Pelosi says Democrats are ‘thrilled’ over new Harris-Walz ticket

Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats are “thrilled” that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has joined U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign as her running mate, calling the energy in the party “explosive.”

Pelosi spoke to Global News as she was leaving MSNBC’s studios in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, a day after Walz was officially announced as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee.

“He’s just great,” Pelosi said when asked about Walz, who previously served with her in Congress. “Members (of the House Democratic caucus) are so thrilled.

“He brings vision, he brings values, he brings strategic thinking, but he also brings lots of friendship.”

Harris — who just secured the Democratic nomination Monday, just over two weeks after U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the race — was facing enormous pressure to pick a vice-presidential nominee who wouldn’t squander the momentum she has been enjoying since she first announced her candidacy.

The raucous reception at a Philadelphia rally Tuesday night, where Harris and Walz made their debut as running mates, suggested she had succeeded. Pelosi seemed to agree, noting the “whole dynamic is different” compared to the last days of Biden’s campaign.

“My daughter was at the rally in Philadelphia last night and she said it was just explosive,” Pelosi told Global News on Wednesday. “Young people, everyone, just so happy.”

Asked if she feels Democrats have a winning campaign under Harris and Walz, Pelosi responded: “Oh, we have to win. There’s no question about that.”

Walz served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years before running for the governorship in Minnesota in 2018.

A 24-year veteran of the Army National Guard, Walz became known in Congress as