What Do You Think of This Guy Now? Steven Beschloss Sep 21 I don’t know much about fixing cars, but I know a beautiful classic car when I see it. I didn’t know it was possible to make a campaign video that combines both car mechanics and policy that educates and charms viewers, but I just saw one. I didn’t know how Kamala Harris’ running mate could bring in new voters—including Independents and even some Republicans—by sharing his heartfelt hobby, but I think I know now. The car is a 1979 International Harvester Scout in aqua blue with a white top. “Everything works on here,” Tim Walz tells viewers, clad in a baseball cap and black t-shirt, pointing at his proud possession. “Come here, take a look at this, I’ll show you how this thing works. It’s fascinating how the cruise control works on these old vehicles.” Then he lifts the hood and tells us it’s “a 345 International motor—no computers, all analog.” Kamala Harris and Walz have told voters “we’re not going back,” but Walz is determined to remind us there are some old things worth saving. He also used this lesson in car mechanics to talk about their plans for an “opportunity economy” in which everybody “can get the opportunity to thrive”—in sharp contrast to the never-true trickle-down economy Donald Trump and JD Vance offer with more tax cuts for billionaires. “They don’t care about fixing the cruise control on a ‘79 International ‘cuz they can buy whatever they want. Middle-class folks are the ones who need a tax cut—and that’s what a President Harris administration will do…when the middle-class is strong, America is strong.” Soon he goes in for the kill, his head popping out from under the hood, making a connection I never thought I’d hear from a vice-presidential nominee: "Look, to be able to work on this thing, you’ve got a manual…Donald Trump and JD Vance have a manual, too. It’s called Project 2025 and it’s a way to stick it to the middle class by giving tax cuts to the wealthiest, rigging our economy to make it more difficult for people…they didn't give me a manual for this if you didn't plan on using it to fix your truck. They didn't create that Project 2025 just to have it sit around as a doorstop." A recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll found that 48% of likely voters had favorable views of Tim Walz and 36% found him unfavorable. This compared to 37% who found JD Vance favorable and 49% who found him unfavorable. Ten days from now, on Oct. 1, Walz and Vance will have a 90-minute debate hosted by CBS News and moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan. Count me among those enthused by the prospect of Walz skillfully taking apart Vance like he does a broken car engine. We’ve had a mere six weeks to get to know Kamala Harris’ choice of a running mate. Seems like this is a good time to pause and ask: What do you think of this guy now? Do you think Walz’s approach to campaigning is working? Do you think it will affect the outcome? Is he drawing in voters that Harris might have struggled to attract? Lastly, do you want to see more videos combining car mechanics and policy as much as I do? As always, I look forward to reading your observations and the opportunity for this community to learn from each other. Please do be respectful in your remarks. Trolling will not be tolerated. One note: Comments coming Monday on the travesty of North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson and the state of the GOP. *Photo: Video screenshot of VP nominee Tim Walz from “The Manual.”