Don’t believe the naysayers — Tim Walz is an asset to the Harris campaign

This is an adapted excerpt from the Aug. 6 episode of “Morning Joe.”

Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate. And I, for one, think it’s a great pick.

Republicans are already pushing back on Walz — trying to paint the governor as some far-left progressive. But that’s just not the case. In reality, Walz grounds the vice president in a way that will really matter to voters, especially those not on the coasts.

When Walz served in the House, he was elected in a very moderate district. There are many parts of Minnesota where it’s not easy to get elected as a Democrat, and he represented one of them.

He is much more moderate than people are giving him credit for. Although some believed Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was the more moderate choice for the Democratic ticket, I challenge folks to find issues where Shapiro and Walz have major disagreements.

Walz is not a coastal elite guy. He’s not an Ivy Leaguer. This is a guy who says things like, “You’d lose your hair, too, if you supervise a high school lunchroom for 20 years.” This is a guy who can give you advice on how to fix your car. He’s a guy who served more than two decades in the National Guard.

Tim Walz is a man who has served his country admirably. And he’s going to be a real asset to the Harris campaign.

What I think made the difference here is Walz’s way of communicating. He is joyful when he’s on the attack. He almost does it with a wink and a smile. He has a sense of humor when he is going after these guys.

And that’s what Harris needs. 

She needs somebody who will keep the lightness in her campaign, somebody who will be a happy warrior — and that’s Tim Walz. He is one happy warrior, and I think he’s a terrific pick.

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