"An American Midwest bro-dude vibe" - Walz shows how American men are evolving, some Democrats say

Record ID: 1836074

  • Title: "An American Midwest bro-dude vibe" - Walz shows how American men are evolving, some Democrats say
  • Date: 22nd August 2024
  • Summary: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 21, 2024) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALABAMA DELEGATE AND STATE SENATOR VIVIAN DAVIS FIGURES, SAYING: "Well I think a real man has no problem with it, and from what I have heard from and about Tim Walz, he is that real man. And I wouldn't say he is playing second fiddle because, of course, he's a coach and you've got to have that whole team working together. And he's going to have her back. She's going to need that. So I don't look at him as a second fiddle, but I look at him as her team mate and I know that is how she looks it as well, as her partner in this." (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALABAMA DELEGATE RANDY HADLEY SAYING: "Well, I believe Tim Walz is, number one, he used to be a football coach. He was a coach. So he knows how to deal with people. He knows how to work with people. But I've seen what he's done at Minnesota, I've seen how he's helped the people of Minnesota, and I believe he's just going to be an asset to Kamala Harris, because I don't think she's going to need a whole lot of help because she's a strong woman." (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALABAMA DELEGATE SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN-MADISON SAYING: "They talked about when he wears a flannel shirt, it's not one that he went to a store and had to go buy, he can relate to those people. He is the people of the Midwest and all of those cities that we need, and their voices need to be heard."
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2024 05:28
  • Keywords: DNC Democratic National Convention Kamala Harris Tim Walz VP masculinity men vice presidential nominee
  • Location: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, NORTHFIELD AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES
  • City: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, NORTHFIELD AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: North America,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA007838421082024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: When U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris interviewed Tim Walz to be her running mate for the Democratic presidential ticket, the Minnesota governor asked her, "How can I help?," sources close to the process said.
    His primary focus on supporting her - rather than asking how much power he would have in the role - was a big point in his favor, they said.
    In the weeks since, Walz has tried to burnish Harris' image on the campaign trail, lauding a woman derided by her Republican rival Donald Trump and some of his supporters for her ready laugh for "bringing back the joy" to U.S. politics.
    Supportive Democrats say he is a model of masculinity for modern America, a man comfortable reporting to a woman, capable of using his 'white privilege' to boost women of color and promote reproductive rights while also enjoying hunting, fishing and fixing cars.
    "It's a great kind of masculinity," said delegate Adrianne George. "He knows he's to support Kamala Harris but we also know, from him being a veteran, being a coach, being a teacher, being governor, that he can lead. So that's what a good number two does. They support you and then they can take over if necessary."
    Republicans have challenged Walz's military record, economic policies, and support of left-leaning social movements and ideas, including on women and LGBTQ issues. After Harris chose Walz, Trump's senior adviser Stephen Miller nicknamed him "Tampon Tim" on X, mocking a law Walz signed as governor that requires schools to supply pads, tampons or other products for "all menstruating students" in restrooms, language meant to include trans students.
    But Walz's support of women, and particularly a Black woman, is part of his appeal to the political left during an election when abortion rights are front and center and polls show a widening gender gap, with women, especially younger ones, embracing the Democratic Party, Democratic strategists say.
    "He's going to have her back. She's going to need that. So I don't look at him as a second fiddle, but I look at him as her team mate and I know that is how she looks it as well, as her partner in this," said Alabama delegate and state senator Vivian Davis Figures.
    A Quinnipiac University poll of voters in battleground state Pennsylvania showed 59% of Harris supporters were more enthusiastic about the ticket after she picked Walz as her running mate, compared to 43% for Trump supporters and Vance. The poll did not give a gender breakdown.
    (Production: Kevin Fogarty, Sandra Stojanovic, Kia Johnson, Jane Ross)
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