- Harris and Waltz debut - "We got the momentum"
Under thunderous applause, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her newly chosen running mate, Tim Walz, made their first joint appearance at a campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, kicking off a tour through politically pivotal states that could play a crucial role in the November election.
"We are the underdogs in this race," Harris said about the campaign against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance. Though she only stepped into the spotlight two weeks ago following President Joe Biden's decision not to run for re-election, she believes they have the momentum and knows exactly what they're up against.
With Walz by her side, Harris said she has a leader who is "the kind of vice president that America deserves." The 59-year-old praised Walz's political record, highlighting his support for military veterans, unions, abortion rights, and stricter gun laws. Just hours earlier, she had chosen him as her running mate.
Walz, 60, has been the governor of Minnesota since 2019 and previously served as a representative in the House. Before entering politics, he was a teacher. A married father of two, Walz is known for his down-to-earth nature and direct communication style. His wife, Gwen, is also a teacher.
Walz immediately goes on the offensive
In his new role, Walz wasted no time in attacking the Republican opposition. The 60-year-old mocked Trump and Vance, accusing them of dishonesty. "Donald Trump isn't fighting for you or your family," Walz said of the former president, adding, "He's never sat at a kitchen table like the one I grew up with, wondering how to pay the bills. He was at his country club in Mar-a-Lago, figuring out how to cut taxes for his wealthy friends."
Of Vance, Walz said sarcastically, "Like all the normal people I grew up with in the heartland, J.D. went to Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a bestseller trashing the people of his home state."
Trump calls them a "radical duo"
Before their appearance, Trump had criticized Harris and Walz on his Truth Social platform, calling them "the most radical duo in American history." He also referred to Harris as "crazy."
Vance, Trump's running mate, has had a rocky start in recent weeks. Speaking to reporters, he echoed Trump's words, saying Walz's addition underscores "how radical Kamala Harris is" and that she's "aligned with the Hamas wing of her own party."
Walz is particularly supported by the left wing of the Democratic Party, which advocates for a more critical stance on Israel than the party's center. Walz himself has been relatively quiet on the Middle East situation so far.
Support for him also came from within the party, including from former US President Barack Obama. He praised his party colleague Harris' choice of an "ideal partner". Walz has "the values and integrity to make us proud." US President Biden also expressed approval: The duo will ensure that "America continues to lead the world and maintain its role as an indispensable nation."
After their tour through the particularly hotly contested "swing states," Harris and Walz are expected to attend the Democratic Party's national convention from August 19 to 22 in Chicago. Harris' official nomination was originally supposed to take place there but was brought forward for bureaucratic reasons and handled digitally.
Following her remarks, Harris commended Walz, saying, "As America's vice president, Tim Walz will be the kind of leader we need." Subsequently, Trump, in his criticism, directly targeted both Harris and Walz, labeling them as the "most radical duo in American history."
