Pawlenty Labels Walz as 'Bernie Sanders in Hunting Gear'

In a recent interview with FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty shared his insights on the Democratic presidential ticket featuring Kamala Harris and her newly announced vice presidential pick, Governor Tim Walz. Pawlenty, who served as governor from 2003 to 2011 and previously ran for the GOP presidential nomination, noted that while Walz aligns philosophically with Harris, he brings a distinct style and background to the campaign. He characterized Harris as embodying a "San Francisco, California, vibe," contrasting it with Walz's more down-to-earth persona. Harris praised Walz's progressive achievements in her announcement, highlighting his commitment to working families through infrastructure investments and the implementation of paid family and medical leave in Minnesota. However, Pawlenty pointed out challenges during Walz's tenure, including rising crime rates and significant fraud cases within state government, which he claims were not adequately addressed. Despite his criticisms, Pawlenty acknowledged Walz's strengths as a campaigner, predicting that he would inject new energy into the Harris campaign in the lead-up to the election. He described Walz as "energetic, friendly, and folksy," but raised questions about whether the American electorate is ready to embrace what he termed a "democrat-socialist agenda." Pawlenty clarified his political stance, stating he does not support the Harris-Walz ticket and has historically voted for former President Trump, suggesting that the Trump campaign will emphasize Walz's alignment with progressive policies rather than a centrist approach.