Additional Coverage:
Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Tuesday her choice of running mate, selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, thereby ending weeks of speculation. The announcement was accompanied by Governor Walz’s first speech as VP candidate, during which he did not shy away from directly targeting his opposition, specifically Senator JD Vance.
Governor Walz critiqued Vance, drawing sharp contrasts between their backgrounds and views on Middle America. He highlighted that unlike Vance, his own roots and values align more closely with the everyday experiences of people from the heartland. Walz sarcastically remarked on Vance’s elite education and venture capital connections, pointing out the irony in Vance’s critical portrayal of the same community in his bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Additionally, Walz expressed eagerness to debate Vance, jesting about whether Vance would leave the comfort of his home to participate. This comment played into a viral social media joke about Vance, which falsely claimed he had once used a latex glove inappropriately, a story Vance has denied and which has no factual basis.
Overall, Governor Walz used the opportunity to firmly position himself as a true representative of Middle America, ready to challenge his rivals in the upcoming debates. Requests for comments from the representatives of both Walz and Vance regarding these statements were not immediately returned.