GREEN BAY, Wis. — Following the recent vice presidential debate, Democratic nominee Tim Walz has adopted a more assertive campaign style, stepping away from the reserved demeanor he had displayed since joining the ticket.
On Monday, dressed casually in khakis and a navy Harris-Walz sweatshirt, Walz launched some of his most pointed criticisms of former President Donald Trump. He appeared more relaxed and authentic in his campaign appearances, donning his signature flannel in rural Pennsylvania, rather than the formal attire he had preferred in previous months.
Walz is also re-engaging with television audiences, with upcoming appearances on shows like “The View” and “The Daily Show.” A campaign official noted that his visibility surged when he described the GOP ticket as “weird” during a cable news interview prior to his selection as a running mate.
At a campaign event in Valencia, Pennsylvania, Walz joked, “I’m one or two interviews from being a regular on Fox News,” referencing his consecutive appearances on “Fox News Sunday.” He expressed his intent to connect with undecided voters who watch that network.
This renewed vigor is part of the “more aggressive” strategy announced by the Harris-Walz campaign to enhance Walz’s visibility and effectiveness after his debate with Republican nominee JD Vance earlier this month. Before this shift, he had largely been absent from television and avoiding media inquiries.
In recent weeks, Walz has been actively campaigning in swing states while sharpening his critiques of the Trump-Vance campaign. He condemned Trump’s recent remarks about intending to use the U.S. Army against dissenters, stating, “To Donald Trump, anybody who doesn’t agree with him is the enemy. I tell you that because we need to whip his butt and put this guy behind us.”
Walz has frequently highlighted Trump’s age on the campaign trail, labeling the 78-year-old as a “nearly 80-year-old.” He asserted this week that Trump hasn’t released his medical records because he “forgot” to do so.
While campaigning in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Walz remarked, “If this was your grandfather, you would take the keys away,” referring to Trump’s recent rally where he opted for music over engaging with audience questions.
Additionally, Walz is participating in numerous local media interviews daily, including podcasts, and made an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
“I wish this thing wasn’t so close,” Walz admitted at a fundraiser in Pittsburgh, echoing advice from his wife, Gwen. “As my wife says, quit wishing about it and do the work.”