Pelosi dismisses "mystifying" GOP branding of Walz as "radical left"
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House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) praised Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, calling him a "heartland of America Democrat."
Why it matters: Pelosi, who remains one of the most important power-brokers in the Democratic Party, challenged Republican claims that Walz represents "the left" and is more radical than the other VP finalists.
- "Tim Walz I know very well. He served in the House. To characterize him as 'left' is so unreal," Pelosi said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
- "Really, it's mystifying to me to see someone that I worked with — shall we say right down the middle — characterized on the left in this regard."
Between the lines: As a member of Congress from 2007 to 2019, Walz's voting record was more conservative than at least 70% of House Democrats, according to Voteview data.
- Walz does have a more progressive record as governor, signing laws protecting abortion rights, legalizing marijuana, restricting gun access and providing universal school meals for students.
- During the veepstakes, he had the support of key progressive leaders like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and House Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.).
What they're saying: The Trump campaign has seized on those endorsements and Walz's progressive record, calling him a "dangerously liberal extremist" in a statement responding to Harris' pick on Tuesday.
