At SXSW 2025, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota participated in a live taping of Today, Explained, where he offered candid insights into the current state of American politics, including his advice for Democrats on how to confront Republicans in Congress effectively.
Reflecting on the 2024 election, Walz offered a postmortem on his party’s performance, acknowledging that Democrats had been too cautious, failed to take enough risks, and didn’t engage enough with undecided voters. He emphasized that the lack of a compelling message and an unwillingness to fully challenge Republicans contributed to their inability to reclaim key legislative seats.
With the GOP now controlling Congress, Walz stressed the urgency for Democrats to confront their opponents with a clear and unwavering stance. When asked by Rameswaram about James Carville’s recent New York Times op-ed, “It’s Time for a Daring Political Maneuver, Democrats,” where Carville suggests that Democrats should simply “roll over and play dead,” Walz responded with a sharp contrast in philosophy. “I know that what James is saying is when somebody is digging a hole, let him keep digging. Don’t get in. I’m kind of the adage, especially with these guys, let’s help them dig and get this hole done faster so people start flipping, and we can start fixing this thing quicker,” Walz said.
“Democrats have to realize that it’s not just about compromise for the sake of compromise,” Walz stated. He emphasized that while cooperation is necessary, it should not come at the cost of core values and policy goals.
Walz also acknowledged his failed campaign against President Donald Trump and JD Vance, admitting, “I’m probably the last guy (to give advice to Congress), I didn’t get it done, and we needed to win.” He expressed regret about what he could have done better, saying, “I’m being reflective of what I could have done better, what I should have done better.”
Walz also emphasized the importance of not letting Republicans off the hook when it comes to passing a budget in Congress, urging Democrats to avoid giving them the votes that could legitimize harmful policies. He argued that while the shutdown could have significant consequences, such as impacting states and their resources, Democrats should not shoulder the responsibility for a budget they disagree with.
“If the Republicans can’t pass a budget with the presidency, the House, and the Senate, you let them figure that part out,” Walz stated.
He made it clear that Democrats should stand firm and let Republicans take responsibility for the policies they want to push forward. “If you want to cut Social Security and Medicare, then go ahead and do that, but you’re going to go home and own it,” Walz stated.
Rather than passively waiting for compromise, Walz advocated for a more active role in shaping policy outcomes. He urged lawmakers to be bold and push for their values in the face of partisan gridlock. “If you’re not willing to stand up for what you believe in, then what’s the point of being in this business?” he asserted.
During the discussion, Walz also shared his perspective on the challenges of leading in an environment where the political divide often seems insurmountable. The Governor stated that the change in America won’t come from a singular, charismatic leader.
“It’s going to be a whole bunch of people who don’t want to see kids go hungry, who don’t want to see healthcare ripped apart, who don’t want to throw Ukraine under the bus on the side of Russia. Those folks are going to stand up and make a difference,” he said.
