Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but that makes mockery the most condescending form of contempt.
The race for the White House is likely to again come down to the so-called “Blue Wall” states that have decided the last two before it.
Heading into election day 2016, no Republican candidate had won Michigan or Pennsylvania’s electoral votes since 1988.
The GOP’s drought in Wisconsin stretched back four more years to 1984.
But eight years ago, Donald Trump won all three and the White House, ushering in a new era in which the “Rust Belt” would become the epicenter of presidential politics.
Enter Tim Walz.
In the days since Harris tapped the Minnesota governor to be her No. 2, Walz has been described as “folksy” and “all-American” by his adoring allies.
“There’s something appealing about a guy for people who say is as comfortable talking in a T-shirt and a baseball cap as he is talking in a suit, as he is talking in a tuxedo,” marveled CBS’ Gayle King.
“To characterize him as left is so unreal,” insisted Nancy Pelosi before deeming him “a heartland of America Democrat.”
Andrea Mitchell wondered aloud if Walz was a “regional pick” meant to “appeal to white men.”
Mitchell is close to hitting the nail on the head.
It’s clear that Harris recognizes the importance of rebuilding the Blue Wall to her campaign — that’s why she’s spent the last three days holding rallies in them.
And it’s also clear that she views Walz as an asset to her in those states; that’s why he’s been glued to her hip throughout her tour of the region.
So yes, Walz is a play for voters in these states — but he’s a fraudulent one.
Harris hopes that by putting an affable caricature of what she imagines Midwestern swing voters look and sound like on the Democratic ticket, she can convince them that it shares their values.
It most assuredly doesn’t.
Yes, Tim Walz coached football.
But no, he can’t be trusted to protect the industry that revived Pennsylvania’s economy.
Yes, Tim Walz has recorded a cute video with his kid at the state fair.
But no, he won’t join the rest of the civilized world in protecting your kids from experimental, irreversible gender transition treatments.
Yes, Tim Walz has taught social studies.
But no, he does not understand or respect the First Amendment.
Yes, Tim Walz has hunted before.
No, he won’t protect your Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Yes, you might be able to envision Tim Walz saying something like “Ope, let me squeeze right by ya there” in the grocery store.
No, he does not take the responsibility of enforcing immigration law seriously.
Walz is a radical with the instincts of Bernie Sanders, not the normie, median voter.
Instead of trying to make a substantive appeal to swing voters in the Blue Wall states, Harris is trying to sucker them into supporting her by casting a “Fargo” extra as her running mate.
“These dummies don’t care about policy, they just want some idiot who reminds them of themselves,” she thought to herself.
It’s a risky proposition; as electoral guru Steve Kornacki explained on MSNBC, there’s no evidence whatsoever to suggest that Walz has any special appeal in the Rust Belt.
His strength in Minnesota is Democrats’ strength everywhere, with urban voters.
The Vice President assumes she can conceal the Harris-Walz ticket’s devastating policy agenda from Michiganders, Pennsylvanians, and Wisconsinites under a Carhartt glove.
But it’s more likely than not that she mistakes her own superficial naivete for theirs.
