The selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris' running mate begins a dangerous and exciting time for Democrats.

Walz looks like a smart choice on paper for now: A Midwestern governor who has won solid victories in a purple state, with military credentials and time in Congress. Former football coach and high school teacher who comes from a rural part of his state. And perhaps most important, a gifted messenger who has set the tone of news coverage the past couple weeks with his attack on Republican nominees Donald Trump and JD Vance as “weird.”

Trump Republicans understand how one simple word or phrase can become dominant in modern politics. “Crooked Hillary” was a stroke of genius, and like all good messaging, it was simple and easy to repeat, and clearly sunk in with millions of voters.

But Walz is a gamble.

The truth is, almost any pick Harris made would be.

Every time a politician rises up a level, the scrutiny intensifies, and things can come out that didn't before. It doesn't mean something will come out, but the chance goes up.

Think about it this way: A story that was too much of a rumor, too........

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