When Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate, was it a good choice or a bad one? The answer is yes.

We should think of Walz as the candidate of nuance. In any other era, this Democrat — who is a hunter and former football coach, and held the rank of command sergeant major in the Army National Guard — might have been a Republican. He seems likely to connect with those voters who think that our politics are too rigid and dominated by the extremes in both parties. For those who want leaders who are complex, independent and able to work across the aisle, Walz fits the bill.

But as to whether this was a good choice for Harris, or a bad one, the answer is unclear. The proposition could be argued round or flat, depending on what criteria we use.

One could argue Walz is an excellent choice.

— He is a happy warrior who has a sunny disposition and great communication skills but who also isn't afraid to throw punches at his opponents, as he demonstrated this week in his first appearance alongside Harris, in Philadelphia.

— He has an impressive resume, which includes 24 years in the Army National Guard, high school teacher, football coach, congressman and governor. He also has rural roots and a small-town upbringing.

— He lives far outside the Acela Corridor; for those of us who believe that we have too many leaders from the region in the Northeast that connects Boston and Washington, D.C., the Minnesotan offers a refreshing change of geography.

— He is not afraid to compromise with the opposition. As governor, he has shown that he can reach across the aisle and work with Republicans who are willing to work with him in order to get things done for Minnesota.

— He has sharp political skills, including a lot of emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with everyday voters. His plainspoken style resonates with Americans who are tired of politicians who never stop talking but don't say anything.

Or, conversely, one could argue that Walz is a terrible choice.

— He will have to answer for being indecisive and slow to send in the National Guard to stop rioters from attacking police officers and burning down a police station in 2020 after George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer.

— He won't be delivering a state that isn't already solidly in the Democratic column. A majority of Minnesota voters have not backed a Republican candidate since President Richard Nixon ran for reelection in 1972. Harris was always likely to carry Minnesota.

— He looks old. He's only 60, but he looks 70. After Republicans spent months making age an issue when Joe Biden led the ticket, Democrats briefly had an age advantage running against a 78-year-old Donald Trump. They surrendered it.

— He has championed many liberal causes in Minnesota, and so he doesn't add much to what Harris brings to the table. Instead of the broader appeal than a moderate might offer, he merely doubles down on progressivism.

— He is not flashy or the most exciting elected official in the country. And his brand of "Minnesota nice" could be misinterpreted by some outside the Land of 10,000 Lakes as boring and weak. He'll have to show otherwise.

So that's the picture. Clear as mud, right? Maybe this is how politicians are supposed to be: complicated.

Like any running mate — including Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, with whom Trump chose to buddy up before realizing that there is a "no returns" policy when it comes to potential future vice presidents — Walz is a mixed bag. He has assets and liabilities. For Harris, this was either a brilliant find or a missed opportunity. Time will tell.

For now, though, this much is clear. This was an unconventional choice, and therefore a brave choice. According to media reports, when Harris and Walz met at the vice president's residence at Number One Observatory Circle, the two had good chemistry. Walz must have come across to Harris as someone who loyally would stand at her side and aggressively push back against anyone who got in their way.

With Walz, Harris obviously saw something in this "everyman" from Minnesota that appealed to her. Now what she's counting on is that he will have the same effect on the rest of us.

To find out more about Ruben Navarrette and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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