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josh shapiro
The Heartening and Progressive Choice of Tim Walz
The most progressive of the candidates under serious consideration was the one Kamala Harris has decided to put on the ticket. It was her choice and she made a good one.
Aug 07, 2024
The few weeks of speculation are over. Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her VP running mate.
All six of the leading candidates had strengths and weaknesses that have been endlessly discussed. Whoever Harris selected, some of her supporters were bound to be disappointed. I believe that nothing is more important in U.S. politics at this moment than defeating both Trump and Trumpism. And so I have been prepared to write in support of whoever was the nominee. All the same, I honestly think that Walz is the best choice, and I am both relieved and heartened that it is he that Harris has chosen.
Walz is a Minnesota progressive (think Walter Mondale with a touch of Paul Wellstone) who can help carry Minnesota and Wisconsin (states in his media market) and Michigan, and he is the kind of plain-spoken, no-bullshit guy that will play well throughout the “heartland”—and will be able to call bullshit, figuratively and literally, on J.D. Vance and his “hillbilly elegies.”
While Josh Shapiro, like Harris, has had a “typical” career trajectory from law school to politics, Walz served for 24 years in the Army National Guard and is the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in the U.S. Congress—where he served for 12 years as a major supporter of veteran’s affairs. He is a former high school teacher and football coach who received his college degree—a B.S.—from Chadron State College in Nebraska (where, you ask? Exactly the point). He is a hunter and gun owner. In other words, he is the farthest thing from a “coastal liberal” that it is possible to be.
Walz is very strong on social and economic issues, which is why he has been the favored choice of Bernie Sanders and other progressives. He has been described as a “Minnesota social democrat,” and this is accurate. But so too was Walter Monday and Hubert Humphrey before him—neither a Bernie Sanders-type. Walz might well be the person in this race whose profile is closest to—Joe Biden. And he promises to do for Harris’s campaign what Biden did for Barack Obama’s in 2008.
Walz is very strong on social and economic issues, which is why he has been the favored choice of Bernie Sanders and other progressives.
Shapiro is a very successful Democratic governor who promised to carry Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes (it is worth noting that Minnesota and Wisconsin each have 10 electoral votes, and Michigan another 15). He is a more “centrist” politician than Walz, and he was supported by many donor-types because of his more neoliberal views on economics (especially school choice), and also by many pro-Zionist groups because of his positions on the Israel/Gaza war and on campus protest. And he is probably more closely associated with the Biden administration’s feckless handling of the Middle East crisis than any other candidate. But these policy positions also threatened to alienate many of the base democratic constituencies—young people, Arab-Americans, many of the BLM-linked civil rights groups—whose mobilization will be crucial in November. (And the notion that progressive opposition to Shapiro because of his positions on the Gaza war and campus protest is antisemitic is bullshit, though it draws on tropes that right-wing Zionists have been deploying ever since October 7.).
Shapiro’s profile as a Democratic rising star is indeed rather close to Harris’s—and indeed in the end it might have been his ambition and his strong personality that caused Harris to look elsewhere for a partner. The notion that Harris is a “leftist” who needs to be balanced by Shapiro’s centrism is risible, and it is worth reminding those making this claim that when she campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2019-2020, she was very much in the middle of a race whose two most dynamic candidates, for some time, were Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. At that time, she was being attacked from the left for not being radical enough (I published a piece on this back in February 2019 entitled “Kamala Harris Is Not a Red-Baiter, She’s Just Not a Socialist, Like Most Americans.”) The Trump campaign will lie about her “leftism.” But the proper antidote to such lies is simply the effective promulgation of the truth.
In short, Walz “balances” Harris on the ticket better than Shapiro ever could.
And if Shapiro and Fetterman–who hate each other, another interesting dynamic that might have played a role in Harris’s choice of Walz–are the Pennsylvania power-houses they each claim to be, then they should be able to deliver their state to the Democrats anyway (I assume that at some point the support of “Scranton Joe” might also play a role).
Harris has made a fantastic choice, even if it will disappoint some of the neocons who have realigned with the Democratic Party.
In yesterday’s The Bulwark, Bill Kristol—full disclosure, a friend with whom I have collaborated—argued strenuously that Shapiro is the only strong VP candidate, and that Harris’s failure to name him would be the “first unforced error of her campaign,” potentially stalling her momentum and also making her look weak “after the campaign against him from the left.” Kristol was not wrong to note Shapiro’s strengths. But, as I indicate above, these strengths are exaggerated, and come with serious weaknesses; indeed Kristol admits that “Harris could still win without Shapiro.”
Harris has made a fantastic choice, even if it will disappoint some of the neocons who have realigned with the Democratic Party.
Kristol exaggerates the extent to which there has been a “campaign against” Shapiro as opposed to an honest debate about who would be best. For as he himself notes, most Harris supporters have said that they would support whoever Harris picks. The differences between the VP candidates were not great, and all were and are firmly in the general orbit of Harris—who is of course the person who matters most.
