In an unexpected twist in the political landscape, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota has stepped down as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association after being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. This sudden resignation is reportedly in line with the DGA’s bylaws, but it also underscores how desperate the Democrats must be if they’re placing their hopes on a guy like Walz to help boost their chances in a presidential election.
Walz’s exit is being celebrated by the DGA as a victory, as evidenced by their executive director’s ecstatic take on the situation. It seems that in their world, having their chair become a vice presidential candidate is not just a “big deal,” but worthy of confetti and balloons. Meghan Meehan-Draper might as well be handing out party hats while celebrating a leadership change that seems more like a last-ditch effort to salvage a sinking ship. After all, nothing says “we’re ready to win” quite like trotting out the big guns—who are, ironically, not known for their winning track records.
Walz resigns from post as leader of Democratic Governors Association – Washington Examiner https://t.co/x4TkL5RREz
— Melanie (@MellieMAGA) August 7, 2024
Before this latest maneuver, Walz was busy stitching up a bond between his fellow Democratic governors and the beleaguered President Joe Biden, attempting to shore up support for a campaign that seems to be in freefall. Organizing a conference call might have made Walz feel important, but for most sentient beings, nothing screams competence like a group of governors coordinating with a president struggling to keep his approval ratings above water.
Replacing Walz at the helm is Gov. Laura Kelly of Kansas, who is no stranger to operating in a politically hostile environment. Kansas is hardly a liberal bastion, making Kelly’s tenure a bit of a unicorn sighting in a sea of red. In her newfound leadership role, she has publicly vowed to keep the DGA ship afloat and ensure the Harris-Walz ticket avoids a Titanic-esque disaster this November. Kelly has been cited as a “huge asset” by Meehan-Draper—one only needs to ask whether that’s a compliment or simply a reflection of the Democrat’s barebones roster.
While eleven gubernatorial races loom on the horizon, just two are considered even mildly competitive. For the Democrats, hoping on Walz and Kelly is akin to betting on a sinking ship to stay afloat based on its lucky charms. The math is simple: throw bucks at fundraising and hope for a Hail Mary. Meanwhile, GOP boots are firmly planted on the ground, preparing to wrestle these races away. With Walz stepping aside, it’s evident that the Democratic strategy is a mix of hopeful optimism and a whole lot of uncertainty—certainly not the indicators of a winning campaign.