Joe Scarborough criticizes Kamala Harris' choice of Tim Walz as running mate, here's why
WASHINGTON, DC: On Tuesday, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough expressed visible displeasure with Kamala Harris' choice of running mate, which happened to be Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The announcement, which came while Scarborough's 'Morning Joe' show was live, revealed Walz as Harris' choice for the Democratic ticket.
Joe Scarborough criticizes Tim Walz's selection
Joe Scarborough, however, appeared to have preferred Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, whom he considered a stronger option.
Scarborough was vocal about his reservations, both before and after the official confirmation of Walz's selection. He praised Shapiro, describing him as “the most gifted speaker” among the remaining candidates and argued that a Harris-Shapiro ticket could represent a “really dynamic, striking generational shift.”
Although Scarborough acknowledged his and his co-host Mika Brzezinski's admiration for Governor Walz, he pointed out that “there is a reason…the left wing likes him.”
Throughout the show, Scarborough emphasized that Walz is a progressive, noting that “progressives love Walz.”
He expressed concerns about the lack of ideological balance between Harris and Walz, stating, “There wouldn’t be a lot of ideological balance there between Kamala Harris and Governor Walz if she does in fact announce that it is Governor Walz, as many suspect.”
Scarborough questioned whether this choice indicated a strategy aimed at energizing the Democratic base at the expense of moderates in crucial states like Pennsylvania.
He asked, “Is this the whole idea, that they’re going to excite the base and this is going to be a base election, they don’t care what moderates in Pennsylvania and other states think?”
Joe Scarborough defends Josh Shapiro against criticism
Earlier in the week, Joe Scarborough had taken to X (formerly Twitter) to label Josh Shapiro as “the governor of the most important state in this election” and asserted that Shapiro “will be ready to serve on Day 1.”
Josh Shapiro is governor of the most important state in this election. He is the most experienced leader and gifted orator of the remaining (strong) candidates. He would present voters with the most dynamic ticket since Clinton/Gore in 1992, and will be ready to serve on Day 1.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) August 4, 2024
He defended Shapiro against attacks he attributed to “a toxic mix of antisemitism, extremist views on Gaza, and jealous colleagues who don’t want to be blocked out of the presidential sweepstakes for the next decade.”
Reflecting on the choice of Walz over Shapiro, Scarborough said, “It would certainly be seen as a safer choice, going with Tim Walz instead of Josh Shapiro who faced backlash from progressives, faced backlash from people who didn’t like the fact that he was Jewish.”
He added that Shapiro had been criticized for his position on Gaza “when in fact the governor of Minnesota has been at least as pro-Israeli and more supportive of Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Joe Scarborough questions Tim Walz’s impact on Pennsylvania
When Tim Walz was officially named Kamala Harris' running mate, Joe Scarborough was less than enthusiastic.
He conceded that the ultimate decision rests with the candidate but underscored the importance of winning Pennsylvania in 2024, saying, “The candidate has to make the decision herself. And I will tell you, the candidate that I’m most comfortable with is the candidate that helps me win Pennsylvania in 2024. So let us hope…that those outside of Pittsburgh love Tim Walz.”
Scarborough described Walz as “a darling of progressives” and suggested that the Democratic Party's left wing had successfully lobbied for a progressive ticket. “If you just followed what politicians have been saying in the Democratic Party, he is a darling of progressives,” Scarborough noted.
“He’s a darling of the left and they were lobbying very hard for a progressive ticket with a progressive in the No 1 and a progressive in the No 2 slot. That’s exactly what they got.”
However, this perspective was challenged by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who appeared on the show shortly after. Pelosi refuted the notion that Walz is a left-wing politician, asserting, “Tim Walz I know very well, he served in the House. To characterize him as left is so unreal. He’s right down the middle. He’s a heartland of America Democrat.”
