Nancy Pelosi Reportedly Has a Favorite V.P. Pick for Kamala - Tim Walz

[Bundbuster]

https://newrepublic.com/post/184521/nancy-pelosi-favorite-vp-pick-kamala-harris-tim-walz

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and many House Democrats have a favorite to be Kamala Harris’s running mate: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The Hill reports that several Democrats have been advocating for Walz, who was a member of Congress himself from 2006 until 2019 and was well liked among his fellow Democrats. That includes the former House speaker, who was instrumental in convincing Joe Biden to withdraw from the race and gave a lot of early support to Harris.

Other House Democrats echoed the sentiment. “My sentimental favorite is Tim Walz,” said Representative Jim McGovern. “He was a great member of Congress. The people I know in Minnesota tell me he’s a great governor.… But more importantly, he’s a good guy. He’s down to earth, he’s the real deal, there’s nothing phony about him, and he calls ‘em as he sees ‘em, and he tells it like it is, and I appreciate the candor.”

“I want somebody who’s really strongly pro-labor and understands labor, because this is a big part of the working-class agenda and making sure that we win working-class votes,” Representative Pramila Jayapal said. “I really like Governor Walz. I like the things that he’s been able to do. I like that he’s from a rural town; I like that he’s got a military background.”

Walz’s popularity has grown since the vice president entered the race more than two weeks ago. He’s made successful critiques of Republicans like J.D. Vance and held his own against the right wing on Fox News. If Pelosi is in favor of Walz joining Harris’s ticket, that could be a deciding factor and make many Democrats, whether elected or rank-and-file, very happy.

[elleng]

1. GOOD!

[Passages]

2. It's a solid move. I am not surprised.

[Irish_Dem]

3. It must not be a sentimental decision.

It must be based on hard facts and data.

That said I am fine with Walz.
He is my #2 pick.

[crimycarny]

9. Agree

I keep waffling back and forth with Walz being my #1 and then my #2. I'm sure Kamala will make a calculated choice based on careful consideration (not sentiment). But it's nice to know Walz is looked upon so favorably amongst his former colleagues.

One huge area of strength Biden brought to the Obama/Biden ticket was his ability to build relationships across the aisle. In fact, Biden's superpower of building long-term relationships is one of the factors credited to Biden's ability to negotiate the hostage release.

Can a VP candidate bring a similar strength to the ticket? Or is that even a "gap" that is needed?

Like you (and everyone else here on DU), I'll support whoever the VP is. There isn't a single VP candidate I'm strongly averse to. I think Shapiro has the most potential baggage: some are questioning his handling of a sexual abuse case against a top aide, his inflammatory comments about the pro-Palestinian protestors--comparing them to the KKK. On the other hand, he is hugely popular in PA and he seems very good on the stump.

Ugh..the suspense!

[Irish_Dem]

13. Yes

It is a good sign that the colleagues who know him and have worked with him, like him,
and highly recommend him.

Pete is my #1 choice.
Walz #2.

But I do not have access to inside information and data.
So Kamala has to choose!

We have a lot of talent available to our party.
I don't think she can go wrong in her VP choice.

Biden is a superb coalition builder and arm twister.
I do not know how he pulls off the things he has done.

I think we have learned a big lesson on how important the VP slot is.
Not just to help win the election, but to govern as well.

And that person must truly able to handle Plan B.
Can that person take over the presidency and win that election if need be.

I think the suspense is killing all of us right now.

I hope Kamala lets us know this weekend.

[crimycarny]

18. Biden is also advising Kamala

He's proven to have the best political instincts of any politician I've known in my lifetime. Way better than Pelosi IMO.

Yes, Kamala needs to put us out of our misery soon!

[RVN VET71]

36. I'd trust Nancy here

The VP on the ticket needs to be as clean as possible. The Fascist Party will use its propaganda outlets to attack relentlessly any perceived moral and/or political lapses in him/her. So Shapiro, while potentially a fine VP, has problems because of his support for a staffer charged with sex abuse and, worse (given the current climate on campuses across the country) he is not fond -- to say the least -- of pro-Palestinian protesters.

So if Walz is relatively clean, that's a big plus. If he's a good stump speaker, that's a double plus.

[JJ101]

4. And

He made “weird” famous. He is a cheerful happy warrior.

[PlutosHeart]

46. He is a solid pick

Damn I hate to loose him here in MN. But for the sake of the Country this is a man who could represent America well.

