Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D)hesitated Wednesday when asked by CNN’s Kasie Hunt, “Who is the leader of the Democratic Party?” (Watch the video below.)
He then gave a cautious reply — perhaps another indication the party is still reeling after the loss of Kamala Harris and running mate Walz to Donald Trump and JD Vance.
“I think the voting public, right now, is what I would say,” the governor answered with a laugh. “We’re not going to have a charismatic leader ride in here and save us from this.”
If “leader” can be defined as the Democrat who has the best shot at becoming president next time, recent polls say Harris would still be the voters’ choice right now, followed by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Earlier in the CNN interview, Hunt asked Walz if Harris was the future leader. He gave a less-than-firm response: “Well, I certainly think she could be.” Nor did he offer an endorsement when Hunt asked him if Harris should run again.
“I think she had a positive message,” he replied in extended video posted by Mediaite.
As for his own presidential aspirations, Walz said: “I don’t need to be on the ticket, but I do need to be there [to help], I believe, because what I saw in the country and what we’re able to do.”
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In the meantime, Trump remains a force to be reckoned with, Walz said.
“This guy is a master of continuing to just throw everything at the wall and see what sticks and we take the bait on it.”