Tim Walz Silent for a Few Seconds When CNN Anchor Asks, ‘Who Is The Leader of the Democratic Party?’
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was silent for a few seconds when CNN anchor Kasie Hunt asked, “Who is the leader of the Democratic Party?” — eventually offering an answer that was not a name.
Walz was on Wednesday’s episode of The Arena with Kasie Hunt, and after a discussion of President Donald Trump’s speech the previous evening to a joint session of Congress, the conversation turned to the future of Walz’s party, with Republicans holding the White House and Congress.
“Who do you think the leader of the Democratic Party is right now?” asked Hunt.
“I think the voting public, right now, is what I would say,” Walz said after the aforementioned short pause. He added that he was telling Democrats “we’re not going to have a charismatic leader right in here and save us from this,” and instead they needed to be “out there standing alongside” the people.
Hunt remarked that his view might apply to congressional leaders but Trump had emerged “to dominate our politics for ten years.”
“Do you see anyone who could be a national Democratic figure?” she asked.
Walz replied that he saw “a whole lot of them,” including “young members of Congress stepping up” and state legislators, union members, and other “folks that are out there.”
The key, said Walz, was that Democrats “can’t cede the space” and must “stand up” and offer a response to Republicans, going out and meeting with voters.
“Is Kamala Harris a future leader for the Democratic Party?” Hunt asked.
“Well, I certainly think she could be,” replied Walz. “There’ll be decisions to be, like I say, all of us are –”
“Do you think she should run for president?” Hunt interjected.
“I think she had a positive message,” said Walz. “I think I own this with her. Were we able to deliver that? Obviously not. Not as effectively as we should have, but I think the ideas that she was bringing up about an economy that works for everyone, expanding the idea of health care and affordability, making sure that Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security were protected — she shares the values of the bulk of the American public. In 100 days, I think she was articulating that.”
“Are you going to run for president?” Hunt asked.
Walz answered, “I don’t need to be on the ticket, but I do need to be there, I believe, because what I saw in the country and what we’re able to do.”
He added that he wanted to “be a part of making sure that we win,” and would be “out there” offering “whatever they need from me, I’ll go, wherever they are” to meet the public and “take the fight to every corner of the country.”
Watch the clip above via CNN.
