The Politics of Joy, Version Two: The New Running Mate, Tim Walz, is Pretty Normal
A white guy and black/south Asian woman, kindred spirits?
Joy is easy. But winning is not. Kamala Harris chose her running mate this week and it appears she chose based on personal chemistry. That tells me that she chose a man she will be able to work with over the long term. Not just someone who can deliver a state or constituency, though he may help with that.
One supporter, who knew him as a teacher and successful high school sports coach, described him as both practical and goofy when acting as a motivator. Coach Walz, as many know Tim Walz in Minnesota, probably considers that a compliment.
Practical we get, but goofy makes him human. He was the first to describe Trump and Vance as weird and it didn’t sound like a planned soundbite created by a team of campaign message creators. Though it certainly became one as other politicians realized this was the kind of statement that might cut through the Trump anger and fear message.
It said, just step back and look at these guys, they are weird. That meme will pass because it has a limited shelf life for being effective. But it set a tone for the Harris/Walz ticket that also said, we are going to remind you what these people really are.
