Picking Tim Walz was the first play Kamala Harris called as the Democratic presidential nominee.
It was a touchdown.
Walz is the dad, coach and – above all – teacher we need as Vice President.
At a time when Republicans like Mark Robinson and Michele Morrow demean and demonize public-school teachers, Walz is a testament to what teachers can do.
He taught social studies and geography at Mankato West High School in southern Minnesota. He was also the football coach and led his once-winless team to their first state championship.
He had an impact on the field and in the classroom
“I was a ‘C-ish student in high school,” one former student wrote. “Mr. Walz took the time to make sure that I was successful. Not only in his class but others. He made learning exciting.”
One of his former players said, “When he wanted to amp up players before a game, he did a great job of it. Just like the fiery speeches that you see him give today that might go viral, that’s what he was doing. Except he was yelling at a bunch of 16- and 17-year-olds.”
As governor of Minnesota, Walz acted on what North Carolina’s Education Governor, Jim Hunt, once said: “The most important thing we do in America is educate our children.”
Walz knows that a hungry child can’t learn, so he passed a bill providing free school breakfasts and lunches for every student in Minnesota. He signed the bill surrounded by students, and they spontaneously drowned him in hugs (photo).
The only pictures of Trump with children were taken at Jeffrey Epstein’s parties.
Where Vance is becoming the most unlikable politician since Richard Nixon, Walz is the most likeable since “I like Ike.”
He’s the dad down the street who lends you his lawnmower – or just goes ahead and mows your lawn himself.
He’s a father, and he and his wife Gwen – they met as fellow schoolteachers – had two children through IVF. When it comes to pregnancy, he can say, as he did at yesterday’s thunderous rally in Philadelphia, “mind your own damn business!”
There’s more to like about Walz.
He served six terms in Congress representing a rural, conservative district that had always elected Republicans.
He’s an effective, progressive governor, now in his second term.
He’s a hunter and gun owner who supports gun-safety laws.
He was a Command Sargeant Major in the National Guard.
He can do something that many politicians can’t: Talk like a real person.
Too many Democrats talk like they’re in the faculty lounge. Walz talks like he’s at the kitchen table.
He and Harris bring joy, hope and optimism to the race, a stark contrast to the hate, meanness and pessimism of Trump and Vance.
Harris made a great pick. She and Walz are off to a great start.
