Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Rose Garden August 13, 2024 (Where I escape to beauty.)

I admit to being thrilled, when Vice President Kamala Harris announced she had chosen Governor Tim Waltz as her running mate. I’ve  appreciated  his level headed, compassionate, approach to governing. 

The teacher in Governor Walz is able to put policies into language, that makes practical sense to ordinary people. His frequent briefings, during the chaos of the pandemic, and the craziness in Washington’s response, were reassuring. Consulting with both Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm, the state was kept informed on the world’s evolving knowledge of Covid 19.

There have been many challenges during Walz’s time as governor. Minnesota was the epicenter of demonstrations after George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis cop. The video of Floyd’s last words saying, he couldn’t breathe, echoed hospital ICU wards, filled with Covid patients struggling for breath.

Early days of peaceful protest, rapidly changed when outside agitators intent on creating chaos, arrived in the city.  The National Guard was called out, along with most every other policing department in the state. Peaceful, daytime protests turned into night time looting and burning. It was a distressing time, as it was over much of the United States.

I expected criticism’s of Governor Walz for that. What I didn’t expect are the attacks on his 24 years of National Guard Service or his year teaching in China. I understand opponents trying to find leverage points. But do they have to disparage a person’s integrity and 24 years of serving in the National Guard, as inadequate? There are multiple places of disagreement in polices and visions between the parties. But, do we have to demean the good another person has done?

During the pandemic years, when Gov. Walz was asked at a press conference, to respond to those complaining about mask mandates and closures. His pragmatic answer was, “I’m trying to keep them alive long enough so they can vote against me.”

The Trump campaign, must view Gov. Walz as a serious threat. Almost every day, since Vice President Harris chose him as her running mate, there have been spurious charges hurled at him. A former student, Doug Vose, wrote an oped for the Minneapolis Star Tribune,   reflecting on both Gov. Walz as a teacher, and attacks on his character.

He closed with: “Memo to the Trump 2024 team from a dormant Republican and a Mr. Walz student: Make the campaign about the Trump tax policy. Make it about China. Make it about the border. Make it about anything other than leadership, decency and competency. Because if you don’t, and this becomes a character debate, you’re way out of your league.”

Watching Tim Walz, first as a Congressman and now as my governor, has been a reminder of the many good and decent people who serve our nation through elected office. Perhaps, it is Gov. Walz’s genuine goodness, that most frightens the Trump Team.