Mark Hemingway of the Federalist responds to Vice President Kamala Harris’ selection of a running mate.
Prior to two weeks ago, Kamala Harris’ political career was defined by two things: Being America’s most liberal senator and the most unpopular vice president since we started polling.
The popularity problem was easy enough to solve. After she was dubiously installed as the Democratic standard bearer, the media charm offensive and meme onslaught began. Harris now has a degree of superficial popularity such that she’s not the toxic figure she was a few months ago.
Of course, that could change. Incredibly, Kamala Harris captured her party nomination through a bizarre process before she even answered a single question from a reporter. Everything Harris has done so far has been scripted and staged, and the voting public hasn’t been confronted with her off-putting demeanor and legendary verbal vapidity. You can bemoan how unethical and artificial this P.R. campaign was, but so far it’s been effective enough.
That leaves the problem of Kamala’s radical politics. Whitewashing her record here is no easy feat. …
… Her current campaign’s way of getting around this problem is almost admirable in terms of it’s brazenness. They’re just issuing generic statements announcing Harris has flip-flopped on several major issues which happen to be toxic in swing states such as illegal immigration, single-payer healthcare, and fracking. …
… Enter Tim Walz. There’s a lot to be said about why he was chosen. Even CNN pundits are openly saying that the selection of Walz over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is evidence of the fact antisemitism dictates who can be on a Democratic ticket. He also has a modicum of charisma, ensuring he’d outshine the lightweight Harris. …
… Walz, on the other hand, is very liberal and has the governing record to match. There’s no honest way to massage what he’s about.
