate to broaden her appeal and counter Republican criticisms.
With the election on November 5 fast approaching, Harris and Walz are set to embark on a rigorous five-day campaign across key battleground states, starting in Pennsylvania. This move follows Harris securing the Democratic nomination, solidifying her control over the party as she prepares for the national convention in Chicago in two weeks.
Harris entered the presidential race last month following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal, driven by concerns over his mental acuity at the age of 81. Despite the short duration of her campaign, Harris has shattered fundraising records, drawn massive crowds, and dominated social media, narrowing what had been Trump’s growing lead over Biden in the polls.
According to the latest University of Massachusetts Amherst poll released on Monday, Harris leads Trump nationally by three points, 46% to 43%, a shift from January when Trump led Biden by four points. In critical swing states, Harris and Trump are currently neck and neck.
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The selection of a vice presidential running mate is a pivotal moment in any presidential campaign. Amy Walter, a polling expert from the Cook Political Report, emphasized that it reveals much about a candidate’s decision-making process. Harris and Walz now face their first major challenge as they travel from Philadelphia to Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. Tropical Storm Debby has caused the postponement of planned stops in Georgia and possibly North Carolina.
Pennsylvania, part of the “blue wall” that secured Biden’s victory in 2020, was a significant factor in Harris’s decision. Many had expected Harris to select Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Other contenders included former astronaut and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
Trump, who was politically buoyant last month after surviving an assassination attempt and using the Republican convention to emphasize his vigor compared to Biden, now finds himself recalibrating his strategy. At a rally in Georgia, Trump labeled Harris a “Marxist” and a “radical left freak,” predicting economic disaster if she were elected. He also controversially suggested Harris had “turned Black” for political gain during an address to Black journalists.
Harris’s campaign has taken a sharper approach compared to Biden’s, branding Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance as “weird.” The Harris campaign also claimed Trump was “scared” to debate her after he declined a scheduled debate on ABC, proposing instead to debate on Fox News, a network known for its support of Trump.