[xmas74]

57. He can bring along scotcheroos and hot dish

I also read that he was originally from Nebraska so he can spread a love of runza.

Folksy, intelligent, straight shooter from the Midwest and if promoted properly can do well.

(I'm originally from Wisconsin so I'll never call a casserole hot dish. And sometimes Special K is on sale so you substitute it for Rice Crispies.)

[JanMichael]

61. What am I reading here? Scotcheroos and runza?

Is he from Hooville?

[xmas74]

62. Must not be from the Midwest. Nt

[JanMichael]

63. Guess Kansas doesn't count as Midwest?

[xmas74]

64. Youre from Kansas and never had runza?

And I guess you've never been to a Casey's or HyVee because they always have scotcharoos.
It's the big go to bar for potlucks.

Btw-many do not consider Kansas as Midwest. It's a Plains state.

[JanMichael]

65. Last lived there in 1984.

And you are the first person that I have ever heard suggest that Kansas is not necessarily in the Midwest.

Matter of fact most people think Kansas is in the Midwest.

https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/43618-drawing-midwest-map-what-states-americans-think

[honest.abe]

5. That's a big endorsement!

He would be great and would likely help with the rust belt states including PA.

[Stuart G]

6. K and R ....no text

[Pinback]

7. Ezra Klein's new podcast has a great interview with Walz.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-tim-walz.html

His ability to relate to rural voters is great, among many virtues.

[moonscape]

12. Yeah, just finished listening to it. It's a great

longer interview and validates how fluidly he speaks. There’s not an ‘ah’ or ‘um’ anywhere. He speaks in full sentences, paragraphs, and his interviews could be transcribed without a note anywhere.

And that’s before getting to content …

[ARandomPerson]

8. Pelosi didn't want Kamala Harris. She wanted an open primary.

I respect her, but I am irritated by the people who treat her as The Final Boss. She's a good politician but her instincts (as with respect to MVP) are not infallible.

[crimycarny]

10. Is that true or rumor?

I've heard that stated before but I'm not sure if it's true or rumor. Nancy Pelosi seems too politically savvy to not realize the chaos an open primary would bring.

Has she said that openly or was it reported by "anonymous" sources? Real question, not meant to be sarcastic.

[ARandomPerson]

11. NYTimes report

I'm no insider. All I know is what was reported.

From the NYTimes: "Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the former speaker, recently told her colleagues in the California delegation that if President Biden were to end his campaign she would favor the “competitive” process of an open primary rather than an anointment of Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic presidential nominee"


https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/us/politics/nancy-pelosi-joe-biden-drop-out.html

[crimycarny]

15. Can't see NYTimes article but saw something similar in Politico

I cancelled my NYTimes subscription almost a year ago so I can't read that particular article, but I found a similar one in Politico.

Sounds like a lot of things were discussed and, in typical Democratic party fashion, so many things discussed were based on hang wringing about appearances. (Senator Al Franken anyone?)

Thankfully Joe Biden took charge and passed the torch in such a way that avoided the chaos that would have ensued. Even while those voicing those concerns were the same people stabbing President Biden in the back.

Joe Biden will truly go down as one of the best Presidents, no thanks to these alleged "wise" leaders of the Democratic party.

[Celerity]

38. now you can

Can't see NYTimes article

https://archive.ph/8l8H1

[crimycarny]

49. Thank you

Read the entire article, thanks for the link.

I think what makes me the most upset is not Pelosi's sentiments but the fact that so many in that private meeting leaked to the press.

[onecaliberal]

28. I'd go alot farther than that, but I will cool my heels.

[flamingdem]

14. Careful. This could be fake news - pressure against Shapiro and

we need PA!!!!

[crimycarny]

16. Agree--but is Shapiro the only one who can deliver PA?

I think Walz would be able to deliver PA as well, and won't potentially turn off voters in Michigan who may not like Shapiro's stance on the pro-Palestian protests.

I think either, Walz or Shapiro, would be fine. I honestly think any blowback in Michigan against Shapiro would most likely be negated by other Dem and Independent voters.

Both would be good picks I think. But what do I know, lol.

[oldsoftie]

24. I'd think he's far more likely than anyone else to bring PA

And with PA comes 19 EC votes & one battle ground state.
Whoever wins the most of those 6 states will win this election.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

53. Walz is a much better pick... Nancy's right!!

[Demsrule86]

17. Not her decision...but interesting if true.

[LisaM]

19. I hope that's who they pick.

I think he has the best experience and it won't cost a valuable Senate seat.

