In Tim Walz, Democrats see a potential VP pick who can shore up the 'blue wall'

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's allies argue his appeal to working-class and progressive voters could offer Kamala Harris a boost as her running mate.

When Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz showed up on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” last week to blast Donald Trump and JD Vance as “weird” — part of a recent media blitz — the line of attack quickly gained traction among Democrats.

Key among them was de facto presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who days later started using the same word in her campaign messaging against the GOP ticket, including at a fundraiser in Massachusetts on Saturday.

The simple phrase quickly highlighted why Walz — a popular two-term Midwestern governor, former congressman, military veteran and former public school teacher — had suddenly landed on Harris’ short list of prospective running mates.

But Walz’s allies, friends and current and former colleagues note that his canny folksiness is just one of the attributes that make him uniquely suited to be the Democratic vice presidential nominee.

In addition to a relatable personal story, they say, the 60-year-old Walz has a background representing rural communities that is needed in the party, as well as a record of progressive policy accomplishments.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/tim-walz-kamala-harris-vp-blue-wall-rcna163436

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