Sticking the Landing in Flyover Country

“With due respect to political statistics, which convey real and important trends, the rural white working class is not a monolith. Among them remains a large and consequential minority of sensible people who even in their vulnerable economic state remain unmoved by charlatans blaming immigrants while amassing corporate wealth. In recent decades, the Democratic Party has made little direct appeal to them, such that Mr. Walz’s rural background seems downright transgressive on the top ticket.” NYT (Gift Article): Democrats Have Needed Someone Like Tim Walz for Decades. (We’re not in Kansas, anymore. But we’re heading back in that direction.)

+ “The Minnesota governor was upfront about his vulnerabilities, noting he wasn’t from a swing state or a household name. He also said he was a bad debater. But Walz made it clear he would be a team player.” How a low-key Midwestern governor shot to the top to be Harris’ VP pick.