General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTim Walz Would Make a Great Running Mate
![](https://i.gyazo.com/926da51f2b57ea147d5da208c99a485b.png)
https://prospect.org/politics/2024-07-25-tim-walz-would-make-great-running-mate/
![](https://i.imgur.com/zxFKpmh.jpeg)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, center, standing with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, left, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, talks with reporters following their meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, July 3, 2024.
With Kamala Harris abruptly taking Joe Bidens place as the next Democratic nominee for president, speculation about who will be her running mate has naturally exploded. Some reporting has the choice being narrowed down to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, and perhaps Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. I am neither capable of nor interested in trying to predict which one she will pick. However, I do believe there is a better choice that fits all the apparent criteria: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
First, the other contenders have some significant downsides. As David Klion writes at The New Republic, Shapiro is one of the worst Democrats in the country on the Gaza war. He supports legal prohibitions on the BDS movement, joined in the cynical Republican dogpile on University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, repeatedly implied that all the protesters against Israels war are antisemites, and in general supported Benjamin Netanyahus psychotic violence for the last nine months. To be fair, Shapiro had also said that Netanyahu is one of the worst leaders of all time who is leading Israel in the wrong direction.
Bidens support for Israels war has badly split the Democratic Party, and alienated key youth and minority constituencies. It is vital for Harris to at least paper over this crack (and, one hopes, actually force an end to the war should she become president). She seems to realize this, and sources close to her are leaking stories to reporters about how she would likely take a different tack on Gaza. Picking Shapiro would immediately reopen that wound in the party coalition. Many activists would immediately start attacking her vociferously, deflating the rare moment of party goodwill and optimism that has built up.
![](https://i.gyazo.com/46a443e2bfb73e8f6731a8c9702ef6e2.png)
Sen. Kelly is not so incendiary as Shapiro, but he has one massive black mark on his record: Back in 2021, he refused to support the PRO Act, a sweeping overhaul of labor law that would make it easier to organize and add some actual punishments for companies that break the law. One of the reasons so many employers routinely infringe on their workers rights is that when they do, the typical punishments are tiny fines or being forced to put up a sign. Even Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) supported the PRO Act. Picking Kelly would also mean Dems have to win a special election in 2026 to keep his Senate seat, while he would otherwise not be up until 2028.
snip
![](du4img/smicon-reply-new.gif)
senseandsensibility
(19,306 posts)But he's not afraid to take it to JD and cheato. He called them members of the "he-man woman hating club".
ms liberty
(9,463 posts)He definitely belongs on the list.
Ocelot II
(119,042 posts)But he's awesome and I would hate to lose him, though our Lt. Gov., Peggy Flanagan, is very capable.
Nanjeanne
(5,380 posts)personality.
PlanetBev
(4,162 posts)Tims got a mind like a steel trap. Riotously funny, too
ProudMNDemocrat
(18,275 posts)Were he to be picked, he would tear JD apart.
The Command Sargent Major in him would be in full force. Tim is not easily intimidated by anyone. CF#45 does not intimidate him. JD would be putty in his hands.
How do I know this? I have seen Tim in action. All through his campaigns for Congress when we lived in the 1st CD, when he ran for Governor, my husband and I attended his debates. We also attended both his inauguration parties when elected and re-elected Governor. This is a man who knows his stuff and he blows away his opponents with the facts and the TRUTH.
Ocelot II
(119,042 posts)Tactical Progressive
(2,867 posts)Saw him on TV the other night.
Real clear talker.
radius777
(3,767 posts)and I fear it would be another Tim Kaine type of pick that doesn't add anything.
I think we need someone who comes across as tougher and has some swagger - like Kelly or Cooper.
I agree that Shapiro would be a disaster, his overly pro-Israel stance (including on the BDS issue) is way out of step with the base. He won't help with MI and WI as some think and he may not even help with PA. He won there in 2022 - well before this became the issue it is now.
Nanjeanne
(5,380 posts)pick. Walz is nothing like Kaine in progressive policy accomplishments or personality.
Kaine might have been right choice for Hillary (personally I didnt think so) but there is literally nothing about Kaine that is similar to Walz.