Walz on Trump: Swallow hard, commit to future

FRIDLEY, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz, his bid defeated as the Kamala Harris running mate for the White House, expressed disappointment in his first Minnesota address since returning from the campaign. Acknowledging that 1.5 million Minnesotans voted for Trump, Walz said: “It’s hard to understand why so many of our fellow citizens, people we have fought so long and hard for, wound up choosing the other path.” But to his supporters, Walz urged persistence and thinking long term: “So if you’re feeling deflated, discouraged today, I get it. Take some time, take care of yourselves, take care of your loved ones, take care of your community. And get back in this fight when you’re ready.” The reality was that Minnesota favored the Harris-Walz ticket 51% to 48%, but nationally it was Trump who won. Walz’ focus was on next time: “Even in the face of defeat and deep disappointment, I’ve never felt more inspired. I’ve never felt more motivated. I’ve never felt more fired up about what’s possible in this country.” Walz spoke at the Fridley High School auditorium. The crowd frequently interrupted with applause. The governor discouraged sweeping judgments against “people who don’t agree with us, to assume that they act out of cruelty or fear or self-interest. That kind of judgment, he said, may seem right at the moment. ge saud, “B=but I think we — and I’m speaking about myself — need to swallow a little bit of pride and try harder to find common ground with our neighbors who didn’t vote like we did.”