House Speaker Mike Johnson weighed in on Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate for the upcoming presidential election, describing the choice as both predictable and beneficial for former President Donald Trump.

Johnson, as the GOP leader of the upper chamber, believes that Harris’ selection of Walz could potentially enhance Trump’s chances of victory in the November election, as the Post Millennial reports.

Harris Chooses Walz

The vice president officially announced her pick of Walz as her running mate on Tuesday morning.

The decision came after a selection process in which Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was widely considered a frontrunner. Shapiro had been vying for the position alongside Walz and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.

Shapiro’s Jewish background and the ongoing conflict in Gaza were reportedly key points of contention during the selection process.

The conflict, sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, had resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 200 kidnappings, many of whom are still in Hamas custody. This issue showed significant division among Democratic voters, potentially influencing Harris’ decision.

Johnson expressed surprise but a sense of expectation regarding Harris’ choice.

“I didn’t expect that she would do it because she has proven, once again, to be true to her principles and her priorities, and they’re not aligned with the American people,” said Johnson.

Johnson Views Walz as Far-Left Candidate

Johnson labeled Walz as a far-left candidate and suggested that a moderate candidate would have been a better strategic choice for Harris.

“He is a far-left candidate and choice. I frankly thought that she might try to choose a moderate, but obviously she has proven once again who she is,” Johnson commented. His observations underscore the ideological divides that often define election strategies.

Johnson further noted, “We refer to Kamala Harris as a San Francisco radical because she is,” reflecting his view of Harris’ political stance. He added that Walz’s selection verifies this perspective.

With the election cycle underway, Johnson emphasized the need for clarity in political positions.

“Our challenges in the election cycle is to make those positions known and not let them obscure, try to obscure their record, which they’re already attempting to do,” he stated. This highlights the forthcoming tactics both parties might employ to draw voter attention to differing policy records.

Shapiro Considered a Smarter Choice by Johnson

Reflecting on the selection process, Johnson remarked that Josh Shapiro would have been a more strategic pick for Harris’ campaign. “Shapiro would have been a smarter choice,” he asserted, indicating that Shapiro’s moderate stance could have bridged some of the ideological divides among Democratic voters.

The tension within the Democratic party regarding policy positions on key issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict surfaced during the VP selection. The war in Gaza, which was caused by an attack from Hamas terrorists resulting in significant casualties and kidnappings, divided Democratic voters, especially in relation to Shapiro’s background.

Before the selection, Shapiro's Jewish ethnicity and the polarized views on Israel among Democrats were seen as potential obstacles.

Harris’ decision to overlook Shapiro in favor of Walz might indicate an effort to solidify her base among far-left voters rather than appeal to a broader, more moderate audience.

As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how Harris’ choice will influence her campaign and Trump’s prospects. Johnson’s remarks underscore the Republican strategy to emphasize perceived far-left associations and spotlight policy differences.