‘I Own This’: Tim Walz Says Democrats ‘Wouldn’t Be in This Mess’ If It Weren’t for Him and Kamala Harris
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was also the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the 2020 election, recently appeared on MSNBC’s All Inwith Chris Hayes to discuss the current political and economic landscape. During the interview, Walz expressed frustration with former President Donald Trump’s trade policies and took responsibility for the Democrats’ current challenges, suggesting that things might be different if he and former Vice President Kamala Harris had won the election.
Walz criticized Trump’s handling of trade, particularly the trade war with Canada, calling it “the stupidest trade war” and emphasizing the negative impact it has had on Americans. He pointed out that even conservative voices like *The Wall Street Journal* have criticized Trump’s trade policies, which he believes strengthens his argument when speaking to Republican constituents. Walz also took aim at figures like Senator Tommy Tuberville and Elon Musk, who have suggested that Americans need to “endure pain” for economic progress. He argued that Americans are tired of such rhetoric and deserve better leadership.
When Hayes asked Walz about the Democrats’ current situation, Walz took responsibility, saying, “We wouldn’t be in this mess if we had won the election, and we didn’t.” He stressed the importance of not just criticizing Trump but also offering a better alternative to voters. Walz acknowledged that the Democratic campaign he and Harris ran may have been too cautious, describing it as “risk-averse.” He contrasted this with the “recklessly risk-seeking” approach of Trump and his supporters, who seem willing to embrace extreme risks without hesitation.
Hayes suggested that there’s a significant gap between the risk-taking behavior of Trump and his allies and the cautious approach of Democrats. Walz agreed, noting that while he believes in preserving systems that work, there’s room for improvement. He acknowledged that Democrats sometimes fail to act decisively, even when change is needed. For example, he agreed that the Department of Education could be more efficient but argued against abolishing it entirely, as some Republicans have proposed.
In summary, Walz’s interview highlighted his frustration with Trump’s policies, his willingness to take responsibility for the Democrats’ electoral loss, and his belief that the party needs to offer a more compelling vision to voters. He also acknowledged the need for Democrats to take more calculated risks rather than being overly cautious in their approach to governance and campaigning.
What do you think? Was the Democratic campaign too risk-averse, and should the party take bolder steps to counter figures like Trump? Share your thoughts!
