Tim Walz didn't just fall out of a coconut tree

Will Kamala Harris's VP pick unite Democrats?   [Tim Walz, smiling and speaking past the shoulder of another man.] Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Hello, Vice President Kamala Harris entered the presidential race a little over two weeks ago as an [underdog](. Since then, Democrats have captured new energy from their base and Harris’s polling has only [gotten better](. Now Harris has made her first major decision as the Democratic nominee, choosing a vice-presidential running mate of her own. After weeks of [speculation]( — with names like Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro floated as contenders — Harris picked Tim Walz, a small-town veteran, former member of the House, and the current governor of Minnesota. Senior correspondent Zack Beauchamp argues that [Walz's selection is a victory for the left, even if Walz isn’t a leftist](. In fact, Beauchamp writes that Walz has taken more moderate positions on a number of hot-button issues: "Record-wise, it might seem like there are two Tim Walzes: the [progressive governor]( beloved by the American left, and the [centrist member of Congress]( who predated him. Yet in actuality, the two men are easier to reconcile than you might think. The 'Minnesota Miracle' reforms, enacted in a single legislative session, read like a progressive wishlist. They include paid family leave, free school meals, marijuana legalization, a 100 percent clean energy mandate by 2040, and a slew of protections for organized labor. But I use the word 'progressive' and not its cousin 'leftist' deliberately. The Minnesota Miracle policies are all squarely within the Democratic mainstream: none betray an ideological commitment to the party’s socialist or otherwise radical wings." "Record-wise, it might seem like there are two Tim Walzes: the [progressive governor]( beloved by the American left, and the [centrist member of Congress]( who predated him. Yet in actuality, the two men are easier to reconcile than you might think. The 'Minnesota Miracle' reforms, enacted in a single legislative session, read like a progressive wishlist. They include paid family leave, free school meals, marijuana legalization, a 100 percent clean energy mandate by 2040, and a slew of protections for organized labor. But I use the word 'progressive' and not its cousin 'leftist' deliberately. The Minnesota Miracle policies are all squarely within the Democratic mainstream: none betray an ideological commitment to the party’s socialist or otherwise radical wings." The Trump campaign has targeted Walz’s handling of the Black Lives Matter protests in his state. Senior reporter Christian Paz breaks down [what Walz actually did in 2020](. Meanwhile, senior correspondent Eric Levitz explores [whether Harris made the right pick]( in choosing Walz over Shapiro, her other reported finalist and the popular governor in a crucial swing state. With 90 days until the US election, there will undoubtedly be more to unpack in the coming months. Vox needs your support to continue producing in-depth explainers and thoughtful analysis that address your most difficult questions. To support our independent journalism through this critical period, consider giving a gift or becoming a Vox Member. [Support our journalism](   [Read the latest stories]( [The left loves Tim Walz. Can he unite the Democrats?]( Zack Beauchamp [As a non-leftist beloved by the left, Walz is ideally suited to expand Harris’s appeal across the ideological spectrum.](   Will Kamala Harris regret picking Tim Walz over Josh Shapiro?]( Eric Levitz [The case for — and against — Harris’s first big decision.](   [How Tim Walz actually handled the George Floyd protests in Minnesota]( Christian Paz [Harris’s running mate oversaw much of the law enforcement response to this historic period of civil unrest.](   EXPLAINED 🎧 [It's Tim Walz]( [The governor of Minnesota is Kamala Harris’s running mate. Minnesota Public Radio’s Dana Ferguson and Vox’s Andrew Prokop explain the Democratic ticket.](   [Become a Member](   [Vox logo]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. [Unsubscribe]( from this email or [manage your email preferences](. View our [Privacy Notice]( and our [Terms of Service](. [View this email in your browser]([.]( Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.