Saturday, September 28, 2024

Leibovich: Tim Walz Is Too Good at This

Mark Leibovich - Tim Walz is trying very hard to make it look like he's not trying too hard. The point is, Walz likes to emphasize that he was not out there gunning for this job like some try-hard politician would. He was just minding his own damn business one day, puttering around at home: playing with his dog, or inspecting his gutters and picking up some new downspouts at Menards.

Posted by tonyroma at 03:30 PM | 31 COMMENTS | permalink

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But then, after President Joe Biden's debate face-plant on June 27, and his exit from the campaign a few weeks later, Walz decided he might as well get himself out there a little more. He would shed his camouflage hat, throw on a tie, and try to fit some TV interviews into his busy schedule of changing air filters, hunting pheasants, and governing Minnesota.

And wouldn't you know it, Walz was an instant sensation: He relentlessly touted Harris and crushed Donald Trump and dismissed certain Republicans as "weird" in a punchy procession of appearances. Next thing he knew, in early August, Harris was on the phone asking him to be her running mate, and Walz was saying, Sure, why not, he'd be happy to help - just as he would if, say, Harris were his friend down the road who needed help shoveling out her car after a blizzard.

"As I told the vice president, whatever I can offer, I will do," Walz said in Grand Rapids, recounting Harris's fateful "Let's do this, buddy!" invitation. A sensation was born.

When Harris picked Walz, she knew that this would be an abbreviated race, with limited time to make an impression. The campaign clearly saw Walz as embodying an archetype of American masculinity that would stand in contrast with the noisy grievance guys in the red MAGA hats and creepy venture-capitalist types like Vance, who can't order a damn doughnut without breaking into hives. Walz is a much more approachable avatar for would-be Harris supporters, those classic rockers, tellers of dad jokes, and football-watching wearers of Taylor Swift friendship bracelets. They are content to sit at home and mind their own damn business unless called upon, in which case they're happy to pitch in and help. How could these dudes - who ideally live in places like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin - not relate to Tim Walz?

It's so very easy to compare and contrast any presidential nominee's most important and relevant decision - the choice of who'll be their running mate.

To judge Kamala Harris on hers is to instantly recognize what a perfect choice Tim Walz has been in contrast to everything JD Vance isn't, namely an actual humane soul, comfortable in his own skin with a lifelong record of service to both his nation and community.

I guess it shows how "regular" Tim Walz is in comparison to Vance's excentricities that I seldom see him mentioned in the news with the regularity of Vance and his sycophantic miming of Trumpisms often without the intentional ambiguity that is Trump's entire trademark and political brand.

Hopefully the upcoming debate will again focus America's attention on just who's better prepared to take over the White House if either presidential candidate has to be replaced.

#1 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-09-28 08:17 AM

@#1 ... To judge Kamala Harris on hers is to instantly recognize what a perfect choice Tim Walz has been in contrast to everything JD Vance isn't, namely an actual humane soul, comfortable in his own skin with a lifelong record of service to both his nation and community. ...

Yea, I would not have gone with "perfect" in that sentence.

But to the apparent point of your comment...

Just look at the two VP candidates as they go on the campaign trail and interact with Americans.

Gov Walz at county fairs, seems to be having a great time, as do the people around him.

Sen Vance trying to buy a donut looks stilted, apparently unable to have any manner of a real conversation with the person behind the counter. I mean, I have more amiable conversations with the cashier and bagger at the local supermarket.


#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 05:56 PM

Vance is toxic. LOL

JD Vance suffers latest campaign fail after being denied entry into restaurant

www.independent.co.uk

#3 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2024-09-28 05:59 PM

@#3

More from the link ...

... The latest food-shop-related gaffe led to many online questioning those that make advance arrangements for the Republican vice presidential nominee, with one X user claiming he " has the worst advance team in modern election history."

Just last week he was roundly mocked online over a trip to the supermarket, also in Pennsylvania, where he bemoaned the steep cost of eggs, claiming that Harris' economic policies had led to the price being $4.

The problem? When footage of the visit emerged, Vance was quickly called out by viewers who spotted the price tag of a dozen eggs behind him was actually $2.99.

And in Philadelphia, the Ohio senator tried to crack a joke when ordering a Philly cheesesteak at the famed Pat's King of Steaks, but he wound up being accused of committing a "crime against humanity" after it fell flat.

In August, Vance admitted the Trump campaign screwed up after an awkward visit to a donut shop in Valdosta, Georgia. The GOP VP nominee struggled to make small talk while buying baked goods with an employee who clearly did not want to be on camera. ...


Wow.

#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 06:10 PM

Yea, I would not have gone with "perfect" in that sentence.

