Tim Walz helps Harris in NC

His military and small town background will play well here.

I’ve largely stayed out of the Veepstakes speculation. I didn’t care that much who Harris chose and more enjoyed the process. It highlighted the immense political talent in the Democratic Party. Instead of reaching for some guy like J.D. Vance, Harris was looking at group of governors and Senators with long resumes and impressive track records.

That said, I was quietly rooting for Walz. In fact, in the days after Harris became the presumptive nominee, I mentioned him to a few friends before I read anything about him being considered. I’ve spent a whole lot of time in Minnesota over the past twenty years and I’ve been following Walz throughout his career. In 2006, I pitched his first Congressional campaign for the direct mail gig. I didn’t get it, but I followed his race and watched him take out an incumbent Republican Congressman.

He’s been a great governor with a common touch. He’s always seemed down-to-earth and approachable. He will score very high on the beer question (as in "With which candidate would you rather have a beer?") that became popular in the Bush era. He’s also got a great sense of humor and a biting wit.

While Shapiro was seen as the choice to deliver Pennsylvania with its 19 electoral voters, Walz will play great in the Upper Midwest where Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota share strong cultural and economic ties. Walz graduated from state colleges and universities before teaching social studies and coaching high school football. He has the demeanor and looks of a Midwestern working class hero.

Walz was raised in small towns in rural Nebraska before moving to suburban Minnesota. He comes by his folksy ways naturally. He contrasts well with J.D. Vance, the Yale-educated lawyer and venture capitalist millionaire failing at his phony working class schtick. Walz can connect with people where Vance alienates them.

Walz also brings an appeal to North Carolina and Georgia that could help those states. He understands the attraction to small towns and struggles of rural America. He spent a decade as a teacher working with suburban families. He’s not been making money on Wall Street or in some big law firm. Instead, he spent 24 years in the National Guard and became the highest ranking enlisted man to serve in Congress. In North Carolina and Georgia, those military connections give him credibility in states with large veteran and active duty populations. The Upper Midwest with its mix of agriculture and manufacturing has cultural and economic similarities to the South that Walz understands.

Walz also brings the connections of his 12 years in Congress. He worked with Members of Congress from across the country, giving him a national base of contacts to supplement his regional appeal. He broadens the campaign’s reach in the states they need to win.

Walz brings broad appeal to the ticket. He continues to give Democrats multiple paths to 270 electoral votes. His Midwest roots will strengthen the ticket in Michigan and Wisconsin. With his strong labor background, he’ll also play well in Pennsylvania. Even though Shapiro did not get the nod, he will put all of his effort in delivering his home state, as will Senator John Fetterman. Finally, his rural/suburban background, his job as a teacher, and his military service make him appealing to North Carolina and Georgia. He doesn’t seem to bring any liabilities to ticket. I’m not sure vice-presidents have too much influence over voters, but if they do, Walz will help Harris and the Democrats.