Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz may be aiming to rally support on the campaign trail, but he’s not exactly exuding the kind of presence that inspires confidence or authority.
The Minnesota governor has often come across as awkward, even goofy, and at times, his stage presence lacks the polish one might expect from someone vying for the second-highest office in the country. His gestures are wild and his energy scattered, leaving an impression that’s more “dad at the cookout” than “dignified statesman.”
That image wasn’t helped during a campaign stop in Wisconsin on Wednesday, when his wife, Gwen Walz, took to the stage and delivered a cringe-inducing attempt at a college fight song. The performance was flat, awkward, and entirely out of place.
It was supposed to hype up the crowd, but instead, it left them wondering why Democratic politicians can’t seem to hit the right note—literally and figuratively.
And it’s not just the Walz campaign. What’s going on with Democrats lately? Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer just made headlines for an uncomfortable and bizarre video in which she’s seen hand-feeding a Dorito to a liberal journalist kneeling at her feet.
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 10, 2024
The stunt, which was borderline inappropriate, felt more like a weird TikTok gag than an appearance by a sitting governor. These kinds of antics are turning politics into a cringe fest, and they’re starting to erode the seriousness that should accompany the roles of public officials.
It’s moments like these that leave many Americans shaking their heads in frustration. Whether it’s Gwen Walz’s flat performance or Whitmer’s odd stunt, there’s an unmistakable sense that the Democratic Party’s leaders are increasingly out of touch with the dignity and respect their positions demand.
When you’re asking voters to trust you with their futures, you need to at least appear serious about the responsibility that comes with that power.
Both Republicans and Democrats could use a reminder: these little, seemingly inconsequential acts chip away at the public’s already fragile trust in elected officials. It’s one thing to have fun and be relatable in private, but when you’re on the campaign trail, you’re asking to be seen as a leader. Americans are tired of seeing politicians treat their roles like reality TV show auditions, and that’s exactly what we’ve been getting.
