Walz defends misstatements as "candid" words during CNN interview
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Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz in Bloomington, Minnesota, earlier this month. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed criticism over his own past words in his first televised interview since joining the Democratic ticket as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.
The big picture: Walz's rapid rise has put his statements on everything from his military service to his family's fertility journey under new, intensified scrutiny.
- Former President Trump and other Republicans have in particular taken aim at Walz over claims that he misrepresented his service record.
Driving the news: During the interview with Harris and Walz, CNN's Dana Bash asked the governor about blowback over a 2018 claim that he carried weapons of war "in war," despite never being deployed to a combat zone.
- Asked whether he misspoke, Walz said his "record speaks for itself."
- He added that he speaks candidly. "I wear my emotions on my sleeves, and I speak especially passionately about our children being shot in schools," he said, adding that he's "incredibly proud" of his 24 years of service in the National Guard.
- Pushed again on whether he misspoke, Walz replied that he was speaking in the context of a school shooting when discussing "the ideas of carrying these weapons of war" and noted that his wife, Gwen Walz, picks him up on his grammar, which is not always correct.
Zoom in: Bash asked Walz what he would say to "voters who aren't sure whether they can take you at your word" given questions about statements implying that his family used IVF and renewed scrutiny over his 2006 congressional campaign's false characterization of a 1995 DWI arrest.
- "I certainly own my mistakes when I make 'em," Walz said, noting that former students and fellow National Guard members have vouched for his character.
- Without addressing those controversies directly, Walz said he went public with his family's experience with infertility "because it's hell" and the stakes for protecting such treatments are high given political attacks.
Between the lines: The Harris-Walz campaign has leaned into Walz's affable, folksy persona to shield against attacks over his own inaccurate statements, arguing he talks like "normal people talk."
Zoom out: Walz also weighed in on his son, Gus, going viral during his dad's DNC speech, calling that a "visceral, emotional" moment.
- "I'm grateful I got to experience it," he said. "And I'm so proud of him."
Go deeper: Tim Walz's gaffes are not new to Minnesotans
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout. Rebecca Falconer contributed reporting.
