Donald Trump, infamous for his loose relationship with honesty, was potentially right when he recently suggested that the significance of vice-presidential candidates tends to be overstated. Consequently, we should interpret the recent nomination of Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, as Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential running mate as pivotal, but not decisive, in the fight for the US presidency.
However, this selection does reveal additional insights into the campaign’s tactics. Remarkably well-organised even under the rushed circumstances following Joe Biden’s resignation, the campaign hasn’t made substantial missteps yet.
Harris’s strategy largely revolves around unifying various segments. Initially, she recouped the support lost by Biden after his gruelling debate performance. She further managed to regain and stir up enthusiasm amongst crucial fractions of the Democratic supporter base, with younger voters, African-Americans and liberals forming the major part. Although, at some stage, a broader appeal to independent and undecided voters will be necessary, this tactic has so far been rewarding, with Harris once again becoming a strong contender in an election that appeared unreachable a month back.
Tim Walz’s nomination aids in minimising the danger of internal party conflicts on the Gaza crisis, with fears of reignition if Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, an ardent Israel patron, had been chosen. Bernie Sanders and Alexandra Ocasio Cortez, prominent left party figures, have also voiced their backing for Walz.
While the Republican camp has labelled the vice-presidential pick as an excuse to intensify assaults on a supposedly radical left-wing duo, Walz’s down-to-earth disposition and biography, rooted in the Midwest, should counteract these critiques. However, his actions as governor during the violent periods following the 2020 George Floyd police killing incident in Minneapolis, Minnesota, will undeniably be scrutinised thoroughly.
Harris and Walz are currently embarking on a journey through key swing states ahead of the Democratic National Convention, slated for August 19th in Chicago. Their strategy is straightforward: sustain the momentum that has brought them on par with the Republicans and hope that the popularity surge following the convention will push them to the forefront by Labour Day, September 2nd, when the nationwide campaign usually kicks off.
Conversely, Republicans seem to be struggling at the moment. A surprising personal attack from Trump directed at Georgia’s well-liked Republican Governor, Brian Kemp and his wife at a rally in Atlanta last weekend, unsettled his party. This kind of infighting gave Biden, along with two Democratic senate seats from the state, a victory in 2020, and such an outcome may repeat itself. However, at some stage, the party is likely to realign its energies towards attaining a win that currently appears tantalisingly achievable for both parties.