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Walz says he ‘speaks like everybody else.’ And it’s not working for the campaign.

Discussion in 'Too Hot for Swamp Gas' started by okeechobee, Oct 3, 2024.

  1. GolphinGator

    GolphinGator GC Hall of Fame

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    "Most politicians don't though" I agree with that.
     
  2. BigCypressGator1981

    BigCypressGator1981 GC Hall of Fame

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    I think a pro-Israel running mate would have dampened enthusiasm among a lot of young Democratic voters. Also historically the home state of the VP pick has traditionally been worth about 1 point in the polls.

    I’m sure it was an extremely calculated choice that was made after examining mountains of data and focus groups etc.

    I feel confident Walz was the right choice. Less potential downside, IMO.
     
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  3. duggers_dad

    duggers_dad GC Hall of Fame

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    I do like Tim’s cocaine energy.
     
  4. okeechobee

    okeechobee GC Hall of Fame

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    Walz was a bad pick if there was a vastly superior choice who was clearly willing/available and in this case, there was (Shapiro). Think of it this way: what did Walz add to Kamala? Minnesota was going to Harris anyway. Walz is not a moderate as Shapiro is considered to be by many. Perhaps Shapiro would have helped add some plausible validity to Harris' extraordinary epiphanies she has had on issues like the border, fracking, guns and more. By picking Walz, she simply confirmed what we already knew about her. She's a radical progressive. We can point out all of Walz' ridiculous stories, but the main reason he's a bad pick is because there was a much better choice sitting right there in the most crucial swing state and if there is one reflection of decision-making prowess for a chief executive, it's picking the best #2 available. She clearly did not do that and so it casts doubt on her ability as an executive, if nothing else.
     
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  5. l_boy

    l_boy 5500

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    I agree with some of the above but it’s impossible to have a good faith conversation with you because like Etgator1 you are just a mouthpiece for a tribe.

    I think she picked Walz because
    - the Palestine/Jewish thing
    - wanting a regular blue collarish white guy to balance the ticket - her and Shapiro may look like two lawyer elites in suits
    - the chemistry was better with Walz
    - Walz is less of a threat as Shapiro has his own ambitions
    - Walz seemed to be creating some buzz.

    As I’ve said I think Shapiro would have been better due to PA popularity and he is generally more moderate. But let’s be honest about the assessment and the reasons.
     
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  6. CaptUSMCNole

    CaptUSMCNole Premium Member

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    Why would Democrats strategists and people who are close to Harris' team agree to start talking to Politico about Walz's issues now?
     
  7. mikemcd810

    mikemcd810 Premium Member

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    Alternative post had Harris picked Shapiro "Kamala messed up big time picking the slick, typical elitist politician instead of the relatable down-to-earth midwesterner who would have helped her secure the blue wall. Now because she was trying to capture the Jewish vote, along with Pennsylvania, she's going to lose Wisconsin and Michigan. Terrible miscalculation by Kamala."
     
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  8. okeechobee

    okeechobee GC Hall of Fame

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    I'm being as unbiased as I can possibly be on this, because if I was a Democrat, I would be pointing out the same. Like you did with me, I agree with some of the above, but some of it I don't. For example:

    - Walz is less of a threat as Shapiro has his own ambitions - that's a hard sell that Shapiro was somehow going to usurp Harris' role as POTUS. I mean, nothing like that has ever happened before in the history of the U.S. so if Kamala was truly worried about that, it speaks to a paranoia that wasn't justifiable with any actual evidence. Perhaps Shapiro wanted to assert himself more in certain specific areas of policy, but most VPs want to have something delegated to them, so I don't think you can fault Shapiro for the same. This sounds like noise that was propagated to mask the true reason Shapiro wasn't picked.

    - the Palestine/Jewish thing - agree here, but I hope you agree with me this is a terrible reason to not pick a certain candidate as a running mate. It's borderline anti-Semitic, but it also sends the wrong message that the POTUS/VPOTUS aren't above religious differences. Making calculations based on how many of this or that religion lives in this or that state is really bad decisioning. Identity politics at its worst. And the kicker.... she can win the election without Michigan. Much more difficult to win it without PA. So the calculation was misplaced to boot.

    - Walz seemed to be creating some buzz - I don't personally recall hearing much at all about Walz before he was selected. In most of the Top 5's I saw reported, his name wasn't mentioned. If there was buzz, I must have missed it and I follow politics pretty closely. I'm not saying he's a total unknown, but... yeah, he's pretty close to it. Again, if you wanted buzz, Shapiro had the buzz.

    All three of these points reflect very questionable decision making ability on Kamala's part. If I was a Democrat, I'd be livid and if I had to guess, should Kamala lose, Walz will become the scapegoat.
     
  9. VAg8r1

    VAg8r1 GC Hall of Fame

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    And yet Tim Walz's favorabilty is higher than either of the presidential candidates as well as the other vice presidential candidate.
    upload_2024-10-4_15-23-36.png
    I would also add that even though he wasn't as remotely polished as JD Vance his favorables actually went up after the debate. Just maybe voters prefer a regular guy to a slick performer.
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2024
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  10. BigCypressGator1981

    BigCypressGator1981 GC Hall of Fame

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    they wouldn’t.
     
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  11. Trickster

    Trickster VIP Member

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    Gosh, but for board rules, I could answer that question. Suffice it to say you are too hyper-partisan....probably more so than just about anyone of this site.
     
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  12. okeechobee

    okeechobee GC Hall of Fame

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    Too hyper-partisan like if I was in the Senate, I'd be ranked the most conservative senator out of 100?
     
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  13. okeechobee

    okeechobee GC Hall of Fame

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    [​IMG]
     
  14. g8trjax

    g8trjax GC Hall of Fame

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    upload_2024-10-5_6-8-6.jpeg
     
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  15. gatorchamps960608

    gatorchamps960608 GC Hall of Fame

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    Trump needed a new VP because the prior one didn't appreciate him conspiring to kill him.
     
  16. Trickster

    Trickster VIP Member

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    You just don't - and intellectually can't - get it.
     
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  17. VAg8r1

    VAg8r1 GC Hall of Fame

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    And yet between the two presidential candidates and the two vice presidential candidates Tim Walz has the highest favorability ratings. As far as dumb is concerned no candidate can hold a candle to the guy who talks about batteries and sharks, wind mills, and last but not least a fictional cannibal.
     
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  18. CaptUSMCNole

    CaptUSMCNole Premium Member

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    So you are saying Politico made the story up?
     
  19. chemgator

    chemgator GC Hall of Fame

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    This seems like a fun game.

    "I need a V.P. who's not a rapist like I am."


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    You could also go with "I need a V.P. who is not a Racist like I am." Followed by "Not so fast, Mr. Vance! Just kidding--you're my V.P."
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2024
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  20. chemgator

    chemgator GC Hall of Fame

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    Also, Shapiro has no military experience, and Walz does. That counts in states that have military bases and have large numbers of (normal, not weird) conservatives.
     
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