Minnesota GOP Governor: Tim Walz VP Pick is Like Bernie Sanders in Hunting Gear

The selection of current Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate indicates that Democrats are firmly committed to a "democrat-socialist agenda," according to former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican.

Pawlenty, a former GOP presidential candidate who served as Minnesota's governor from 2003 to 2011, stated that Walz, the Democratic presidential nominee, shares similar philosophical and political views with Harris, but brings a distinct approach and location to the 2024 Democratic ticket.

"She embodies the San Francisco, California, vibe, while he will have the Bernie Sanders in hunting gear vibe," said Pawlenty. "In essence, it's the same product, but presented in distinct packaging."

In a social media post, Harris announced Walz as her choice for the Democratic vice presidential nominee, highlighting his progressive record.

"Like him, he has served as a governor, coach, teacher, and veteran, and has successfully delivered for working families," Harris said.

"He collaborated with Republicans to enact infrastructure investments. He reduced taxes for working families. He enacted legislation to offer paid family and medical leave to Minnesota families. He established Minnesota as the first state in the nation to pass a law safeguarding constitutional abortion protections following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, and as a passionate hunter, he sponsored a bill mandating universal background checks for firearm purchases."

Walz's record is a source of joy for progressives but also a tool for Republicans to portray Harris and her running mate as too liberal and too radical. Pawlenty stated that the Trump campaign is likely to target Walz for his sluggish reaction to the 2020 George Floyd riots in Minneapolis, during which a police station was set ablaze. He also pointed out that Walz oversaw the largest spending increases in state history and a scandal involving COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud.

"Pawlenty stated that the nonpartisan legislative auditor criticized him for not taking rising crime and high-profile fraud within the state government seriously. He added that the target audience for his message is persuadable voters in swing states."

Pawlenty was evaluated as a possible VP candidate by both McCain and Romney, and he predicted that Walz would bring fresh enthusiasm to the Harris campaign in the remaining 90 days before the election.

Pawlenty stated, "On a personal level, he's energetic, friendly, and folksy. He's interested in issues and likes to campaign. He can talk like most politicians, I used to say, tug dogs off a meat wagon."

"The issue with the Harris-Walz ticket is not their campaign style, skills, or energy. The real challenge is whether America is ready for a more democrat-socialist agenda. Trump has his own set of problems. If the Republicans had a stronger candidate, they could take advantage of the fact that there are many Republicans and independents who do not like Trump."

Pawlenty stated that he does not back the Harris-Walz ticket and has previously voted for Trump, and may do so again.

"The Trump campaign will portray Walz as a radical candidate, and it's uncertain how well this will resonate with voters in Pennsylvania."