Tim Walz says he’ll never seek elected office again

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/minnesota-governor-tim-walz-will-never-seek-elected-office-again-rcna256424

49 Comments

  1. Dizzy_Solution_7255 on

    It’s a shame. Tim Walz is one of the few Dems with the balls to stand up to Trump and call him on his bullshit. We need someone strong like that

  2. He knows this system is washed.

    It might be salvageable if Citizens United gets overturned.

  3. >He said he found that there are “heroes on the streets that we don’t know their names.”
    >
    >“They’re never going to run for office, and those grass-tops leaders brought this administration to their knees this week to do something about it. So there’s other ways to serve, and I’ll find them,” he said
    >
    Usually I’d cynically dismiss this as he’s going to retire and knock cold ones down on a beach. He earned it after the shit he’s been put through.

    This reads more like a politician in a war torn country saying “I’m going to the front lines”

  4. FantasticBicycle37 on

    Alternate timeline in which Harris won, and the biggest news was Walz sharing his hot cocoa recipe after a long day of shoveling the driveway

  5. Cheating_Data_Monkey on

    I don’t blame him. Not in the least.

    Both my parents were public servants, though not elected Dad with DoD and mom with numerous social services and education organizations.

    It became who they were. And it comes with a cost. They finally both retired when one was in their late 60s, the other in their very early 70s (one of them was a bit of a cradle robber, many decades earlier).

    They obviously went too long. From my perspective, they should have called it quits a decade earlier. But when they were done, they knew they were done.

    As I’m pushing on in age, I can see that horizon coming. At some point, I’ll be done.

    It’s not cowardice, it’s not giving up, it’s just that there’s no fight left in you. This is natural and normal. At some point, it’s ok to step out and enjoy the family and friends you’ve created.

    And I hope I can do it with as much grace as this public servant has.

  6. The people calling Walz a coward didn’t work in public service for over 40 years at the levels he did.

  7. He’s the kind of guy we would be lucky to have. Someone who doesn’t want the power but was willing to do the job. 

    Unfortunately, we need gladiators now out of necessity. 

  8. KeyInvestigator3741 on

    Aww! I’m sad because I literally just became aware of him when Kamala got the nom. And I’m so appreciative of her putting him on my radar, I love what he got done for Minnesota. Congratulations to him and his wife on a wonderful career of service and for raising 2 awesome kids from what I can see!

    I wish we could have had Kamala and Tim but people fucked it up

  9. >“They’re never going to run for office, and those grass-tops leaders brought this administration to their knees this week to do something about it. So there’s other ways to serve, and I’ll find them,” he said.

    Sounds like he’s lost faith in politics and doesn’t think anything can be changed via the current system.

  10. America…twice…all you had to do was vote for the lady in the pantsuit.

    There were two decent guys who could have served as competent vice presidents.

  11. Shame. Would have voted for him. Hell, I *did* vote for him. Would have made a cool VP.

    Don’t blame him one bit – his tenure has devolved into hell on earth, all because of the Feds. But I do hope he changes his mind. We need more men like Tim Walz in power.

  12. Plan-B-Rip-and-Tear on

    This is not an easy time to be a leader. We have many politicians who would have been a good leader in a different timeline, including him.

    Don’t blame him for bowing out. This is not easy.

    But we need people to stand up. Quickly, or we’re fucked.

  13. glitterandnails on

    And this is why politics is a cesspool, only corrupt people for the most part can stand to be in it.

  14. turb0_encapsulator on

    I think he’s choosing the life of his family over politics. Don’t forget that the Minnesota State House Democratic caucus leader was shot and killed last year, along with her husband, by a guy who would probably be wearing an ICE uniform today if he wasn’t caught.

  15. Better for him to recognize that he isn’t the one and step aside, rather than disappoint us all, again. If only Biden had been so wise

  16. indierockrocks on

    This is really sad. They accomplished their goal of getting another real leader out of politics.

  17. Then they succeeded, I was thinking Walz had a legitimate chance at a White House run. I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility that this was done to prevent that.

  18. tapdncingchemist on

    Lots of people were speculating a few days ago about what concession he made in his productive conversation with Trump. I wonder if this was it. If so, he sacrificed his political career for his constituents.

  19. We’re losing horrible Republicans and good Democrats.. The LIES spread about this family is abhorrent.. Until Trump, we didn’t see so many attacks on Democratic officials, supporters, and be told, OH WELL.. The Republican Party is NO MORE, IT’S THE MAGA CULT PARTY and Democratic Party.. This is what ONE MAN brought to us that an ENTIRE PARTY capitulated too! They DO NOT CARE about this country or it’s people, just their own power.

  20. Every politician reaches a point in a campaign where they start to fantasize about an illness or injury that would force them to drop out of the race but wouldn’t kill them and nobody could blame them.

    Most politicians reach a point where you absolutely can not push through it anymore.

    Literally you can ask them. My state rep’s is breaking a hip walking on ice. Mine was getting in a car accident at this one dangerous intersection. My friend on the town council fantasizes about pneumonia.

    Politics is the US is terrible if you’re not a sociopath. It’s running for prom queen every day forever with periodic actual popularity contests.

  21. He is a nice man who ran for office thinking there were rules and stopgap measures. I wouldn’t put my family through this chaos we’re experiencing now.

  22. RespectGiovanni on

    If he’s not going for reelection then he needs to go fully supporting the people with the backing of the state government

  23. You know, I have no illusions that politics have always been cutthroat and dirty. But it’s a damn shame. There are a lot of good people out there who would be excellent leaders and policymakers but never will because of the personal toll it takes on them and their families. It’s just proof why we need governance in the first place, or it would be mayhem. Instead it’s this self-locking popsicle that we see now.

  24. Wrong-Pension-4975 on

    This is a good decision for Gov Walz – & God knows, we can’t begrudge the man some peace of mind. 😞
    He’s had an incredibly hellish year – we ***all*** have! – but his was worse.

    Sadly, it’s a real loss for America, & a blow to our hopes – he’s a good man, & it’s rare, these days, to have a mensch in politics.

    The toxic, vicious personal attacks on political figures have got to END – we cannot go on like this, with constant death threats, harassment, baseless accusations, SWAT callouts, “mystery powders” in the mail, hate speech… It’s insane.
    Our democracy needs sanity.

  25. They had the chance: A bag of dicks, or two really nice folks that can try to unite people.

    F up world.

  26. Imagine what his family is going through considering the rabid behavior of Trump supporters. I wouldn’t put my family through any more of that.

  27. I totally get it but it’s a real shame, he’s such a great guy I’d love to see him in higher office

  28. A Democratic Republic is always greater than one man & this guy knows how to pass the torch. 🖖

  29. I understand, appreciate and respect his decision. But he’s not the one I wish would never seek elected office again.

  30. Can’t blame him. Anyone would want peace after all the shit this administration has unleashed on him eversince he ran for VP.

  31. I don’t blame him. His family was put through too much crap. He’s protecting his son.

  32. The people who would actually make good leaders and presidents are being forced out. We might be cooked for real.