[Emile]

59. He is the perfect candidate for VP. Congressional & executive experience.

[mahina]

20. Me too! He will be very effective cutting through the bs fog.

[Nanjeanne]

21. Her support probably has a lot to do with her support of House members and Walz was one. He seems to have a

very big support system in the House and had a good working relationship with many. I'd like Pelosi to have sway over the decision as Walz is my #1 (followed by Beshear) - but I'm not sure she really does.

The Hill posted an article about it. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4806591-tim-walz-harris-vp-house-democrats/]

NBC posted an article about it as well. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/tim-walz-kamala-harris-vice-president-pick-congress-rcna164349

Excerpts from both:

“My sentimental favorite is Tim Walz,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (Mass.), the top Democrat on the powerful Rules Committee. “He was a great member of Congress. The people I know in Minnesota tell me he’s a great governor. … But more importantly, he’s a good guy. He’s down to earth, he’s the real deal, there’s nothing phony about him, and he calls ‘em as he sees ‘em, and he tells it like it is, and I appreciate the candor.”

“The other person [Democrats are interested in] is our former colleague Tim Walz, who we know really well,” said Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.), the chair of the New Democrat Coalition. “He was my chair when I was on the Veterans Affairs Committee, when I was a new member of Congress. Incredibly nice guy, very well thought of in the House and the Senate and then among the governors.”

“You had to look at Democratic governors, obviously, and you had to look at the Midwest. And I think he’s on that short list,” Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., who served with Walz for all 12 years, said, explaining how Harris’ team might be approaching the pick. “But then you add in the fact that he’s served in Congress. He has relationships with members of Congress. He is a veteran, working in the National Guard and a teacher."

“On balance, Gov. Walz checks more boxes” than the other vice presidential contenders, Larsen said.

Rep. Betty McCollum, a fellow Minnesota Democrat, noted that Walz had the most experience in Congress of anyone on the list — and said being a creature of the House is arguably more valuable than the Senate.

“The adage ‘all politics is local’ is something that House of Representative folks have to understand, especially people like Tim, who came from a district that had been red before. How are you true to the values that you want to be moving forward nationally and still reflect and represent and have the confidence and trust of your district that you’re representing now?" McCollum said.

Walz “ran strong campaigns,” said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., who in 2016 was a congressman and chaired the House campaign arm. “He earned the trust of his voters. His voters didn’t just vote for him, they like him.

“Congressman Walz was the kind of representative that would show up into every corner of his district, he would have town halls in every corner of his district,” Lujan added. “And even voters that may have disagreed with his voting record, they appreciated that he showed to listen and talk.”

Read both articles for more details.

[oldsoftie]

22. No. Harris should already win Minn. Shapiro or Kelly should be the pick

Shapiro is popular in PA & they have 19 electoral votes.
THIS is the most important thing.

[DFab420]

23. VP's delievering states is a very old view of politics now. I think Walz speaks to the working class

no matter the state.

[oldsoftie]

25. It may be an old view but PA is a battleground state. She needs those 19 votes.

People vote for what & who they know & Shapiro would be the most likely to bring them along.
He's popular in PA & I dont want to take any chances with ANY battleground states. I want them ALL but 4 for 6 wins her the election. If Shapiro wasnt as popular as he is I may have a different opinion.
But I can just see Walz taking Vance apart on a debate stage.

[Nanjeanne]

30. While it's true she needs the state - I don't understand why she can't win the state with Shapiro campaigning for her.

Why is his nomination to VP the reason people from PA will vote for her? Are they going to sit home if he's not the VP? If they like him so much why wouldn't him campaigning for her in PA excite people and get them to the polls?

It's weird to me - like I'm sitting at home saying "well if my Gov who I like is her pick I'll vote. Otherwise the hell with it".

Are voters in PA ONLY interested in voting for Harris if Shapiro is the pick? What about the other states? Or should we just have a VP from every swing state and maybe they can each be her VP for 6 months or a year.

[crimycarny]

39. This 100%

What bothers me is that the main reason I keep hearing as the case for Shapiro is the belief that he'd ensure a win in PA. While that may be true, it seems there needs to be a lot more reasons than just being able to deliver their home state. He comes with a bit more baggage than the other VP candidates. Is it to a degree that would negatively affect the outcome? That's the question.

