Kamala Harris’ ascension to the top of the Democratic Party’s ticket for the US presidential election underlines why the choice of running mate matters, says The Guardian. So her pick for vice-president was always going to get more attention than usual.
However, her choice of Minnesota’s governor Tim Walz shows the party’s new-found confidence that it is possible to beat Donald Trump. Walz has proved himself “adept” at winning over moderate Republicans in his home state, while the selection of “a folksy Midwestern man who loves hunting” will make it even harder for the Republicans to portray the Democratic ticket as “extremist”.
Did Kamala Harris choose well?
Not so fast, says The Wall Street Journal. The Harris campaign hopes that Walz’s “plain-spoken personality” and “Midwestern background” will appeal to voters in swing states, including some Trump voters.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
But Walz “has moved Minnesota sharply to the left”. His response to the 2020 riots “will be scrutinised in particular, as poor areas in Minneapolis burned and many business owners lost everything”. Thus Harris’s choice confirms the impression she gave in 2019 “when she ran for the White House as a left-wing Democrat”. That could put off moderate Republicans, who would otherwise have doubts about Trump. Walz’s record as governor of Minnesota means that he “is not without baggage”, says The Economist. And Minnesota isn’t a key swing state: it last voted Republican over 50 years ago.
Still, unlike Pennsylvania’s governor Josh Shapiro, who was seen as Walz’s main rival for the second spot, Walz’s status as “a leading light of the left of the Democratic Party” will help keep the Democrats united and the base enthused.
What’s more, Walz has already won plaudits for being an “energetic advocate for Harris on television”, as well as for his “punchy” attacks on the Republican ticket, some of which have been adopted by the Harris campaign.
This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.
-
Is it time to ride the recovery in emerging markets?Interview What's the outlook for emerging markets? Gustavo Medeiros, head of research at Ashmore Group, gives his analysis and reviews progress in developing economies
-
Could the Enterprise Investment Scheme cut your tax bill?The Enterprise Investment Scheme is tax-efficient and potentially lucrative. Taking a chance on the scheme could trim your family’s IHT bill, says David Prosser
-
'Ride the recovery in emerging markets': Gustavo Medeiros of Ashmore Group tells MoneyWeek
Interview What's the outlook for emerging markets? Gustavo Medeiros, head of research at Ashmore Group, gives his analysis and reviews progress in developing economies
-
The City's big bet on green finance fails to pay outOpinion Insurers and banks are backing away from “green finance”, and there is not much sign of the green boom we were promised. That’s a problem for the City
-
Why is English football thriving – and can it last?What has gone so right for English football? The national team has found its feet; the Premier League is swimming in money and profits are soaring
-
Should you invest in Pakistan – the Vietnam of South Asia?Opinion If Pakistan is now serious about reform, it’s time for investors to buy, says Maryam Cockar
-
'Why you must own gold and Bitcoin'Opinion The world is dedollarising, and gold and Bitcoin are the only alternatives. Buy now, says Dominic Frisby
-
'Britain is on the road to nowhere under Labour'Opinion Britain's economy will shake off its torpor and grow robustly, but not under Keir Starmer's leadership, says Max King
-
What are wealth taxes and would they work in Britain?The Treasury is short of cash and mulling over how it can get its hands on more money to plug the gap. Could wealth taxes do the trick?
-
UK bank stocks are no bargain – here's a safer alternativeOpinion Britain's banking sector faces severe political risks. Switch into this global financials trust instead, says Max King
