“We beat the bully.” That was my first thought when it was declared that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. He had won before, bullies win all the time, but then he had been beaten. After four years of his dangerous and hateful presidency, he was rejected. The ideals he represented, fueled by hatred and anger, faced repudiation. Still, I had yet to see a politician truthfully represent the antithesis of Trump. Then, I saw a man smiling as schoolchildren hugged him.
I won’t pretend I knew who Tim Walz was at the time. I didn’t even bother to learn his name. I saw a Governor leading with compassion and common sense and thought, “That must be nice.” When Walz was announced as a shortlisted candidate for Kamala Harris’s Vice President, I still wasn’t sure! Then, someone connected the dots, I realized that Walz was the caring Governor I had fawned over and my excitement went through the roof. When he was selected, I cried.
A lot of my time is spent raising twin three-year-olds. Above all, I want them to be kind, loving people. So, I lead by example. I’ve talked to so many dads who do not take this route. To each their own, I guess. But more often than not, when chatting with dads at the park, I hear the same things over and over. “I don’t hug them when they cry.” “Don’t do any mom stuff.” “I don’t baby them.” It’s all absurd, hyper-masculine nonsense.
So, seeing Tim Walz bring his Big Dad Energy to the national stage has been a true delight. He’s thoughtful and kind. There is an earnestness to him, that may not be well-suited for the debate stage but is perfect for letting people know that you will run a compassionate campaign. It’s also great for charm, wit, and everything necessary for a great late-night interview.
Walz appeared on Jimmy Kimmel: Live last night and charmed the pants off of Jimmy and his audience. He discusses policy, he drops some jokes, and he sits and talks to Jimmy in a way that doesn’t feel manufactured. Walz is the real deal. His presence is calming and jovial. He’s a fantastic role model, not just for my boys and other children, but for me!
Yes, he is a role model that represents ideals I already held dear. Still, he’s out in the open with it, and that feels rare. He is not hiding how nice he is. Yes, you could argue that his genuine personality is a tool for Harris’s campaign, but it is a good one. It sends the right message. Walz represents good people who want what’s best not only for themselves but for others. That’s the kind of Dad energy we need, and I hope to hear about it at the park real soon.