Readers Write: Tim Walz
Pandemic leadership, bar none.
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As a longtime fan of Gov. Tim Walz, I sure had my complaints with him. I never understood his hesitation in calling in the National Guard when Minneapolis was burning, nor the big spending spree when he and the DFL got a hold of the House and Senate. But where I fell in love with him was during COVID. In my house it was a longstanding rule to listen to him when he spoke to us during 2 p.m. news conferences. It was a fearful time for everyone, but he stood and assured us in his leadership he was doing his best, and I believed him. When New York was putting bodies in freezer trucks, he assured Minnesotans it wouldn’t happen on his watch, and we knew and believed him that our loved ones would be treated with dignity. The state purchased a building in St. Paul for just that purpose — that our loved ones would not be put in trucks. He was criticized for it, but the state later sold the building.
I will forever be grateful for his leadership during that scary and difficult time when we knew he had our backs! Congratulations, governor, you have done well for your people.
Linda Nelson, Bloomington
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What do I think of Tim Walz?
- In 2020 my husband lost his job of nearly 27 years. As it turns out, when you close businesses for weeks and weeks, people lose their jobs.
- The very week we got the news about my husband’s job, the city of Minneapolis — where we live —began to burn. We stayed at home under a curfew, watching the news and anxiously wondering when the state would send help.
- I was not allowed to go to church for months, but the governor attended a funeral attended by hundreds of people.
- After the riots I waited for the governor to appeal to Minnesotans’ common humanity — but he lectured us on white privilege.
- My son was out of in-person school for a year. Other states sent students back to school in the fall of 2020.
- The state of Minnesota stood by silently while some cities (including my own) required proof of vaccination to eat in a restaurant. We all know now how utterly ridiculous that was, but no one has ever admitted this mistake.
What do I think of Tim Walz? I want an apology, for all of it.
Catherine Walker, Minneapolis
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I appreciate that the Star Tribune’s article on Walz’s vulnerabilities can be seen as an attempt to shed light on possible smear tactics used against him in his campaign as VP on the Democratic ticket, but in repeating talking points by JD Vance and others, the piece gives uncontested voice to misconceptions of Walz’s role and actions during the arsons following the murder of George Floyd. As a resident of the Third Precinct, I’d like to add some context.
During the first night of the arsons, there was general panic and confusion, yes, as both Mayor Jacob Frey and Walz were dealing with a situation that was spiraling in unpredictable ways. In the days that followed, Walz had a huge impact on quelling that unrest, while respecting the anger and voice of those infuriated by the injustice. Most importantly, he astutely targeted outside provocateurs as the instigators of chaos, not protesters.
Walz chose to keep the peace with Minnesota National Guard under his command. Once Walz took the reins of the situation, the chaos quickly finished. His primary directive? Monitor the influx of outsiders in the mornings and evenings, and shut down major highways leading into Minneapolis. Walz was a member of the Minnesota National Guard himself, and as such, once he was in charge of the situation actually knew what he was doing.
Had the former president declared martial law in Minneapolis, it is unlikely that it would have been rescinded before the election. In attempting to install federal troops in Minneapolis, the former president may have been able to actively leverage the chaos for his own political ends. Walz saved the city, and I think did much to stop those who would have sown chaos to take control of our cities in 2020.
Michael Whistler, Minneapolis
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Sorry to burst your bubble, Minnesotans, but Walz has shown his true colors as a governor and they aren’t pretty. 1) Lack of leadership, as seen during the riots of 2020 when he all but disappeared instead of getting in the forefront and leading the charge to protect citizens and property. 2) Lack of fiscal responsibility to all Minnesota taxpayers as seen in his guidance/support of spending all of the massive $17 billion surplus while increasing taxes. 3) His guidance/support of giveaway programs such as free college education for earners of less than $80,000, which could be somewhat forgivable, but not when the program allows free education for “undocumented immigrants.” 4) His continuation of keeping Minnesota at the top of states with the highest taxes, including his refusal to give full income tax relief on Social Security, regardless of income.
I could go on and on, but if this is the kind of man Kamala Harris wants as a running mate, count me out.
Craig Keepers, Eden Prairie
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Walz has spent his entire life stepping up and serving his community, his state and his country. His willingness to serve is not self-serving but rather heeds the call of our country. Walz takes to heart the opening words of our Constitution: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union ...” — which means our “republic” is not a noun, but rather an adjective. It is an action word. A call to challenge your civic duty to try and leave this world a little bit better than when you came upon it. Social studies teachers understand that definition of citizenship.
Walz is the epitome of a citizen. As a fellow teacher, I was inspired to follow in Walz’s footsteps and run for public office. We both won, partially because I believe Americans truly like their kids’ teachers. After over 230 years, Americans may finally have our first public school teacher as our vice president. I cherish that!
Steve Cwodzinski, Eden Prairie
The writer is a DFL state senator.
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With the announcement that Walz is to be Harris’ running mate, I have read many articles and listened to many news reports praising his “folksy charm.” There’s that word again, “folksy,” over and over. I despise it! “Folksy” seems deliberately programmed to infuriate me.
Politicians are a dishonest bunch at the best of times, but of all the qualities claimed by our leaders, folksiness must be the fakest of the lot. I say to Walz and every other candidate of both parties who stick on their cowboys hats and claim to be “folksy”: You are not good ol’ boys livin’ home on the range in a little house on the prairie, you wear suits and ties and spend your days sitting down in big offices and conference centers in capital cities. That’s fine, it’s the nature of political life, but please stop patronizing me by pretending to be something you’re not.
Are people really taken in by this routine? Whenever Walz switches on his folksy smile I’m repulsed. I think, “This is the behavior of a liar who’s only trying to ingratiate himself.” I can’t abide seeing that in a leader and in this election I can’t support a ticket with Walz.
Robert Frazer, Minneapolis
