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Some of you know me as a relentless punster and wisecracker. 

The moment I saw that Kamala Harris had picked Gov. Tim Walz (MN) as her running mate, I posted on social media:

The Walz are closing in on Trump and Vance

— Russ Baker (realrussbaker on Threads) (@RealRussBaker) August 6, 2024

and

With Kamala picking Tim, they should be able to "Walz into the White House"

— Russ Baker (realrussbaker on Threads) (@RealRussBaker) August 6, 2024

All jokes aside, it is a very savvy choice. We know that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was being considered the front-runner but, as my immigrant grandmother might have said, “Oy, a Black woman with a Jewish husband and a Jewish running mate? Why look for trouble?”

The thing that struck me about Tim Walz is that he is “solid.” He’s a military vet with a rural background, and pro-labor. A former high school teacher and football coach. A regular guy. He sounds regular and he looks regular. Nothing fancy about this fellow. (Well, he did work as a volunteer teacher in China and still speaks a little Mandarin.) And he’s not afraid to be progressive. He’s well liked. And his likability and his solidity and — yes — his lack of flair all nicely balance Harris’s tendency to bring out strong opinions (pro and con) from people. 

Maybe I shouldn’t say he lacks flair, but he does lack hair (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).  When someone commented on his age and beginnings of baldness, he quipped on X:

And supervised the lunchroom for 20 years. You do not leave that job with a full head of hair. Trust me. https://t.co/LrZH03kVDM

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) July 24, 2024

I think it’s also important to emphasize other qualities of “not.” He is not a “coastal elite,” he didn’t go to an elite law school, he isn’t some rich guy — so that really helps with the “one of us” vibe.

It’s a statement from Harris that she gets it. It’s a signal to other northern states, especially Wisconsin and Michigan. It will certainly not hurt her in Pennsylvania; in fact, pretty much everyone there who likes Shapiro will also like Walz. Plus his basic profile will appeal to some of those suburban moms and blue-collar white men who still need to make up their minds. North Carolina? Check. Georgia? Check. Nevada? Check. Arizona? Check. 

My, how things change. It ain’t looking so great for Trump and MAGA. They must be panicked.  

Indeed, the Walz do seem to be closing in. 

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