Governor Walz mocks Trump and Vance while positioning himself as a potential running mate for Harris.
On July 27, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took aim at former President Donald Trump and his vice-presidential pick, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, branding them as a “dangerous combination” in his speech at a rally organized by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. Walz, who is considered a potential running mate for Harris, called the Republican ticket “weird” and expressed confidence that Minnesota would not be swayed by their rhetoric.
“The fascists depend on us going back, but we’re not afraid of weird people,” Walz said to the crowd of around 200 people at the St. Paul Labour Centre. “We’re a little bit creeped out, but we’re not afraid.”
Walz mocked Vance’s selection, referencing his best-selling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, and his rise from humble beginnings to become a venture capitalist. Walz mocked Vance’s background, saying, “They went out, you know – because he’s a TV guy – they go out and try to do this central casting: ‘Oh, we’ll get this guy who wrote a book, Hillbilly Elegy, you know, because all my hillbilly relatives went to Yale and became, you know, venture capitalists.’”
The rally took place just hours before Trump and Vance were set to hold their own rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Walz and other Democratic figures, such as Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Betty McCollum, worked to remind voters of the state’s history, emphasizing that Minnesota had not supported a Republican nominee since Richard Nixon in 1972.
Walz dismissed any hope that Minnesota might swing to Trump in 2024, stating, “He’s here today, in the state of hockey, to complete his trifecta. He lost in ’16. He lost in ’20. He loses in ’24.”
Regarding speculation about his own future in the presidential race, Walz addressed reports that he was among the finalists for Harris’ running mate. He expressed gratitude for being considered and emphasized his enthusiasm for the energy that Harris was bringing to the Democratic Party.
With polling showing Harris leading Trump in Minnesota, Walz’s comments appear to be an effort to solidify support and portray the Republican candidates as out of touch with the state’s values.
