MSNBC Pundits Question Harris's Vice Presidential Pick of Walz

Media commentators on CNN and MSNBC expressed concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris's choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, suggesting he may not appeal to centrists and could alienate potential voters.

MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes raised concerns about Governor Walz's appeal to moderate voters. Sykes suggested that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro would have been a more strategic pick, given Pennsylvania's status as a key swing state with 19 electoral votes. He argued that Shapiro's ability to attract centrist voters could have been an advantage for the Democratic ticket.

CNN commentator Van Jones raised questions about the influence of antisemitism within the Democratic Party, speculating if Harris's decision to not choose Shapiro, who is Jewish, was influenced by anti-Jewish bias. Jones expressed concern about the role of anti-Jewish sentiment in shaping the party's decisions.

MSNBC Pundits Question Harris's Vice Presidential Pick of Walz

Some pundits suggested that Harris's choice of Walz signaled a shift towards the left within the Democratic Party. Former Ohio governor and MSNBC contributor John Kasich expressed his belief that Shapiro's inclusion on the ticket would have helped them appeal to a broader range of voters.

Sykes also questioned the decision-making process behind Harris's choice, noting that Shapiro was widely seen as a frontrunner for the position. He raised concerns about the potential influence of online anti-Israeli sentiment on Harris's decision, suggesting that it may have played a role in Shapiro's exclusion.

MSNBC Pundits Question Harris's Vice Presidential Pick of Walz

CNN's David Axelrod praised Walz's qualifications but acknowledged his limited appeal in terms of winning swing states. He emphasized that Minnesota hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1972, indicating that Walz's presence on the ticket might not be a significant electoral advantage.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, a co-host of "The View" and CNN political commentator, described Harris's choice as "an extraordinary missed opportunity." She outlined the pros and cons of Walz, noting that he was not seen as a moderating force on the Democratic ticket.

MSNBC Pundits Question Harris's Vice Presidential Pick of Walz

Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle expressed her concerns about Harris's public speaking skills and decision-making abilities, suggesting that she had done nothing to alleviate these fears.

Several pundits took to social media to react to the Walz pick. Former CNN pundit Chris Cillizza labeled it as "a weird choice," while MSNBC's Brendan Buck characterized it as "very 2019." Buck expressed his belief that it reflected poorly on Harris's decision-making process.

MSNBC Pundits Question Harris's Vice Presidential Pick of Walz

Walz has drawn criticism for his use of the term "weird" to describe his political opponents. He has also been criticized for encouraging "White Dudes for Harris" to embrace their progressive values, suggesting that socialism could be interpreted as "neighborliness."

Fox News' Brian Flood and Gabriel Hays contributed to this report.