I think you missed that I used the word only as in a direct comparison to Trump's pick, JD., not in the sense that Walz is any more perfect than the rest of us imperfect beings.

In, THAT comparison, it's easy to call Walz a "perfect" choice by, and more importantly for Harris, namely for the very reasons you mentioned above added to my own: JD doesn't project a humane spirit - with his racist attacks on Haitians; he's visibly uncomfortable around regular people - namely because he doesn't see himself as one, so he can't help but reek of elitist superiority; and he's spent scant few months of his adult life helping or serving the public good and has no experience in government management outside of possibly his Senate staff - who's probably managed by his chief of staff. Yet he may end up heading the whole thing, something he's incredibly inexperienced to do.

#5 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-09-28 06:26 PM

@#5 ... JD doesn't project a humane spirit - with his racist attacks on Haitians; he's visibly uncomfortable around regular people - namely because he doesn't see himself as one, so he can't help but reek of elitist superiority ...

Well, yeah.

Especially this aspect...

... he can't help but reek of elitist superiority ...

While he attempts to leverage his roots to hide his elitism, such attempts do little more than backfire on his resume.

en.wikipedia.org

... He graduated from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He practiced briefly as a corporate lawyer before embarking on a career in the tech industry as a venture capitalist. ...


#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 06:36 PM

LOL Walz was a hit at the game today. They lovingly chanted 'Get out of here!'

#7 | Posted by gracieamazed at 2024-09-28 09:39 PM

Gracie shouldn't you be prowling through all the boys rooms in Minnesota looking for tampon dispensers?

#8 | Posted by Tor at 2024-09-28 09:43 PM

#8 Why? They only people confused about things like that you and your fellow liberals. On a side note, how much do you pay to get Gracie post alerts? Weird.

#9 | Posted by gracieamazed at 2024-09-28 09:46 PM

@#7 ... Walz was a hit at the game today. They lovingly chanted 'Get out of here!' ...

Fans boo Tim Walz as he leaves Michigan-Minnesota game: 'Get out of here!'
www.foxnews.com

... A rough afternoon for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz got even tougher.

Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate attended Saturday's game between Minnesota and Michigan in Ann Arbor, taking in the action from a suite along with former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke.

The Golden Gophers trailed by as many as 17 points early, but they staged a late comeback by scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks onstage at a Harris-Walz campaign rally at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa., Sept. 21, 2024. (Caroline Gutman for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

However, it was too little too late, and the 12th-ranked defending champions came away with a 27-24 victory.

When it came time for Walz to exit the Big House, fans waited outside and gave him a harsh farewell.

Several in attendance booed him, with another fan even yelling "Get out of here." ...

Before the game, Walz was tailgating with fans outside the Big House.

"A little rain can't keep us from the big Michigan-Minnesota game! And it's not gonna stop these students from making sure that everyone on their campus is registered to vote," Walz posted on X.

When asked by the Michigan College Democrats on X whether he was "excited for Michigan to beat Minnesota today," he let out a laugh, perhaps knowing it was unlikely.

"I'm excited to be at the Big House. I'm excited to watch this incredible game. I'm more excited to see young people being excited about their future," he responded. ...



Was that a political reaction, or a reaction of sports fans in a Minnesota-Michigan game?


#10 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 10:05 PM

Walz was a hit at the game today. They lovingly chanted 'Get out of here!'

What do you expect when Michigan fans were left standing in the pouring rain for 30 minutes to allow Walz inside before them?

Pissed off' Michigan fans boo Walz after his motorcade forces them to wait in the rain for Minnesota game
Hell, if the game was against Temple, Philly fans would have torched the motorcade. Michigan fans were downright gentile considering the circumstances, especially since Walz was there to root for Minnesota who almost upset the Blue in their own Big House.

#11 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-09-28 10:12 PM

But I still have to say, Gov Walz attended the game.

I'd proffer that he would know beforehand of the Michigan-Minnesota sports rivalry.

But he still attended to support his state's team at an away game.

That takes major cojones.

Kudos.



#12 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 10:21 PM

The bankruptcy-prone orange turd was a hit in the USFL.

deadspin.com

#13 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2024-09-28 10:21 PM

Gracie shouldn't you be prowling through all the boys rooms in Minnesota looking for tampon dispensers?

#8 | Posted by Tor

Trump supporters emptied out tampon dispensers so they could tape them to their ears in a show of solidarity.

Seeing grown men walking around with a tampon scotch taped to their ears has been one of the weirdest thing I've seen this campaign

#14 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2024-09-29 08:26 AM

"Why? They only people confused about things like that you and your fellow liberals. On a side note, how much do you pay to get Gracie post alerts? Weird"

Thing is gracie they dont exist in MN boys restrooms and never have.

