Overview

• Tim Walz disclosed at a Harvard Kennedy School forum that Kamala Harris chose him as her running mate to connect with white working-class male voters, describing himself as a 'permission structure' for them to vote Democratic.
• Walz admitted the strategy underperformed outside of Minnesota, acknowledging the ticket's failure to secure sufficient white male votes in key swing states during the 2024 election.
• He reiterated that he is not considering a 2028 presidential bid and instead emphasized the need for Democrats to collectively build infrastructure for the next presidential cycle.
• Walz advocated for the Democratic Party to broaden its outreach through diverse platforms like podcasts and rallies to better connect with voters and reclaim its messaging.
• As part of his listening tour, Walz is engaging with audiences nationwide, analyzing Democratic losses and proposing ways to rebuild the party ahead of the 2026 midterms and 2028 election.