WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) – When U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris interviewed Tim Walz to be her running mate for the Democratic presidential ticket, the Minnesota governor asked her, “How can I help?,” two sources close to the process said.
His primary focus on supporting her – rather than asking how much power he would have in the role – was a big point in his favor, they said.
In the weeks since, Walz has tried to burnish Harris’ image on the campaign trail, lauding a woman derided by her Republican rival Donald Trump and some of his supporters for her ready laugh for “bringing back the joy” to U.S. politics.
Supportive Democrats say he is a model of masculinity for modern America, a man comfortable reporting to a woman, capable of using his ‘white privilege’ to boost women of color and promote reproductive rights while also enjoying hunting, fishing and fixing cars.
Republicans have challenged his military record, economic policies, and support of left-leaning social movements and ideas, including on women and LGBTQ issues. After Harris chose Walz, Trump’s senior adviser Stephen Miller nicknamed him “Tampon Tim” on X, mocking a law Walz signed as governor that requires schools to supply pads, tampons or other products for “all menstruating students” in restrooms, language meant to include trans students.
Asked about the role of Walz as Harris’ supporter, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, “Walz is obsessed with spreading California’s dangerously liberal agenda far and wide.”
But Walz’s support of women, and particularly a Black woman, is part of his appeal to the political left during an election when abortion rights are front and center and polls show a widening gender gap, with women, especially younger ones, embracing the Democratic Party, Democratic strategists say.
“He’s doing masculinity the right way,” said Cameron Landin, 20, a delegate from Georgia who saw Walz at a Hispanic Caucus meeting on Monday. “He is playing a supportive role to Vice President Harris, to the whole party, by bringing in energy, while not necessarily trying to take over and dominate,” he added.”
She’s Gladys Knight and he’s the Pip,” said Sheletta Brundidge, a Minnesota podcaster and newspaper columnist, speaking of the 1950s soul group that featured a frontwoman and male backup singers. “He will clap for her and that’s something Black women have not gotten in America in a million … years.”
On Wednesday, as he accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination, Walz paused for a moment to take it all in and then said: “Thank you, first of all, to Vice President Harris. Thanks for putting your trust in me, and for inviting me to be part of this incredible campaign.”
He went on to outline the policies that Harris would pursue if elected, ranging from tax cuts for middle class families to lower drug prices and safeguarding personal freedoms, repeating Harris’ name.