Republicans were almost giddy following Vice President Kamala Harris’ choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
In an interview with Fox News, former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany called Harris’ selection “a stunning choice” and speculated that there was “a lot of cheering at Mar-a-Lago.” McEnany explained how Walz had begun as a moderate but underwent a “radical transformation,” referring to him as a “progressive in sheep’s clothing.” She pointed at what she called his “far left policies,” including transgender surgeries for minors, a goal of having carbon-free energy by 2040, driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, and a policy that effectively allows abortion until birth.
Social media was filled with video excerpts of Walz. Here are just a few making the rounds.
“One person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness”:
The single great self-damning quote against a progressive I've seen in a long time! VP Tim Walz -> "One person's socialism is another person's neighborliness." pic.twitter.com/B8jwtNCXkK
— Justin Hart (@justin_hart) August 6, 2024
Celebrating signing into law driver’s licenses for illegal aliens:
WOW: Tim Walz Grants Driver's Licenses For Illegals
This guy is America last through and through. pic.twitter.com/w5TlNg3VuD
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 6, 2024
The Minnesota riots that burned down the city:
This was Minnesota under Gov Tim Walz: pic.twitter.com/6CCbhyOPca
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 6, 2024
Replacing the Minnesota state flag with the Somali flag:
Tim Walz *for some reason* changed the Minnesota flag, and the new one STRANGELY resembles the flag of Somalia 🤔
Maybe that’s why Somali socialist Rep. @Ilhan Omar is ECSTATIC over Harris choosing Walz
Walz wants what’s happening in the UK to happen right here in America pic.twitter.com/bLQ1sKmQJg
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 6, 2024
The Hill reports on Republicans’ reactions to Harris’ choice of the “radical leftist.” Here’s the start of the story:
Republicans are breathing a sigh of relief amid news that Vice President Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) to be her running mate.
In the run-up to Harris’ decision, Republicans had expressed anxiety over the possibility of her choosing Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), pointing to his record of winning statewide in the critical battleground and moderate record as governor.
But with Walz at the top of the ticket, Republicans are already targeting his progressive record and doubting he will be much help in appealing to swing voters in battleground states.
“Tim Walz? What a relief,” Kellyanne Conway, a former senior counselor to former President Trump, posted on X.
Trump donor Dan Eberhart echoed that sentiment in a text message following the announcement.
“I am relieved!” Eberhart wrote. “Shapiro would have been more tactical,” he added.
One national GOP operative claimed that “the collective GOP sigh of relief could blow over a house made of straw.”
Harris over the weekend interviewed Walz, Shapiro and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Kelly, who hails from a border state and a swing state, was also viewed as a potentially strong choice to undercut GOP attacks on immigration.