Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made headlines this week when he addressed Harvard’s Institute of Politics, where he made the simple fact of his selection as Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential running mate on the Democratic ticket for the 2024 presidential election. Speaking before a room of students and members of faculty at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Walz addressed why Harris had selected him as her running mate.
As per Walz, his white working-class voter cultural and identity connection was the determining factor.
“I could code-talk to white guys watching football, fixing their truck,” Walz explained. “I was the permission structure to say, ‘Look, you can do this and vote for this.'”
Democratic Outreach Strategy: Walz Tapped to Reconnect with White Working-Class Male Voters
The governor’s words are part of a broader Democratic strategy of reclaiming rural, working-class voters and white men who have deserted the party in recent years. Harris’s campaign, which was primarily seen as an effort to energize a fractured Democratic base, relied on Walz to gain traction with a constituency falling increasingly solidly behind Republicans.
Walz, a lifelong southern Minnesotan, former sergeant, and high school football coach in the National Guard, has middle-American charm. His down-home style, military service and background, and country upbringing were all attributes the Harris campaign wanted to exploit in establishing beachheads in Midwestern battleground states.
Election Reflections: Walz Still “Shocked” That Voters Did Not Turn Out for Harris, Says She Was the “Most Qualified” Candidate
Walz continued to bemoan the results of the elections, where the Harris-Walz ticket lost in November 2024.
“I’m still shocked that this country didn’t vote for what I consider to be the most qualified person in United States history,” Walz said, referring to Kamala Harris.
Despite extensive efforts to build up the Democratic coalition, the campaign struggled to overcome economic concerns, foreign policy skepticism, and what many analysts called voter fatigue from the Biden administration.
Communicating Across Cultural Divides: Walz Talks About Why “Speaking Their Language” Matters
Walz also acted during the campaign as a cultural ambassador, charged with reaching out to voters whose values and media use were not typically aligned with the Democratic mainstream. At Harvard, he openly discussed having to “speak the language” of working-class communities, figuratively and literally, through narrative and symbolic action.
“I get it,” Walz told the audience. “A lot of folks aren’t watching MSNBC. They’re watching ESPN or TikTok or just trying to make ends meet.”
He also talked about leaning into his Midwestern roots during the campaign, like in a viral spot where he quipped that the “white guy taco”- ground beef and cheese – and playfully noted that “black pepper is the top of the spice level in Minnesota.”
Though some enjoyed the self-deprecation, others criticized the segment for playing into cultural stereotypes.
Campaign Controversies: Walz Was Criticized for Menstrual Equity and Skimping Town Halls
Walz’s campaign involvement was not free of controversy. He became known as “Tampon Tim” to right-wing commentators when he supported a bill that required public schools to provide menstrual items in restrooms, including boys’ restrooms.
The Harris campaign justified the bill as part of a broader movement towards fairness and access to education. Opponents framed it, meanwhile, as typical of a party that had lost its senses about middle-ground issues.
Walz was also criticized for conducting closed-door veterans’ roundtables during the campaign and for missing several public town halls. He rationalized the strategy as necessary for productive discussion, although transparency activists had cause for concern.
Reviving the Democratic Brand: Walz Urges the Party to Reconnect with Its Working-Class Roots
In defeat, Walz used his Harvard podium to issue a clarion call to Democrats to redefine their identity and rebuild trust among working-class voters on racial and geographic grounds. He asserted the necessity of setting out a vision of government that is about personal liberty, fairness, and practical solutions.
“We need to reclaim who we are as a party of opportunity, of dignity, of everyday Americans,” Walz said. “If we leave that vacuum, someone like Donald Trump will fill it again.”
Road to 2028: Walz Calls for Unity and Infrastructure Before the Next Nominee Is Chosen
While speculating on the 2028 Democratic ticket, Walz previews his future politics. He advised Democrats not to rush too soon in picking a nominee but instead take some time working on building foundations through legislative success, public engagement, and a consistent national message.
“We can’t afford to lose sight of the basics,” he said. “Before we find the face, we need to fix the foundation.”
While Walz has left the door open for a presidential bid in the future, his recent comments indicate that he views his position as more of a bridge builder than a candidate.
The speech followed a panicked week of political spin, with Walz’s words circulating far and wide on social media and eliciting admiration and vitriol. Yet his appeal to reform and appeal to disillusioned voters cut across party lines, especially in a nation still reeling from political conflict and cultural venom.
As one of the students present said, “You might not like what he’s saying, but at least he’s saying it to people who feel ignored.”
