WASHINGTON (Gray DC) -As the least known man in the presidential race before it started, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has introduced himself to Americans over the past few months.
Democrats have painted Walz as a Midwestern everyman in touch with rural Americans in the heartland.
But Republicans say the Minnesota governor is an extreme liberal far left of center.
Walz burst onto the national spotlight with a simple insult of Republicnas, calling them weird.
“Yes they are creepy, and weird as hell,” said at an August rally.
The sitting governor is a former Congressman from a rural Minnesota district, former teacher, former football coach, and a one time recipient of an “A” rating from the NRA. Some believe Walz can pull more moderates to the Harris ticket.
“He is very good at explaining progressive policies that make sense to Americans of all stripes,” George Washington University Political Director Todd Belt said.
Republicans say Walz is not moderate, pointing to policies he enacted as governor, such as providing drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants.
They also criticize Walz for his handling of the riots following George Floyd’s murder, saying Harris is doubling down on liberal policies with the choice.
“She’s leaning into the defund the police radicalism of the last few years,” JD Vance said shortly after the decision.
Walz has maintained somewhat of a folksy persona since joining the race. He has posted videos of working on his car, going to his old classroom and visiting farms.
“You expect him to be telling Dad jokes and being sort of the corny dad that everybody has who’s going to help you change your oil,” Belt said.
But Walz also changed his tone over time, hurling insults at Donald Trump, Vance and even high profile Trump supporters like Elon Musk.
“The usual job of the vice presidential running mate is to be the attack dog,” Belt said. “To be able to help the candidate on top to stay out of the fray.”
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