Naming Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) to the Democratic ticket puts Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) in a difficult position that might highlight his "weirdness," conservative Bulwark editor Charlie Sykes said Tuesday.
After the running mate choice was shared, Sykes told MSNBC that the governor's "impressive biography and knack as a "gifted communicator" could be making Vance sweat.
He said Walz isn't the "safe" pick the way that Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) would be, but he has a lot more to offer that Vance — who, he added, is dealing with some "buyer's remorse" from his party.
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"It's not obvious to me what he brings," Sykes said of Vance. "On paper, I suppose the Trump campaign is thinking that J.D. Vance will appeal to white working-class voters in places like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, as well. I think the weirdness may drown that out."
By contrast, Walz has room to brand himself anew, he explained.
"Tim Walz, I think — you know, is not that well-known in a place like Wisconsin. But again, on paper should be able to appeal to that beer track voter as opposed to the wine track voter, kind of the working-class, rural white voters who have been drifting away from the Republican Party," said Sykes.
He pointed out an analysis from numbers guru Steve Kornacki, who pointed out Vance has failed to move Minnesota polls.
"But again, you know, running for president or vice president is very, very different than running for governor, and the spotlight will be much brighter, and Tim Walz will have a much wider scope to present himself to these voters," Sykes explained.
He anticipated that most voters don't know Walz, which opens up some opportunities.
See the discussion below or at the link here.
'Weirdness may drown that out': Charlie Sykes thinks Walz beats Vance in the Midwest youtu.be
