Kamala Harris Chooses Tim Waltz as Election Running Partner
- ANTARA/M Agung Rajasa
Washington, VIVA – Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate, elevating the former teacher and Army National Guard veteran to join the Democratic ticket and help lead the party’s fight to defeat Donald Trump.
The selection – which Harris personally delivered to Walz via a video call, according to a source familiar with the matter – caps the Midwestern Democrat’s short but swift ascent from a relative unknown to a leading driver of the party’s attacks against the former president and the MAGA agenda.
Walz emerged from the most accelerated vice presidential search in modern history from a shortlist that included half a dozen Democrats, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. The vice president held in-person interviews with Walz, Shapiro and Kelly on Sunday.
While Harris and Walz did not enjoy much of a previous relationship, aides said Harris grew increasingly enthused by how Walz genuinely carried himself and found a warm chemistry with him during a final meeting Sunday at her residence at the Naval Observatory.
Harris was impressed by his authenticity, a person close to the process, as quoted from CNN International site.
At a Tuesday rally in Philadelphia, their first joint appearance together, Walz portrayed himself as both a folksy Midwestern everyman and an attack dog for Harris.
“Thank you for bringing back the joy,” he said to Harris as he took the lectern, saying he is “thrilled to be on this journey” with her and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
“We’ve got 91 days. We’ll sleep when we’re dead. Over those 91 days, and every day in the White House, I’ll have Vice President Harris’ back every single day – and we’ll have yours," Walz remarked.
Wakil Presiden AS Kamala Harris (Doc: The New Arab)
- VIVA.co.id/Natania Longdong
In a remarkable two-week period, Walz ascended from a third-tier candidate to a final contender in the view of Harris and her vetting team. He was propelled by support from across the Democratic Party, progressive and moderate groups alike.
