Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her newly selected vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, embarked on their first joint campaign event on Tuesday in Philadelphia, marking the beginning of a multi-day tour across key battleground states designed to introduce Walz to a national audience. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of over 10,000 at Temple University, Walz shared insights about his humble beginnings in a small Nebraska town, his 24-year tenure in the Army National Guard, and his previous career as a high school social studies teacher and football coach. "It was my students who encouraged me to run for office," he recounted. "They saw in me what I hoped to impart to them: a dedication to the common good, a belief in the potential of individual impact."
Walz also targeted the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and his vice presidential pick, Senator JD Vance, signaling his approach to the traditional 'attack dog' role of a vice presidential candidate, despite his amiable, down-to-earth demeanor. "He ridicules our laws, he fosters chaos and division, and that's just the tip of the iceberg regarding his presidential record," Walz charged. "He faltered in the face of the COVID crisis, he crippled our economy, and let's be clear, violent crime escalated under Donald Trump. Not to mention the crimes he personally committed."
Harris's entry into the race, following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the reelection bid just over two weeks prior, has significantly reshaped the election landscape, with recent polls indicating she has eroded Trump's previously established lead. Walz criticized Republican efforts to impose restrictions on women's reproductive rights, a contentious issue that has dogged the GOP since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to revoke women's constitutional right to abortion. "Even if we wouldn't make the same choice for ourselves, there's a golden rule: mind your own damn business!" he exclaimed, eliciting a resounding applause.
Harris, addressing the crowd prior to Walz, enumerated his various roles - husband, father, teacher, coach, veteran, congressman, governor - and predicted he would add a new title after the November 5th election: vice president of the United States. "He's the kind of individual who makes people feel included and then motivates them to aim high," she remarked. Harris, the U.S. vice president, had announced her selection of Walz earlier in the day, choosing a running mate with executive experience, military background, and a history of appealing to rural, white voters who have been drawn to Trump in recent years.
The Harris campaign reported raising over $20 million following the announcement of Walz as the vice presidential nominee. Pennsylvania, where their initial rally was held, is considered pivotal in what is anticipated to be a tight race between the Democrats and their Republican opponents. Trump and Vance swiftly denounced Walz as 'radical'. Walz, who was elected to a Republican-leaning district in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 and served 12 years before being elected governor of Minnesota in 2018 and again in 2022, has advocated for a progressive platform that includes free school meals, climate change initiatives, middle-class tax cuts, and extended paid leave for workers.
Trump and Vance were quick to label the new Democratic duo as excessively liberal. "This is the most Radical Left duo in American history," Trump posted on his social media platform. Vance criticized Walz's handling of the protests following George Floyd's death in Minneapolis in 2020, accusing him of being too lenient with the rioters. "The biggest issue with the Tim Walz pick - it's not Tim Walz himself. It's what it says about Kamala Harris, that when given the chance she will capitulate to the most radical factions of her party," Vance told reporters in Philadelphia earlier in the day. Americans typically focus on the presidential candidate when deciding whom to vote for, but vice presidential candidates can either bolster or undermine their running mates based on their backgrounds, regional popularity, and ability to sway crucial constituencies or independent voters.
"She followed her instincts on this one and chose the option that won't alienate young voters," commented Republican strategist Rina Shah. Walz edged out Pennsylvania's popular governor, Josh Shapiro, for the number two spot. Shapiro, who had faced intense criticism from the left, particularly progressive groups and pro-Palestinian activists, over his support for Israel and his handling of college protests triggered by the war in Gaza, delivered a passionate speech at the Tuesday evening rally in his home state, attacking Republicans and vowing to "work tirelessly" to secure Harris's election. He also offered a robust endorsement of Walz, describing him as an "outstanding governor" and a "great patriot."
Some Trump advisors expressed relief that Harris did not select Shapiro, fearing he could have potentially delivered Pennsylvania if included on the ticket, according to one advisor. Following their joint appearance in Philadelphia, Harris and Walz are scheduled to embark on a multi-city tour of vital swing states including Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada. Meanwhile, Vance is conducting a parallel tour, with planned stops in Michigan and Wisconsin on Wednesday.