I think a candidate like Walz would win PA as well as other Rust Belt states and potentially help in other close states.

Listening to Walz on Ezra Klein's podcast I'm liking him more and more. Walz comes off so similar to Biden. And his history of being a congressman helps as well, he knows Washington.

[oldsoftie]

58. Because people will see him as "next up". Campaigning for her isnt the same.

This race is too close & she needs as many advantages as possible. I think she knows it.

[yardwork]

42. Agreed.

[pattyloutwo]

32. Walz

Will do very well campaigning in PA swing counties

[democratsruletheday]

48. I mean.....

you're probably right but I am all OVER the place on this. Initially, I strongly favored Kelly but he isn't real strong on labor and also isn't strong on the stump so I switched to Shapiro but his Israel stance worries me SOME but not as much as most. Then I switched to Beshear as a real compliment in style to Harris. Now I'm leaning toward Walz because of his strength with rural voters (similar to Beshear) I don't know anymore folks. Damn tough decision but in the end I think that Joe Biden will have a strong say in who she picks. She respects him that much.

[crimycarny]

50. Are you my twin?

Because your thought process is exactly the same as mine. I went through the same candidates as my number 1 choice in the same order, LOL.

I agree about Biden being a good sounding board. His political instincts are very keen.

[Island Blue]

26. He's my favorite as well.

I have a feeling that my opinion means less than former Speaker Pelosi’s though. 🤣

[Demobrat]

27. Good. From the little I've seen,

he’s the perfect counterpoint to her.

[samnsara]

29. i like him too...hes funny!

[Warpy]

31. He's my pick, also, since he's turned into a firebrand ;lately

He's perfect, he's got the gravitas fellow old white men want only he's not old, he's the same age Harris is (which I find hilarious). He's got good instincts and will add a great deal to the next administration.

As for Pete Buttegieg, I want to see him at the State Dept. I imagine 4 years as Secretary of Transportation has sharpened him up a great deal and he's got the same basic decency Bill Richardson had that allowed Richardson to gain concessions from th baddest bad guys out there, including Kim.

[mchill]

33. He's 69!

In 8 years he will be 77 yo.

[ARandomPerson]

35. Who? Tim Walz is 60.

He's only six months older than Kamala Harris herself.

[yardwork]

41. You might be thinking of Roy Cooper.

Coop took himself out of the running last week.

[Emile]

45. Walz and Kamala are the same age, 60. Both are young.

[mchill]

56. I stand corrected, but in

8 years he will not be that young.

[pattyloutwo]

34. A lot comes down to likability

And everyone seems to really like him! It should come down to policy, but he’s got that covered 😊

[Sky Jewels]

37. Samesies!

[yardwork]

40. Waltz would be great. So would Beshear.

I trust Kamala to make the best decision.

[Auggie]

43. I like Kelly better

[Galraedia]

44. I prefer Shapiro or Kelly

Shapiro can deliver Pennsylvania, which is critical to winning the election. He's also younger than Tim Watz, who is only a year older than Harris but he looks much older. I feel like a debate between Shapiro and JD Vance would also go a lot better.

[PlutosHeart]

47. I live in the most conservative county in MN.

It overwhelmingly in all parties went for Bernie. I believe it was also the largest margin in the State.

Walz is very much like Bernie and even Wellstone in some ways of appeal. He represents everyone. We know this in MN.

I will continue to say I would sorely miss him here.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

51. Wow. The love for Tim Walz is overwhelming.

This makes me happy.

[Emile]

55. Me too. I love the people in Minnesota. My dearest friend

lived in the northern wilderness near Wirt. She lived to be 95 and lived all alone on a beautiful small lake. I miss her stories about her father homesteading the property and the fishing lodge down the road that Al Capone gangsters would use it for a hideaway while boot legging aclohol from Canada. I miss her so much.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

52. I'll take Walz over Shapiro that's for sure!!

[pattyloutwo]

54. Nancy has a pretty solid record

Of finger on the pulse. I think Walz is my favorite - he’s such a good speaker and like Beshear welcomes all into the fold. Plus a great sense of humor!

[Emile]

60. With Nancy support in Congress for Walz, that

would go a long way of getting Kamala's agenda passed. Walz has a lot of friends in Congress and has executive experience too. He is the perfect candidate for VP.