Even Democrats are raising eyebrows.
Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential pick drew mixed reactions. While some progressives welcomed the choice, others, including certain critics in the media, expressed reservations. CNN commentator Van Jones questioned whether antisemitism within the Democratic Party influenced Harris’ decision to overlook Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish.
Jones suggested that the choice of Walz might reflect a bias against Shapiro. He remarked, “There’s some antisemitism that has crept into the party. While it’s possible to support Palestinians without harboring anti-Jewish sentiments, there are certainly some anti-Jewish elements present.” He expressed concern that the decision could be a concession to these problematic views and noted that conservatives seemed relieved by Walz’s selection, implying it was a favorable outcome for them.
Former Ohio Governor and MSNBC contributor John Kasich argued that Walz’s selection pushed the Democratic ticket further left, contrasting with what he believed would have been a more centrist choice in Shapiro. Kasich remarked, “I was surprised by the choice of Walz. It seems to signal a more progressive stance, which may or may not be effective politically.”
MSNBC’s Charlie Sykes critiqued the choice for not appealing to centrist voters, emphasizing that Shapiro might have been a more strategic pick given Pennsylvania’s critical role in presidential elections. Sykes pointed out that Walz’s selection might indicate a prioritization of energizing the party’s progressive base over winning swing voters, suggesting that Harris’s decision could be scrutinized for potentially yielding to the more vocal segments of the party’s left wing.
CNN’s David Axelrod defended Walz, downplaying claims that he was too progressive but acknowledged that Walz might not help in winning crucial swing states, given Minnesota’s recent voting history. Meanwhile, CNN’s S.E. Cupp noted that Walz’s alignment with progressive figures like Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Bernie Sanders satisfied the party’s left wing but warned that Harris and Walz would face scrutiny and criticism from Republicans and the media.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a co-host of “The View” and CNN political commentator, labeled Harris’s choice as a “missed opportunity,” pointing out that Walz was not seen as a moderating influence on the Democratic ticket.
