Walz-to-Walz praise: Manchin and AOC both back Harris’s VP pick – Washington Examiner
Democratic support for Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) has surged following Vice President Kamala Harris’s announcement of him as her running mate for the 2024 election. Walz, who expressed that the selection was an “honor of a lifetime,” was chosen over several other contenders, including Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA). Prominent Democrats, including “Squad” members like Representatives Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have praised Walz’s selection, highlighting his progressive achievements in Minnesota, such as universal school meals and protections for reproductive rights.
As concerns grow about Harris’s ability to attract centrist voters due to her liberal stance, her choice of Walz is seen as a strategic move to position her campaign more towards the center to appeal to swing voters in the closely contested 2024 election. Meanwhile, centrist Democrats, including Senator Joe Manchin, have expressed their support for this pick, believing that Walz can help restore stability in a turbulent political climate. As the race heats up, Walz is expected to face off against Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), Trump’s running mate, in upcoming debates.
Walz-to-Walz praise: Why Democrats from Manchin to AOC back Harris’s vice presidential pick
Democrats from various backgrounds are rallying behind Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) after Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled her highly anticipated running mate for the 2024 election.
Walz and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) were finalists out of a group of several Democratic governors and one senator. Harris announced Walz as her vice presidential pick on Tuesday, and the Minnesota governor called it the “honor of a lifetime.”
“Squad” Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) were quick to jump on social media and praise Harris’s decision.
”Vice President Harris made an excellent decision in Gov. Walz as her running mate,” Ocasio-Cortez posted on X. “Together, they will govern effectively, inclusively, and boldly for the American people. They won’t back down under tight odds, either – from healthcare to school lunch. Let’s do this.”
Omar celebrated Walz’s selection, calling him the “next Vice President.”
“Our North Star state Governor has signed universal school meals, paid family and sick leave, marijuana legalization, and protections for reproductive rights into law,” Omar said. “Bringing Minnesota nice to the ticket.”
Bowman also expressed joy at Walz’s pick in a video.
”It’s Walz, baby! Let’s go!” the New York Squad member said, urging educators, working-class, and young people to “stand up.”
Other potential running mates vetted by Harris’s team included Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Govs. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) and Andy Beshear (D-KY). Eyes have been on the vice president to see who she would select as her running mate after President Joe Biden stepped aside and endorsed Harris to be his successor.
With concerns that Harris’s liberal record might alienate independent voters or Democrats who do not agree with her previous left-leaning policies, many looked to her vice presidential choices as a chance to bring her agenda closer to the center and appeal to swing voters, as the 2024 election is expected to be another contest decided by the slimmest of margins.
On the other side of the conference, centrist Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) are praising Harris’s decision to pick Walz, who will go on to face Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), the running mate of former President Donald Trump, in any future debates.
“My friend Tim Walz will bring normality back to the most chaotic political environment that most of us have ever seen,” Manchin said in a statement. “All of the candidates were strong and any one of them would have been a great pick, but I can think of no one better than Governor Walz to help bring our country closer together and bring balance back to the Democratic Party.”
”Governor Walz is the real deal,” the West Virginia senator added.
Many on social media were quick to point out the rare moment that Ocasio-Cortez and Manchin agreed on a political stance — including the New York congresswoman.
“Dems in disconcerting levels of array,” Ocasio-Cortez quipped, playing off of a news media phrase of “Dems in disarray” following the outpouring of congressional Democrats calling on Biden to withdraw from the race.
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