Walz Sits Down For Interview With Jimmy Kimmel

By
Rachel Stevenson
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Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) sure knows how to keep things interesting—or at least, odd—on the campaign trail.

During his recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Walz revealed a quirky little detail about his relationship with Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently tapped him as her running mate for the 2024 Democratic ticket. And, well, it involves his dry cleaner.

So here’s the story: when Kimmel asked Walz how he has Harris listed in his phone contacts—since he famously missed her call when she first reached out—Walz, after a dramatic pause, dropped the punchline: “It’s my dry cleaner.” That’s right, he’s got the Vice President of the United States saved in his phone as the person who takes care of his laundry. The crowd laughed, Kimmel laughed, and Walz laughed too. But it seems like this joke might reveal a little more than just a quirky sense of humor.

Walz tried to explain himself, saying that he was advised to come up with a secret nickname. And, apparently, the best he could muster was “my dry cleaner.” It’s hard not to wonder if he should have given that one a little more thought—especially since Kimmel had a field day with it, even jokingly worrying about what would happen if his actual dry cleaner called. But hey, maybe “my dry cleaner” is just a nod to the level of service he expects from the Vice President? After all, that’s how you win voters over, right?

But the laughs didn’t end there. Kimmel wrapped up the interview with what he called the highest compliment he could give: “You seem to me like the kind of guy who cleans the lint out of the dryer after every use.” And while that might have gotten some chuckles from the audience, it’s a pretty accurate summary of Walz’s brand of appeal—practical, a little awkward, and definitely playing to that “everyman” vibe. Yet, is that really the vibe you want for a presidential ticket? Because while being diligent about lint might make you a good neighbor, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to lead a country.

Meanwhile, Walz has also made headlines recently for more than just his oddball contact list. At a swanky fundraiser hosted at California Governor Gavin Newsom’s home, he called for an end to the Electoral College. It’s a bold move, especially considering how critical the Electoral College is in shaping our democratic system. But sure, let’s throw out a system that’s been around since the Founding Fathers for… well, what exactly? Because it’s inconvenient for certain campaigns?


Republicans are quick to point out that this sudden love for getting rid of the Electoral College often shows up when Democrats think it’ll benefit them. After all, they’re still sore about losing in 2000 and 2016 when the popular vote didn’t match the Electoral College outcome. Funny how some folks only want to change the rules when they don’t go their way, right? But you’ve got to admire Walz’s willingness to make a scene—even if it’s at a Hollywood mansion surrounded by his California friends.

Between his dry-cleaning gags on late-night TV and a push to overhaul the foundation of American democracy, Walz is certainly trying to bring his own flair to the Democratic ticket. But whether his “everyman” shtick will resonate with voters across the heartland remains to be seen. While he’s cracking jokes on Kimmel, Republicans are more than happy to point out the disconnect between trying to charm late-night hosts and tackling the real issues on voters’ minds—like inflation, the border, and keeping our democracy intact.

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