Democratic Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, seems to have made a critical mistake on the campaign trail that could come back to haunt him. During a speech earlier this week in Pennsylvania, Walz decided to target Republican Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio in a way that may not have landed as he intended. Instead of focusing on policy or other pressing campaign issues, Walz attacked Vance’s upbringing, inadvertently highlighting the stark contrast between the two vice-presidential candidates.
In a video clip posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Walz criticized Vance, saying, “Sen. Vance, he became a media darling. He wrote a book about the place he grew up. But the premise was — was trashing that place where he grew up rather than lifting it up.”
The comment seemed ill-considered for several reasons. First, it’s hard to describe J.D. Vance, a vocal advocate for the working class and a key figure in conservative politics, as a “media darling.” Vance, who rose to prominence with his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, has been a strong voice for Middle America and has not shied away from addressing the issues facing working-class communities. His personal story of growing up in a struggling Rust Belt town and overcoming the odds to become a Yale Law School graduate resonates deeply with many voters.
Walz’s attempt to paint Vance as someone who “trashed” his hometown may have misfired. Vance’s book, while unflinching in its portrayal of the difficulties in working-class America, was seen by many as a raw and honest reflection of his experiences. Far from trashing his roots, Vance’s narrative has been embraced by millions who see their own struggles in his story.
Walz, however, didn’t stop there. He went on to mock Vance, saying, “This guy’s a venture capitalist cosplaying like he’s a cowboy or something. I don’t even know what a venture capitalist does most of the time.”
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The attack was a strange choice for Walz. While it might have been intended to portray Vance as out of touch with regular Americans, it had the unintended effect of reminding voters of Vance’s rise from poverty to success. Vance’s story is the kind of American Dream narrative that appeals to many, especially in the Rust Belt states that are crucial to winning the election. Mocking someone for their success, particularly when they’ve worked hard to overcome poverty, can backfire, and in this case, it may have done just that.
In contrast to Walz’s criticisms, Vance has built a reputation as a confident and polished speaker, someone who can connect with a wide range of voters. While Vance doesn’t shy away from his humble beginnings, he doesn’t use them as a prop in his speeches. Instead, his authenticity and lack of pretension resonate with voters who see him as someone who hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
Meanwhile, Walz, in this particular speech, seemed to be trying too hard to appeal to the rural audience in Pennsylvania. Dressed in a flannel shirt and ball cap, Walz’s appearance seemed like an attempt to relate to his audience, but it risked coming off as inauthentic. His criticism of Vance as a “cosplaying” venture capitalist might have seemed ironic to some, given his own effort to blend in with a rural crowd.
Throughout the rest of his 35-minute speech, Walz shifted to focus on attacking former President Donald Trump, but the damage had already been done. By even mentioning Vance, Walz may have drawn more attention to the Ohio senator’s compelling life story, a narrative that contrasts sharply with his own political persona. Vance’s rise from a troubled childhood to a Yale Law School graduate and U.S. senator has made him a key figure in Republican politics and a potential political star for years to come.
Walz’s decision to take aim at Vance, especially by criticizing his background, is puzzling when considering the sharp contrast it creates between the two. Vance’s story of hard work and perseverance stands in stark opposition to the image Walz has been trying to craft on the campaign trail. Rather than casting Vance as out of touch, Walz’s comments may have simply reminded voters of Vance’s deep connection to the issues facing working-class Americans.
In a political landscape where authenticity matters more than ever, Walz’s attempt to attack Vance’s background could end up backfiring, especially with voters who see Vance as someone who understands their struggles. As the 2024 election approaches, Walz may find that his comments about Vance were a misstep that highlights the very qualities that make the Ohio senator appealing to many voters.
Time will tell how this moment will play out in the campaign, but it’s clear that Walz’s attack on J.D. Vance has the potential to do more harm than good, not just for his own candidacy, but for the Harris-Walz ticket as a whole.
