Although many progressives in Minnesota were pleased with Kamala Harris’ selection of Gov. Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate, the choice also faced skepticism from certain anti-Trump commentators on Tuesday, with some questioning whether he was a “safe pick.”
CNN analyst Van Jones speculated on Tuesday that antisemitism within the Democratic Party may have influenced Harris’ decision to forgo Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish.
“Is it solely because he’s a moderate, or is there an underlying anti-Jewish bias at play?” Jones queried after learning of Harris’ decision to choose Walz.
“There is an element of antisemitism that has woven its way into this party. It is indeed possible to support Palestinians without being anti-Jewish, but there are elements of genuine anti-Jewish bigotry present,” Jones remarked later in the discussion. “There’s a sense of disquiet now, and it’s important to consider how much of this decision may have capitulated to the more unsavory factions within the party.”
Media commentators from CNN and MSNBC weighed in on VP Harris’ choice of Gov. Walz. (Left: (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bezos Courage and Civility Awards), Center: (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images), Right: (Photo by Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty Images))
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Jones noted that there was considerable cheer from conservatives regarding Walz’s selection, describing it as “not a good sign.”
“What concerns me is that I’ve observed a feeling of relief among conservatives. They seemed worried about Josh Shapiro and [Arizona Sen.] Mark Kelly, fearing these choices could shift Kamala more toward center,” he stated.
Former Ohio governor and MSNBC analyst John Kasich expressed that the selection tilted the Democratic ticket further left.
“I believed Shapiro would have been beneficial for them. I was taken aback that they chose this individual,” he remarked. “By selecting Walz, they have effectively branded themselves as progressive ideologically. Whether that resonates with voters remains to be seen.”
MSNBC’s Charlie Sykes asserted that Walz was not a safe choice due to his lack of appeal to centrist voters. The prominent anti-Trump voice indicated that the party appeared to prioritize rallying its progressive base, potentially at the expense of Pennsylvania, a pivotal state in elections since no candidate has won the presidency without it since George W. Bush in 2004.
“Let’s take a moment to breathe; this wasn’t a safe pick,” he said. “Josh Shapiro seemed to be the obvious choice for two key reasons. Firstly, Pennsylvania is a critical swing state with 19 electoral votes. Secondly, Shapiro could attract centrist voters. The current decision indicates a strategy focused on energizing the base rather than reaching out to centrists.”
MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes expressed doubts over Gov. Walz being a “safe” VP selection for Kamala Harris. (Screenshot/MSNBC)
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The MSNBC analyst also indicated that Harris’ decision-making process would likely be scrutinized.
“I suspect there will be considerable focus on the reasoning behind this decision. Again, Josh Shapiro was such a logical choice but faced harsh online criticism from the left due to his stance on Israel. I must highlight that his views are aligned with those of the other candidates, except for the fact that Shapiro is Jewish. There may be questions regarding whether they wavered or were excessively swayed by the vocal anti-Israeli sentiment online to eliminate Shapiro,” Sykes noted.
CNN’s David Axelrod spoke positively of Walz while brushing off concerns that he was too progressive.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged, “He doesn’t contribute to winning a state,” referencing Minnesota’s consistent support for Democratic candidates since 1972.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks at a press conference about new gun legislation at City Hall on August 1, 2024 in Bloomington, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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CNN’s S.E. Cupp noted that Walz did cater to the progressive faction within the party, securing endorsements from Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Cupp remarked that the initial positivity surrounding Harris and Walz would fade, and both would eventually face Republican attacks, as well as media scrutiny.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, co-host of “The View” and CNN political analyst, described Harris’ selection as an “extraordinary missed opportunity.”
She weighed the advantages and disadvantages of Walz, noting that he is “not perceived as a moderating force” on the Democratic ticket.
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“My concerns about Harris are that she is exceptionally poor at public speaking and often makes questionable political choices. To date, she hasn’t done much to alleviate these fears. I’m not claiming she can’t win, but I wish she inspired more confidence,” Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle commented on social media regarding the choice.
Multiple commentators took to X to share their thoughts on the Walz selection.
Former CNN correspondent Chris Cillizza remarked, “Such an odd choice,” while MSNBC’s Brendan Buck commented that the pick feels “very much like 2019.”
“While the VP choice may not hold great significance, I believe it reflects poorly on her judgment,” Buck stated on X.
Walz recently described his opponents, former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance, as “weird,” a term that has been repeatedly used in attacks on the Republican ticket.
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“The extremists rely on us to retreat, but we refuse to be intimidated by weird individuals,” Walz said at a recent event. “We may find it a bit unsettling, yet we are not afraid.”
Walz also faced criticism for instructing a group of men during a “White Dudes for Harris” call to embrace their progressive beliefs.
“Never shy away from our progressive principles,” the Minnesota Democrat urged during the call last week. “One person’s idea of socialism can be another’s vision of community spirit.”
Fox News’ Brian Flood and Gabriel Hays contributed to this report.
