Harris has been trying to lay low. But she keeps being thrust back into the spotlight.
Now Tim Walz just obliterated the last remaining bits of Kamala Harris’ career.
Walz’s ‘Code Talk’ Claim Sparks Conservative Ridicule
Former Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz has ignited a firestorm of mockery from conservatives after asserting that he was selected as Kamala Harris’s running mate to “code talk to white guys” and sway rural voters.
Speaking at a Harvard Kennedy School forum during his national “listening tour” on Monday, the Minnesota governor claimed his role was to connect with “white guys watching football, fixing their truck” and “put them at ease.”
The remarks, meant to explain his place on the losing 2024 ticket, instead drew sharp derision from critics who saw them as a misstep in the Democrats’ failed bid to broaden their appeal.
Walz further described himself as a “permission structure” designed to win over white men in rural America, a demographic that overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump.
However, his attempt to position himself as a relatable everyman fell flat, with conservatives seizing the opportunity to highlight the Democrats’ disconnect with the very voters Walz claimed to represent.
The backlash underscored the challenges Democrats face in shedding their elitist image, a narrative Republicans have relentlessly exploited to maintain their grip on rural and working-class voters.
Social Media and GOP Leaders Pile On
The conservative response was swift and merciless, with social media users and Republican figures mocking Walz’s self-proclaimed ability to “code talk” to white men.
One X user jabbed, “Tampon Tim Walz thought white guys watching football and fixing their truck would listen to him and vote for Kamala,” referencing the controversial nickname tied to Walz’s policy mandating menstrual products in Minnesota public schools for grades 4 through 12.
The quip encapsulated the skepticism that Walz’s folksy persona failed to resonate as intended.
Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) joined the fray, declaring, “Tim Walz is DELUSIONAL!” His blunt assessment amplified the conservative narrative that Walz’s outreach was not only ineffective but also emblematic of the Democrats’ tone-deaf approach to rural voters.
Conservative pundit Charlie Kirk piled on, writing, “Tim Walz says Kamala picked him as a running mate to give ‘permission’ for white dudes to vote for a radical black/Indian woman.” Kirk’s follow-up, “How’d that work out for you, Tim?!” drove home the point that Walz’s strategy failed to deliver, as the Harris-Walz ticket fell short against Trump’s populist surge.
Democrats’ Rural Disconnect Laid Bare
Walz’s comments at Harvard, intended to reflect on his role in the 2024 campaign, instead highlighted the Democratic Party’s ongoing struggle to connect with white, working-class men—a demographic that has increasingly aligned with the GOP under Trump’s leadership.
By framing himself as a cultural translator for rural voters, Walz inadvertently invited scrutiny of the Democrats’ broader electoral miscalculations, particularly their inability to counter Republican narratives painting them as out-of-touch urban elites.
The mockery directed at Walz also reflects the broader conservative glee at the Democratic ticket’s defeat, with critics gleefully pointing to the “code talk” claim as evidence of a flawed strategy.
As Democrats lick their wounds and reassess their approach ahead of future elections, Walz’s remarks serve as a cautionary tale of the risks of leaning into stereotypes to appeal to voters. With Republicans like Emmer and Kirk capitalizing on the gaffe to further erode Democratic credibility, Walz’s “listening tour” has instead amplified the GOP’s narrative of Democratic desperation and cultural cluelessness.
