Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic candidate for vice president, delighted a mid-day crowd of partisans in Newport on Thursday by sketching a sharp contrast between his running mate, Kamala Harris, and Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Walz said Harris could relate to the experiences of regular people since she once worked at McDonald’s. She campaigns with joy, he said, while Trump seeks to instill fear.
“Can you picture that guy making a McFlurry,” Walz said, referring to a frozen treat served by McDonald’s, or throwing a Frisbee to a dog and then giving it a belly rub?
About 300 donors crowded into Ochre Court, a Gilded Age mansion that is now on the grounds of Salve Regina University and rented for functions. They sipped drinks and snacked on passed hors d’oeuvres before hearing from all four members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation and Gov. Dan McKee.
Walz said Harris supports policies to make the nation better, while Trump wants to take it back in time with Project 2025, a plan created by the conservative Heritage Foundation to remake the federal government. While Trump has tried to publicly distance himself from Project 2025, “If you take the time to draw up a plan, you’re going to use it,” Walz said.
The Minnesotan pointed to how Trump falsely attributed the large size of a rally for Harris to an image generated by artificial intelligence. If that was the case, Walz asked, how could thousands of people at the event sign up to support the Democratic campaign.
Walz said America needs two political parties. He called for the GOP to return to what it was like in the past.
The VP candidate said the stakes are high for the November election, and he said Democrats have to fight, rather than just hoping for victory. “When we fight, we win,” he said.
With contribution levels from $1,000 to $25,000 — $10,000 for a photo with Walz — the event raised more than $600,000.
The Minnesota governor said the money will support Harris’ campaign in battleground states.
State Democratic Chairwoman Liz Perik said she liked Walz’ remarks: “Joyful. We’re moving forward, not back. Women are not giving their rights, people aren’t giving up their rights. This is a joyful time in a presidential election. Every time I listen to the other side, they’re so angry.”
The host committee for the fundraiser included top RI Democrats, including McKee, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.
Although The New York Times reported that his supporters made a coordinated effort to raise his profile, Walz said he was shocked to wind up as Harris’ running mate. “I couldn’t be more surprised if I woke up with my head stapled to the carpet,” he said.
A woman with a Trump banner was spotted near the event and a small group of protestors objected to the situation in Gaza.
In a statement, state GOP Chairman Joe Powers criticized Walz’ record in Minnesota and said Democrats were wrong to embrace him.
Security was tight for the event. Reporters were restricted to using pad and pen, with no photos, video or audio recording. Reporters were kept in a separate area until Walz began his remarks.
The next stop for Walz as part of a national fundraising blitz was Southampton, New York.
