UPDATED with more reactions: A lot of Hollywood power players may have be voting for Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to be Kamala Harris‘ running mate, but now that Harris has chosen Tim Walz to be her VP, one of the Democrats’ biggest donor bases has a lot of good things to say about the Minnesota governor.
News of Walz’s selection was first reported by CNN on Tuesday morning, and Harris has made it official:
The current President of the United States was right on board with what he called a “great decision”:
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Out of an election season that has been an ever-accelerating roller coaster the past two months, The Daily Show said a bit of the quiet thing out loud about a man most of American had barely heard before a few weeks ago:
In a July 3 exclusive guest column for Deadline, Damon Lindelof was the first major Hollywood name and big-time Democratic donor to urge President Joe Biden to step aside after his June 27 debate debacle against Donald Trump on CNN. Today, the Emmy winner offered America a playful alternative version of the ticket:
In that SNL vein, a certain former member of the Lorne Michaels-run show, who happens to an ex-Minnesota senator, also had something to say:
Rob Reiner was not far behind Lindelof among big Tinseltown names to call for Biden to abandon his reelection bid. Today The American President director was blunt and very much behind the new ticket:
Bridesmaids director Paul Feig shared his enthusiasm and his casting genius as news of Walz’s selection spread:
Putting their love of learning front and center, Yvette Nicole Brown and Ken Burns weren’t holding back either:
Two former candidates for high office also had some very nice things to say abut the two-term governor from home of previous VPs Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale:
As did a certain POTUS and First Lady:
Also, Wonder Woman herself made the case for Walz:
As did a cabinet secretary tipped by many in Hollywood and elsewhere for another White House run himself one day, and seen as a potential VP pick by Harris this year:
The two men seen as the leading rivals to Walz for the number two slot both came out quickly to praise Harris’s choice and the governor:
Captain Phillips screenwriter, lon time Democratic activist and host of Deadline’s Strike Talk podcast may had a lot of good things to say about Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) on the ElectionLine podcast last month. Today, Ray was full-on for Walz:
Harris and Walz are set to unveil the Dems’ ticket in a mega-rally in Philadelphia tonight before hitting the road for a four-day tour of battleground states. Hard rock fan Stephen King offered some words of advice for all concerned – with an 1980s pop twist:
On the other side, a comedy legend took a well-considered swing at the GOP with a touch of the “weird” term Walz has popularized to taint Trump and running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH):