Surprising turn of events, former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke has voiced his admiration for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has recently been nominated as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. O’Rourke’s remarks, delivered during an interview on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki” on August 13, 2024, highlight Walz’s unique qualities and his unexpected rise to the national stage.
O’Rourke, who previously served alongside Walz in the House of Representatives, expressed his astonishment at Walz’s selection, emphasizing the rarity of such a genuinely kind and effective leader reaching high political office.
“I was actually really surprised that he was in contention to be nominated for vice president of the United States and surprised that he got picked,” O’Rourke stated. He added, “Only because it is so rare that someone who is so genuinely kind and nice and isn’t a blowhard and a grandstander and a self-promoter ever reaches these levels of political attainment in this country.”
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O’Rourke praised Walz for his dedication to public service rather than personal promotion. “He’s just that rare person, who’s just truly a good guy, who’s gotten ahead by getting the job done,” O’Rourke remarked. He commended Walz’s achievements as governor, including his efforts to ensure students have access to nutritious meals and his push to decriminalize marijuana.
“As governor of Minnesota, he’s made sure that kids can learn on a full belly,” O’Rourke noted. “That we decriminalize marijuana … we’re not putting people behind bars for something that’s legal in most of the rest of the country.”
O’Rourke’s support for the Harris-Walz ticket is a significant endorsement, given Walz’s surprising selection over other prominent candidates like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Mark Kelly. Walz, a 24-year veteran of the National Guard with a background as a high school teacher and football coach, brings a diverse and grounded perspective to the campaign.
In a follow-up interview with MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace, O’Rourke contrasted the Harris-Walz message of optimism with the often divisive rhetoric in politics. “Instead of hatred, there is hope,” he said, praising the Democratic candidates for their ability to focus on issues that matter to the American people.
As the Harris-Walz ticket prepares for the upcoming election, O’Rourke’s endorsement underscores the unexpected nature of Walz’s rise and the hope that this partnership will offer a fresh and positive perspective in the race. With a focus on bridging divides and addressing key issues such as education and criminal justice reform, the Harris-Walz campaign aims to present a compelling alternative in the 2024 presidential race.
