Kamala Harris’s selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate has generated excitement among Democrats across the party. While this choice is seen as a move to unite the Democratic Party, it also suggests a potential shift in President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel’s war in Gaza.
Walz brings a strong counterpoint to Republican vice presidential pick J.D. Vance. As a small-town Midwesterner, Walz has built a political career in the progressive wing of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. His recent popularity surge can be attributed to his matter-of-fact tone in criticizing conservatives during TV appearances.
However, it’s important to consider what Walz represents by looking at what he is not, according to James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute. Zogby contrasts Walz with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was a frontrunner for Harris’s running mate. Zogby believes that choosing Walz over Shapiro indicates a positive approach from Harris towards the world.
Zogby explains that Walz will not impede Harris’s efforts to turn a corner on policy, especially regarding the war in Gaza and pro-Palestinian protests in the U.S. Shapiro has faced criticism from the progressive wing of the party for his aggressive responses to campus protesters advocating for divestment from Israel. Walz, on the other hand, has shown a softer approach to protesters critical of Israel’s war, aligning more with Harris’s stance.
Walz’s support from prominent progressive members of his state, such as Rep. Ilhan Omar and Attorney General Keith Ellison, further reinforces his alignment with Harris’s views. Zogby highlights Walz’s respect for the empathy demonstrated by demonstrators on college campuses for the suffering of people in Gaza, which resonates with Harris’s own statements.
The issue of Palestine and Israel continues to divide Democrats, according to Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy. Duss believes that Harris’s choice of Walz reflects her stance on these dividing issues. He notes her speech in March, where she pressed the Israeli government for more humanitarian aid to Palestinians, as evidence of her increased attention to their plight.
Duss acknowledges that there is a growing constituency within the Democratic Party that takes Palestinian rights more seriously than in previous years. By choosing Walz over Shapiro, Harris shows that she is listening to this movement. However, Duss hopes to see more clarity from Harris and Walz in the future regarding their stance on Gaza and Palestine.
Peter Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, emphasizes that it is unclear how much pressure from the pro-Palestinian movement influenced Harris’s decision. He suggests that personal preference and Walz’s momentum may have played a role. Beinart will closely watch whether Harris and Walz advocate for conditioning U.S. military aid to Israel, a policy Biden strongly opposed during his campaign.
Beinart acknowledges that the perception of pro-Palestinian influence within the Democratic Party is unprecedented. However, he points out that being pro-Israel is still politically advantageous for members of Congress seeking reelection. He cites the opposition faced by Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Rep. Cori Bush as examples.
Walz’s progressive record as governor, including his pro-labor views and support for various laws, signals Harris’s commitment to the party’s post-neoliberal swing. His antiwar record while in Congress, opposing the war in Syria and supporting the repeal of the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, further aligns with the progressive direction of the party.
In conclusion, Harris’s selection of Walz as her running mate not only aims to unite the Democratic Party but also suggests a potential shift in Biden’s stance on Israel’s war in Gaza. Walz’s progressive record and softer approach to protesters critical of Israel align with Harris’s views. The choice reflects the growing constituency within the party that takes Palestinian rights more seriously. However, more clarity is needed from Harris and Walz regarding their stance on Gaza and Palestine.
