No images? Click here 7 August 2024The 46th | Harris taps “folksy” Walz as her VP in overture to Middle AmericaVice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, as her campaign looks to expand her coalition in critical rustbelt and Midwestern swing states. Governor Walz, 60, is a former school teacher and football coach with a “folksy” Midwestern manner that Democrats hope will appeal to white, blue-collar men – a demographic Democrats have hemorrhaged in recent election cycles. Governor Walz beat out Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for the job, after meeting with Harris for a sit-down interview on Sunday where they reportedly clicked. Governor Shapiro had been widely tipped as the top VP contender given his reputation as a pragmatic centrist – and his popularity in Pennsylvania, which Democrats will need to carry alongside Michigan and Wisconsin if they are to win in November. While Governor Walz’s folksy image may help to balance the Harris campaign in swing states, the campaign will have to withstand attacks from the Trump campaign over Governor Walz’s progressive record. His state of Minnesota was ground zero for the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, and he was criticised over how he handled them. It remains to be seen whether centrist voters will focus more on his record as a veteran and high-school teacher or his progressive stance on other issues like abortion and transgender care. SPECIAL FEATUREHarris' VP pick: Tim Walz When the United States Studies Centre (USSC) hosted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his trade delegation in November, after a private meeting with Gov. Walz, USSC CEO Dr Michael Green said, “I wouldn’t be surprised to see his name on a national ticket.” Less than a year later, this prediction has come to fruition. Dr Green identified his affable charm paired with intellectual rigour as a winning combination, which has been evidenced in his adept messaging against Donald Trump and JD Vance. Read more on the visit here. Analysis
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“You know it. You feel it. These guys are creepy, and, just weird as hell." Governor Tim Walz on the Trump-Vance ticket | 6 August 2024 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Did you USSC?
BY THE NUMBERS Kamala Harris’ uphill battle in PennsylvaniaBefore the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on 13 July, a Times/Siena poll showed Kamala Harris with a 42% approval rating in Pennsylvania, compared to Donald Trump at 46%. While Harris has since experienced a bump in the polls, the Times/Siena poll is a warning of the challenge she faces in the critical swing state, which President Joe Biden only narrowly won with 50% of the vote in 2020. Her choice in folksy Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is being seen as an attempt to broaden her coalition, but is a gamble rather than choosing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to help her clinch this must-win state. Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin are viewed as central to any presidential election victory. Pennsylvania specifically has 19 electoral votes – the most out of all the ‘Blue Wall’ rustbelt states – making it a campaign prize. In recent election cycles, Pennsylvania has flipped on narrow margins, going to Donald Trump with only 44,292 votes in 2016, and to President Joe Biden with 80,555 votes in 2020. Manage your email preferences | Forward this email to a friend United States Studies Centre |