Minnesota Governor and Vice Presidential-hopeful Tim Walz is a bona fide automobile man. His teal 1979 Worldwide Harvester Scout II has form of develop into an icon of the Harris-Walz marketing campaign, and it reinforces his entire “small-town Midwest dad” vibe. Because it seems, that previous truck, what it represents and Walz’s DIY perspective are paying dividends with voters. The Los Angeles Occasions explains:
The selection impresses individuals like Brandon Ray, a 48-year-old fellow Scout II proprietor from Phoenix. As Ray tells it, he’d simply gone by way of a divorce 15 years in the past when a “bad-ass” yellow Scout II caught his eye. The SUV bore two decals: One mentioned, “Face your fears,” the opposite, “Stay your dream.” He purchased the Scout.
“It did what it mentioned it was gonna do,” Ray mentioned. “I confronted my fears and lived a few of my desires in that truck.”
Information that Walz owns a 1979 Scout II got here as a shock to Ray. “I simply don’t image a blue man driving a f— Scout,” he mentioned, referencing Walz’s Democratic affiliation.
After all, being into vehicles wouldn’t be something new for the Democratic ticket. Relatively famously, President Joe Biden has a inexperienced 1967 Chevy Corvette convertible that he has cherished for years. It’s good to see that development proceed.
This automobile fanatic persona isn’t something new for Walz, both. He’s lengthy been speaking about, taking a look at and dealing on vehicles, in keeping with the LA Occasions.
Amid Walz’s whirlwind journey to the nationwide political stage, his automobile credentials have develop into a part of his story. Notably, a 2018 video of Walz admonishing Ford over a low-quality headlight harness has resurfaced to the delight of gearheads.
The teacher-turned-Minnesota governor wrenches on vehicles and goes to traditional auto reveals, too. However the obvious a part of his pistons-and-pushrods persona is his Scout.
For years, Walz, 60, has taken to social media to share images of his Scout, which is painted an arresting glacier blue and sports activities a license plate that reads “ONE MN,” an obvious reference to his “One Minnesota” political slogan. Of the various American classics nonetheless roaming the roads, the Scout is one imbued with explicit that means.
If there’s one demographic Walz will pull in for Harris’ presidential marketing campaign, it’s Scout homeowners. They love this man, in keeping with the Los Angeles Occasions.
“Anybody who desires to keep up and preserve a ’79 Scout is just not your common particular person,” mentioned Gary Brown, an Orange County software program engineer who has restored and offered about 10 Scouts over three many years. “It takes somebody with a retro or considerably older mindset … [who] is aware of easy methods to tinker.”
“I like guys like that — guys who can make things better,” he mentioned.
As for Ray, who’s promoting one other Scout — a uncommon 1978 model priced at $59,999 — he didn’t wish to discuss politics, which he known as “a troublesome matter.”
However, in a nod to the unifying energy of vehicles, Ray imagined a visit he and Walz may take into the wilds of the Southwest: “Perhaps he and I can exit within the dunes one among today?”
I do know it in all probability received’t rely for a lot, however courting truck homeowners away from Republicans may make some form of distinction.
When Ray expressed shock over Walz’s possession of a 4×4, he was tapping right into a stereotype: Vehicles are for Republicans. It’s a notion that former President Trump has leaned into, singing the praises of beefy American rides, even saying in 2019, “I like vehicles of all sorts.”
“Even once I was somewhat boy at 4 years previous my mom would say, ‘You like vehicles,’” Trump continued. “I do. I all the time cherished vehicles.”
Time will inform if these items have any actual impression on Trump voters. I’m not so certain, however hey, what do I do know?
