Ex-Republican sings praises of Tim Walz to Fox News
A former Republican lawmaker spoke out to a Fox News audience to reveal what a great vice president he thinks Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will be for America.
Writing for Fox News, former Rep. Charles Djou (R-HI) recalled serving with Walz in Congress before he became governor.
"Tim and I represented different political parties – he as a Democrat, and I as a Republican – yet we found common ground and worked together on numerous issues for the betterment of our constituents and our nation," Djou wrote. "More than ever, America just needs a normal guy to help lead our nation and bring us together."
Read also: Why ‘vanilla’ Tim Walz is the ingredient to beat Trump: Dem lawmakers
Djou, who has since left the GOP to become an Independent, recalled that they bonded over their mutual military service, Walz in the Minnesota Army National Guard for 24 years and Djou for over 20 years in the same branch. Walz re-enlisted after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, he told Minnesota Public Radio in an interview.
"In Congress, Tim and I bonded over our shared experiences as soldiers and cultivated a mutual respect that transcended party lines," wrote Djou. "We understood that even if we might disagree on a specific policy issue of the day, we both shared a deep love of country and a willingness to defend America in military service. As fellow veterans, Tim and I understood there is no such thing as Republican military service or Democrat military service, only American service."
He sang Walz's praises for his work on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, saying that he "demonstrated a simple commitment to policies that would improve people’s lives regardless of any political advantage."
At the close of the piece, Djou said that one characteristic he loves is that Walz is not a "showboat politician," of which, he said, the country has "enough."
He complained that such leaders "talk with bluster, self-aggrandizement and a toxic partisan tongue over endless social media posts," but Walz is different.
"America needs a gracious and kind individual who talks as a friendly neighbor, understands your community like a local high school football coach, knows the commitment of military service as a veteran and advocates policies for all Americans -- not just for Republicans or Democrats," he said.