The first job of a running mate is to help win the election. I’m confident that with Shapiro’s help, the Democratic ticket will carry Pennsylvania. Walz might help with Wisconsin, Michigan, and perhaps even Ohio and Iowa, if Donald Trump and JD Vance’s campaign continues to deteriorate.
I’ve seen Walz likened to the fictional Ted Lasso, the coach who loves everyone and takes the team from last to first. A big part of Harris’s campaign is to create the vibe for a positive, united future for America. Her running mate is the one who is best fit to do that.
Donald J. Bermont
Concord
Democratic running mate projects character over political calculation
Reporter Sam Brodey captures the appeal of Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz (“Through his contradictions, an aura of ‘pure authenticity,’ ” Page A1, Aug. 7). What stands out about the governor of Minnesota is his connectedness with community, forged through teaching and coaching, not to mention monitoring the school lunchroom. In our current atmosphere of polarization, isn’t his character the essential qualification, going far beyond raw political calculation?
Walz comes off as an independent thinker, adapting to what the times call for, whether it’s supporting LGBTQ needs, gun safety, or climate change. He gives the impression that he is not owned by anyone, a stark contrast to the parade of Republicans across the aisle who pledge blind allegiance to their strongman leader.
MAGA is labeling him as too progressive, but if progressive means moving forward, not backward, Walz looks to be the VP for the times.
Marjorie Lee
Wayland
Harris and her team make a savvy play for the heartland
It was a stroke of genius or sheer luck for the Democrats in choosing a running mate who will almost certainly get support from those voters who are sitting on the fence, especially in America’s heartland. What’s not to like about Tim Walz?
Vice President Kamala Harris and her team are being bold — swinging for the fences instead of trying to win one particular state (and possibly sacrificing others). Kudos to them for adding renewed interest in a contest that was getting sort of … weird.
Ralph D’Agostino
Everett
Two tickets, one stark choice
Both major party tickets are procrustean, that is, the presidential and vice presidential candidates are from the same ideological mold. Donald Trump added no variability when he cast JD Vance as his running mate and neither did Kamala Harris with her choice of fellow progressive Tim Walz. This election will be a stark choice for voters, not so much for the base but for the undecided, especially in battleground states where the election will be won: Do you want unvarnished liberal Democrats or blatant conservatives to direct domestic and foreign policy?
Paul Bloustein
Cincinnati
Harris could have had him at Shapiro or Kelly. She lost him with Walz.
I would have been enthusiastic over a Kamala Harris-Josh Shapiro ticket. I would have been enthusiastic over a Kamala Harris-Mark Kelly ticket. My only enthusiasm for the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket stems from the money I’ll save by reducing my campaign contributions to their candidacy.
Stanley Spiegel
Brookline
Charisma, decency are a winning combination
“Charismatic indecency won.” Those were the first words I spoke in November 2016 when I heard that Donald Trump would be president.
On Tuesday night, watching Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota at the rally he and Vice President Kamala Harris held in Philadelphia, I found myself saying, “Maybe this time, charismatic decency will win.”
Ellen Pinsky
Cambridge
The ‘w’ word
I think that the “w” labels are silly, but I sure would rather be woke than weird.
Thomas Foley
Buzzards Bay
