Former Clinton Adviser ‘Disappointed’ At Harris’ VP Choice As It Signals ‘The Left’ Would ‘Control’ Her Admin

Former Bill Clinton adviser Mark Penn on Tuesday expressed disappointment with Vice President Kamala Harris selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate because it indicates “the left” would dominate if they win the election.

Walz, who has a far-left record on immigration issues and transgender policy, edged out Harris’ rumored top choice, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Penn, on “The Story With Martha MacCallum,” said choosing Walz over Shapiro “sends a message” that Harris is catering to the Democratic base.

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“I’m disappointed in the choice. I had really suggested that Josh Shapiro would be the best choice for a multitude of reasons, but mostly that, ideologically Josh Shapiro really put down a marker that the left wasn’t going to control this next administration and it was a reach out to centrists,” Penn said. “So I think Walz sends a message, Bernie Sanders’ choice, all in with the base. These are two campaigns that could have chosen the Rubios or the Josh Shapiros, but instead chose to go double down on their bases and that’s the way they’re going to run these campaigns.”

NBC’s Chuck Todd said on Tuesday that he believes “progressive backlash” to Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly as running mates influenced Harris to pick Walz. For instance, Democratic anti-Israel activists