Harris VP pick: Walz’s ‘deferential’ style won over Shapiro and Kelly
A new tell-all book delves into the behind-the-scenes decision-making process that led to Vice President Kamala Harris selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate in the ill-fated 2024 presidential campaign. The book, titled “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,” sheds light on the vetting process that ultimately pitted Walz against Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.
According to the book, all three finalists underwent a final interview with Harris at her residence, where Walz notably stood out by choosing Diet Mountain Dew as his drink of choice. Harris’ advisors believed that Walz’s appeal with rural voters made him the best candidate for the job, despite Shapiro being the logical choice due to his governorship of a key swing state.
The book reveals that Shapiro’s ambition and lack of interest in being a number two to Harris left a bad impression during his interview, while Walz’s humility and selflessness endeared him to the vice president. Despite concerns about Walz’s tendency to misspeak and make blunders, Harris ultimately felt a better rapport with him, leading her to choose him as her running mate.
However, Walz’s folksy demeanor and series of blunders on the campaign trail, including inaccurate statements about his military service and a claim of being present at the Tiananmen Square massacre, drew intense scrutiny and criticism. Many critics viewed the selection of Walz as a misstep by Harris, with some pointing to her decision as a key factor in the campaign’s ultimate failure.
The book also touches on the progressive wing of the Democratic Party’s criticism of Shapiro due to his support of Israel, with some viewing it as unfair and borderline antisemitic. Ultimately, Harris chose to go with her gut and select Walz, a decision that her staff was unanimously behind.
In retrospect, critics have pointed to Harris’ choice of Walz as a disastrous decision that doomed her campaign from the start. Some have criticized the Democratic Party leadership for being too influenced by the hard-left progressive wing, leading to questionable decision-making processes.
As the fallout from the 2024 election continues to be analyzed, it remains to be seen how the selection of Tim Walz as Kamala Harris’ running mate will be remembered in the annals of political history.
