Tim Walz's Verbal Missteps Stir Concerns Amid Tight Campaign

[Social Media]

 

Tim Walz, Minnesota's plain-speaking governor and Kamala Harris' running mate, is grappling with a growing number of public misstatements that could potentially harm their tight race against Donald Trump and JD Vance. Known for his folksy, candid communication style, Walz has found himself repeatedly clarifying or correcting statements about his past, from his military service to personal anecdotes about his family. His campaign has been forced to address these verbal missteps, leading to speculation on whether they may undercut his credibility with voters.

 

Walz's most recent gaffe occurred during a CBS debate, when he was pressed on a claim about being in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Walz had previously stated that he was in Hong Kong during the protests in Beijing. When confronted during the debate, Walz awkwardly admitted, "I got there that summer," adding, "I’m a knucklehead at times," before conceding he had "misspoke." A day later, he sought to clarify the situation further, saying, "Yeah, look, I have my dates wrong. I was in Hong Kong in China in 1989. … I speak like everybody else speaks. I need to be clearer."

 

"I need to be clearer"

"I had my dates wrong. I was in Hong Kong and China in 1989...Was profound for me... I need to be clearer... I understand China helluva better than Trump."

- Tim Walz

PLUS:
"@davidhogg111 is a friend of mine"
&
"Disqualifying to not acknowledge 2020 election was won by Biden" pic.twitter.com/xuN1gds4jU

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) October 2, 2024

 

Walz’s verbal errors have surfaced repeatedly throughout the campaign, with his military service being one of the more notable areas of scrutiny. On several occasions, he has inaccurately described himself as a "retired command sergeant major," a claim he made during his first congressional campaign. However, Walz never completed the final coursework to retire at that rank. The Harris campaign quietly updated his military record on its website following inquiries from reporters, now stating that Walz had "served" at that rank. 

 

Further complicating matters, Walz also attracted attention for comments on his family's struggles with fertility, which he used to highlight his stance on reproductive rights. He criticized JD Vance, saying, "if it was up to him, I wouldn’t have a family because of IVF." However, it later came to light that Walz and his wife did not specifically use in vitro fertilization but a different treatment. The campaign subsequently had to clarify the details.

 

These incidents have forced the Harris-Walz campaign to stay on the defensive. Democratic strategist Mike Mikus noted, "Any time you are forced to go off message is never welcome." Yet, he added that voters are more concerned about what candidates plan to do to improve their lives than whether "he got every single fact correct." Nonetheless, some within Harris' circle were caught off-guard by Walz's inaccurate statements, including his claim about Hong Kong, despite the vetting process. 

 

Walz’s past DUI arrest in Nebraska, which was downplayed in previous campaigns, also resurfaced during Harris' vice presidential vetting process. Harris' team was aware of the arrest and investigated Walz’s behavior since then, including his temperament and drinking habits.

 

Despite these controversies, Walz’s supporters remain steadfast in their admiration for him. Bob Frisby, a 70-year-old resident of Rochester, Minnesota, expressed his trust in the governor, stating, "He’s just honest." However, Republicans have been quick to exploit these moments, drawing attention to his misstatements as a way to undermine his image as an "everyday Midwest guy."

 

Defending her running mate, a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign explained that Walz "speaks like a normal person" and "passionately about issues he cares deeply about," including democracy and gun violence. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders like Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker have urged voters to consider the broader picture, stating, "You can pick and choose the things that you want over somebody’s entire career and call it out," while reminding them that "JD Vance is lying every day."

 

Based on a report from Politico 2024-10-05

 

 

 

[Danderman123]

Trump lies every day, so a couple of mis-statements is a minor deal.

[HappyExpat57]

I knew immediately what he meant. Walz was either very nervous or over-caffeinated (perhaps both, credit: Stephen Colbert).

 

Anyone who uses this gaffe against him only does so cuz they have nothing else. Smells like desperation.

[neeray]

All politicians bend the truth a bit, or a lot, some more than others, a heck of a lot more in the case of Trump and Vance. What's Trump up to now, 40,000, 50,000 documented lies? And Vance is working hard to catch up to his hero (Trump, that is).

[WDSmart]

I don't care anything about these. As long as Donald Trump is on the other side of the ballot, I'm voting (voted, in my case) for Harris/Walz.

[Hanaguma]

8 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

Trump lies every day, so a couple of mis-statements is a minor deal.

As if on cue, "b-b-but Trump!" manages to sneak into the very first comment.

[Hanaguma]

As for Walz, a couple of things are obvious.

 

a/ he has not had any actual interviews or taken even moderately pointed questions for a long time.

b/ he is not used to being contradicted or asked to prove what he says.

 

Sounded to me like he was over-prepared. A couple of times he was rushing through prepared statements and jumbled the sentences so that they made no sense.  He was also not listening very much to what Vance was saying either. Vance listened very carefully to Walz' answers and rebutted them or built on them. Walz just spoke in whatever pre-memorized sound bite seemed appropriate.

[Hanaguma]

Finally, Walz' mis-statements are not simple memory lapses or oopsies. In every case, the 'lapse' is in the direction of Walz looking better. So on Hong Kong, he lied so that it looked like he was a witness to history in Beijing. In his military career, he lied to look like a combat veteran and a retired CSM.  He even lied to appear like the head coach of a football team in order to take credit for their success. His lies are always self-serving, never deprecating. That is what makes them look so irresponsible.

[Will B Good]

My take on Walz...

 

Is he a draft dodger?

Has he been sleeping with prostitutes?

Has he paid women he's slept with hush money?

Has he cheated on his wife?

Is he an inveterate liar?

Does he grab women by the pussy?

 

No?....then he can't be all bad.

 

[Hanaguma]

15 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

My take on Walz...

 

Is he a draft dodger?

Has he been sleeping with prostitutes?

Has he paid women he's slept with hush money?

Has he cheated on his wife?

Is he an inveterate liar?

Does he grab women by the pussy?

 

No?....then he can't be all bad.

 

Considering the topic is about the VICE presidential candidates, you could easily say the same about JD Vance. 

[Caldera]

It pales in comparison to Trump's bold lies, but still, it doesn't look good.

[blazes]

Worrying about politicians telling lies  is a waste of energy on everyone's part (including on this thread).

What is important (especially in debates) is which candidate gives the appearance of great intelligence and who could be trusted to perform bravely and intelligently in a crisis.

Only Vance in my opinion shows the strength and honesty of character to stand for the highest office.  The rest are dross....