FTR Half the time I forget you even exist.

#15 | Posted by Tor at 2024-09-29 03:06 PM

Walz and Harris do complement each other with joy and silliness.. Both act with such complete foolishness that neither are equipped to be leaders of our country.

#16 | Posted by Robson at 2024-09-30 07:35 AM

MAGAts post 100% pure BS because they believe that everyone is as stupid as they are.

#17 | Posted by Hans at 2024-09-30 07:51 AM

neither are equipped to be leaders of our country.

#16 | Posted by Robson

Like you aren't equipped to be a human being?

Human or AI, you're scum.

#18 | Posted by Zed at 2024-09-30 08:26 AM

Please! Neither Walz nor Harris act like serious human beings and leaders. They are both afflicted with a giddy but phoney silliness that they call JOY! They should be doing the opening dialogue to new kindergartners.

#19 | Posted by Robson at 2024-09-30 10:20 AM

Joy is a breath of fresh air compared to the grumpy trumpy crap we gave been forced to endure since 2015.

#20 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-09-30 10:30 AM

Hey I once voted as an independent where I viewed alternating politics as potentially a good thing. I was never a Bush Cheney war monger voter. But that was before we were stuck with the true Marxist joyful incompetence of Biden Harris. They both see JOY as globalism, poverty, and an open border where criminals from 3rd world can WALZ in.

Make no mistake that this new version of Democrats is a much bigger threat to every American than Bush Cheney.

#21 | Posted by Robson at 2024-09-30 10:51 AM

#21 | Posted by Robson

Human or AI, you're scum.

#22 | Posted by Zed at 2024-09-30 11:18 AM

Human or AI, you're scum.

That applies to Commondolt as well.

#25 | Posted by tonyroma at 2024-09-30 11:39 AM

E7 and up do nothing useful.

#24 | Posted by commnotes

I know quite a few E-7s and up. I know exactly what they have done and what they do.

You've never been in the service.

#26 | Posted by Zed at 2024-09-30 12:20 PM

You've never been in the service.

Not past E-6 at least. Sounds bitter.

#27 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-09-30 12:37 PM

Race to the bottom.

#28 | Posted by commnotes a

Relax. You made it.

#29 | Posted by Zed at 2024-09-30 01:13 PM

MAGAts post and re-post 100% BS because they believe that everyone is as gullible and stupid as they are.

Always remember that when dealing with MAGAts, you're dealing with people who support a convicted felon and an adjudicated rapist.

The convicted felon and adjudicated rapist was also impeached, twice.

The Kumquat Pol Pot bankrupted business after business (including, now, the Republican National Committee) and he bankrupted five (5) casinos (Just how in the name of all that is holy does anyone bankrupt a casino, a money-making machine for its owners?).

DonOld lies so much that he has to invent new lies in order to "support" his previous lies. ("We're signing a health-care plan within two weeks, a full and complete health-care plan," which Trump pledged in a July 20, 2020 interview with "Fox News Sunday" anchor Chris Wallace | "THEY'RE EATING THE DOGS AND CATS").

The sloppy-seconds of politics, Benedict Donald, worships/fears the former head of the KGB in the former communist Soviet Union. Mrs. Putin believes the former head of the KGB in the former communist Soviet Union over America's own intelligence services.

Cadet Bone Spur hates, hates, the military and the men and women who serve this country so valiantly. "Suckers" and "losers," he calls them. And, for the MAGAts who dispute Lil' Donny Moscow's comments, what they're doing is believing Traitor Trump over the 4 star, decorated Marine general, John Kelly. Lil' Donny Moscow actually believes that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is "better" than the Congressional Medal of Honor. And, yet, MAGAts who claim they were in the military excuse this abomination, this insult to their service to this country.

And just what is up with this dark, dystopian "The Purge" "America" that Spanky McLiarface insists is the America of today? No MAGAt can name a single country, anywhere in the world, with a better economy, or a stronger military. Nope. All MAGAts can do is parrot what their Orange Jesus says.

The reality is that the Orange turd is seeking not immunity, but impunity, and the MAGAts are more than happy to sell their souls to an absolute worthless human being (if one can really call DonOld a "human being").

So, YES, MAGAts post and re-post 100% BS because they believe that everyone is as gullible and stupid as they are.

#30 | Posted by Hans at 2024-09-30 01:14 PM

Those who investigate Stolen Valor and fake vets have found that the governor is neither.

www.politico.com

#31 | Posted by Tor at 2024-09-30 03:08 PM

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