Tim Walz makes sudden schedule change amid VP buzz

In a move that has intensified speculation about his potential selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has reportedly canceled his planned trip to New Hampshire this weekend.

President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race on July 21 following weeks of interparty fighting among Democrats on whether he should pass the torch to the next generation after his debate fiasco against Donald Trump in late June in Atlanta. Biden also endorsed Harris the day he withdrew from the race and she is now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

The sudden change in Walz’s schedule comes as Harris is reportedly in the final stages of vetting candidates in her search for a running mate.

CNN senior reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere wrote on X, formerly Twitter, about Walz’s change in travel plans: “A little more veepstakes NEWS: from Tim Walz’s spokesman: ‘The governor’s schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to New Hampshire this weekend.’”

Harris is expected to meet with her vetting team today for a series of in-depth presentations on each of the finalists. These briefings, lasting between 60 to 90 minutes each, are designed to provide Harris with comprehensive information on the candidates’ backgrounds, qualifications, and potential impact on the ticket.

The list of finalists reportedly includes Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, alongside Walz.

The presentations may result in a narrowing of the field, with Harris expected to conduct final interviews, possibly in-person on Sunday, according to CNN.

Newsweek has contacted the Harris campaign and Walz’s press office via email on Saturday for comment.

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, whose law firm is conducting the vetting process, was seen arriving at the Naval Observatory on Saturday morning, underscoring the high-stakes nature of these deliberations.

Walz, a former high school teacher and football coach with a 24-year career in the Army National Guard, brings a unique blend of experiences to the table. As a congressman, he represented a deep-red district in Minnesota, demonstrating an ability to appeal to voters across the political spectrum. His background in education, military service, and agriculture could potentially resonate with voters in key battleground states, particularly in the Midwest.

In a recent op-ed for Newsweek, former Representative Tim Ryan, an Ohio Democrat, made a case for Walz as Harris’ running mate. Ryan emphasized the importance of selecting a candidate who can connect with working-class voters, particularly in the Rust Belt. He highlighted Walz’s understanding of issues critical to Midwestern voters, such as job creation, health care access, and education.

The timing of Walz’s schedule change is particularly noteworthy, mirroring a similar move by Shapiro who recently canceled a fundraising trip to the Hamptons in New York. These parallel developments have intensified the buzz around both governors as potential VP picks.

Harris’ top consideration in selecting a running mate is reportedly electability. The choice will not only impact the campaign’s strategy, but also signal the Democratic Party’s priorities and vision for the future.

With Harris expected to announce her running mate before a planned campaign rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday, the political world is on high alert for any further schedule changes or announcements from the potential VP candidates.