The Democratic Party is a big tent party that has become even bigger since Trump forced many former Republicans out of the GOP. “Never Trump” Republicans are now an important part of the “common front” against the MAGA movement, as the Harris campaign has clearly acknowledged with its launching of “Republicans for Harris.” And centrist Democrats—of which there are a great many—are a core constituency of the party. But the progressive wing of the Democratic party is equally central; it has been pivotal for the Biden administration’s economic agenda and for its legislative success; and the successful mobilization of its supporters is essential to a Harris victory in November. Harris has demonstrated her savvy, and her leadership skills, by refusing to play against her own party’s left, and by choosing a running mate—Walz—who is, in all honesty, capable of appealing to the party’s diverse constituencies, while being as mainstream and middle America as they come.
But the main reason why Harris’s choice of Walz is the right choice is much simpler: because it was Harris’s choice to make, and she has made it.
In a matter of weeks, she has gone from being the running mate of a depressed and failing Biden campaign to being the dynamic leader of her own presidential campaign. She has been able to bridge divides within her party, to mobilize the entire range of Democratic constituencies behind her candidacy, and to generate an unprecedented amount of fundraising and volunteer enthusiasm.
For whatever combination of personal and political reasons, she has chosen Tim Walz.
It is now incumbent on everyone who believes that a Trump victory would be a disaster for social justice and democracy to support the Harris-Walz ticket and to do the work necessary to bring it a resounding victory in November.
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'Excellent Choice': Progressives Applaud Harris for Picking Walz as Running Mate
"Walz has proven that he has the necessary skills and authentic populism to go on offense—calling out the extremist and weird Trump-Vance agenda."
Aug 06, 2024
Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has reportedly selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate for the November election, a victory for progressives who pushed for Walz over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was believed to be the other leading contender.
Harris is expected to formally announce her choice ahead of an evening rally in Philadelphia. CNN was first to report Harris' decision, followed by other outlets including The Associated Press and The Hill.
Progressives are energized by Walz's searing critiques of the Trump-era Republican Party and his record as Minnesota's governor, which includes his unequivocal championing of a universal free school meals program as well as paid family and medical leave.
"In Minnesota, we're cutting poverty and strengthening families with our Child Tax Credit," Walz wrote in a social media post last week, calling out Republican nominee Donald Trump's running mate. "You'd think JD Vance would be eager to do the same nationally. Except he skipped a vote to pass the federal Child Tax Credit expansion yesterday. Give me a break with that pro-family talk."
Take it from me: These guys don’t know anything about family values.
Family values means protecting IVF, feeding children, and expanding the Child Tax Credit to give families a fair shot. It means helping your neighbors and investing in kids.pic.twitter.com/QrXHxLuJVh
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 2, 2024
Progressive organizer Aaron Regunberg was among those celebrating Harris' pick.
"It’s the right choice to appeal to the voters we need, to maintain this amazing unity and energy, to win this existential election, and then to do what Walz did in MN—enact the popular Democratic agenda that will improve people's lives and build a better world," he wrote on social media.
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee applauded Harris' decision as a "great choice," describing Walz as "an effortless populist" who "represents the exact direction the Democratic Party needs."
"With Walz, Harris defied the corporate consulting class and indicated she will double down on the popular, pro-consumer, pro-worker agenda of the Biden-Harris administration," the group added. "Walz has proven that he has the necessary skills and authentic populism to go on offense—calling out the extremist and weird Trump-Vance agenda. As governor, he passed a popular economic and voting rights agenda that will appeal to working families in the Midwest and nationwide."
In addition to welcoming the addition of Walz to the Democratic ticket, progressive organizers expressed relief that Harris passed over Shapiro, whose support for school vouchers and attacks on pro-Palestine demonstrators drew renewed attention and alarm as he emerged as a top contender for the running mate position.
RootsAction said it is "heartened that Vice President Harris did not choose Gov. Shapiro as her running mate."
"To further party unity in this crucial battle to defeat MAGA extremism in November, we encourage both members of the Harris/Walz ticket to meet with leaders of the 'Uncommitted' Democratic campaigns as they visit Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and other key states," the group added, referring to the movement that urged Democratic primary voters to protest U.S. support for Israel's war on Gaza at ballot boxes in key states earlier this year.
Elianne Farhat, a senior adviser to Uncommitted and the executive director of Take Action Minnesota, said in a statement Tuesday that Walz "has demonstrated a remarkable ability to evolve as a public leader, uniting Democrats' diverse coalition to achieve significant milestones for Minnesota families of all backgrounds."
"While his past positions as a congressman may have conflicted with anti-war voters, we hope he can evolve on this issue as he has on others, such as shifting from an A to F rating from the [National Rifle Association]," said Farhat. "As Harris' vice presidential pick, it's crucial he continues this evolution by supporting an arms embargo on Israel's war and occupation against Palestinians in an effort to unite our party to defeat authoritarianism in the fall."
