Walz may help reorient the US Democratic campaign

Significance

While not an obvious choice as vice-presidential running mate for Harris, Walz offers connections to several elements of the coalition that makes up the Democratic Party and a potentially effective response to rhetoric from the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance.

Impacts

• Some of the initial wave of party enthusiasm for Harris reflected relief that President Joe Biden had chosen to end his re-election bid.
• Harris and Walz must now face the same combination of issues that had Biden trailing Trump even before his June 27 debate performance.
• More than is usual for a vice-presidential running mate, Democrats will rely on Walz to lead the attack on the Republican ticket.