Stevie O'Hanlon, communications director for the youth-led Sunrise Movement, said Walz is an "excellent choice" that signals the Democratic nominee is "taking seriously what is needed to rebuild the 2020 Biden-Harris coalition and energize young people, people of color, and union voters ahead of November."
"As governor, Tim Walz has made huge strides to address the climate crisis," said O'Hanlon. "He has done this by pitching climate action as a way to make people's everyday lives better, create good-paying green jobs, and invest in making communities stronger. That is a winning message, and one the Democratic ticket should put at the forefront of their agenda."
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Sanders Poll Sends Clear Message to Harris: Pro-Worker Policies Are 'Also Good Politics'
"The simple fact is: Whether you're running for the White House or a city council seat, if you stand with working people, they will stand with you," said Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Aug 05, 2024
A poll commissioned by Sen. Bernie Sanders shows that an overwhelming majority of voters in key battleground states support policy goals central to the progressive agenda, bolstering the case for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris to aggressively push for higher taxes on the rich and large corporations, a federal minimum wage increase, and an expansion of Medicare and Social Security.
"Good policy for working-class voters is also good politics," Sanders (I-Vt.) said in response to the survey's findings, which include replies from 1,158 likely U.S. voters in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
"It should come as no surprise that expanding Social Security, raising the minimum wage, and capping rent increases are very popular," the senator added. "The political class would do well to listen to the clear directive of American voters, and deliver. The simple fact is: Whether you're running for the White House or a city council seat, if you stand with working people, they will stand with you."
Conducted by Data for Progress, the poll shows that Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump are locked in a dead heat in the six battleground states with three months to go before the November 5 election. A slim majority of voters across the states examined feel that neither Democrats nor Republicans "have clear solutions for the biggest issues facing the country," suggesting there's a significant opportunity for either candidate to win over voters with a concrete policy agenda thatcenters the material needs of the working class.
The survey makes clear that progressive policy objectives have widespread appeal across the political spectrum. For example, the poll shows that 71% of voters in the battleground states—including 89% of Democrats, 67% of Independents and third-party voters, and 55% of Republicans—want the wealthy to pay more in taxes, a sentiment that aligns with progressive goals and contrasts with those of Trump and the GOP.
The poll also indicates broad support for raising taxes on big, profitable corporations; expanding Social Security by "making the wealthy pay the same rate as the working class"; hiking the long-stagnant federal minimum wage; and expanding Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
Support for more ambitious progressive agenda items, such as Medicare for All, is less solid among Republicans and Independents, according to the new survey, but still has strong backing among the Democratic base—68% of which supports transitioning to a single-payer healthcare system.
A Progressive Agenda is a Winning Agenda:
84% want Medicare to cover dental, vision & hearing
77% want to expand Social Security
75% want a cap on rent increases
71% want to restore $300/month Child Tax Credit
70% want a $17/hour Minimum Wage
64% want to cancel Medical Debt
— Warren Gunnels (@GunnelsWarren) August 5, 2024
The new survey comes as Harris, who formally secured the Democratic nomination last week, is weighing her running mate pick ahead of a Tuesday rally in Philadelphia.
Progressives have openly warned Harris against selecting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro—citing, among other concerns, his attacks on pro-Palestine demonstrators and support for school vouchers—and rallied behind Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Sanders himself, as Common Dreams reported over the weekend, praised Walz during an interview on Saturday, saying Minnesota's governor "understands the needs of working families" and would be well-positioned to "speak up and take on powerful corporate interests."
Calls for Harris to embrace a progressive agenda and choose a running mate prepared to fight for that program come amid concerns about the vice president's corporate ties and the Democratic Party's broader and longer-term failures to deliver for the working class, which is facing an increasingly dire housing crisis, slowing wage and job growth, and fears of a looming recession—all as billionaire wealth ascends to record heights.
"Progressives should insist that working people have a lot at stake in this election regardless of their skin color, nationality or ethnic heritage and that our shared class interest ought to be the basis for our political appeals," Dustin Guastella, research associate at the Center for Working-Class Politics, and The Nation president Bhaskar Sunkara wrote in an op-ed for The Guardian last week.
"The fact that this narrative—one the official Harris campaign seems at least slightly sympathetic to—was so quickly and enthusiastically overshadowed by an emphasis on identity politics says a lot about the Democratic Party's contemporary base," the pair wrote, pointing to the "White Women for Kamala" and "White Dudes for Harris" fundraising calls recently held in support of the Democratic nominee.
"The Democratic Party needs working-class voters more than ever, but unfortunately the party increasingly represents well-heeled white-collar professionals primarily concentrated in and around big cities," Guastella and Sunkara wrote. "It's these voters who crave appeals to identity over appeals to shared class grievances."
As Sanders said over the weekend, "The time is long overdue for Washington to stop worrying about the billionaires and their campaign contributors and start worrying about the needs of working families."
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