Does V.P. pick make a difference?

This year is the 20th time I’ve voted for president. And not once did the choice of a vice-presidential running mate make a difference to me. Who could Kamala Harris have selected that would have turned me off enough to stay home on Election Day? Who could have driven me to vote for Donald Trump?

Did Sarah Palin bring many votes to John McCain that wouldn’t have been cast for him anyway? How about Dan Quayle? I liked Al Gore a lot better than Bill Clinton, but I would have voted for Clinton if his running mate had been Mickey Mouse.

I think this year is different. I think Tim Walz is centrist enough to attract some Republicans who don’t like Donald Trump and who will like him less as he attacks, curses, and belittles Harris, Walz, and certainly any “fellow” Republican whose support seems wobbly or anti. I think Tim Walz will bring enough popular votes in the right places to make some electoral difference. There are Pepto Bismol Republicans who will swallow anything and continue to vote for Trump, but others won’t get over their distress. Walz is nature’s cure, a hunter, a jock, a happy campaigner. He has drawn Republican votes every time he’s run for office. That is six times for the state legislature, two for Congress, and twice for governor.

About five hours after being selected, Walz was the subject of two Republican sites that shared their wisdom. The Trump campaign told me that Walz would be the worst vice president in our history. This judgment seems a bit premature even coming from an ignorant source who apparently forgot about Hannibal Hamlin and Daniel Tompkins.

The rhetoric was even worse from another source that somehow converted me and put me on its list. “Catholic Voice”— doesn’t sound like any Catholic I know — is a publication of the Archdiocese of Omaha; and I suspect it doesn’t reflect the views of most parishioners.

“Kamala Harris is going all-in for her far-left base …. With only 90 days to go, her choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is the most left-wing direction she could have taken.”

That, of course, is absurd. He served six terms in the U.S. House, gaining essential votes from the far-middle, not the far-left. As governor, Walz has worked successfully with everyone, driven by his welcoming personality and his listening ability, and not some non-existent left-wing ideology.

A victory for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will not bring these predicted results: “More weaponization of the federal government against Catholics and pro-lifers.’’ “Parents labeled domestic terrorists for protecting their kids.’’ “Lawsuits against Catholic hospitals, schools, and charities.’’

I think this 21st time I cast a presidential ballot, my vote still won’t be determined by the vice-presidential nominee, but Minnesota Nice, a twin to the old Iowa Nice, will have me casting my vote with a smile, a cheer, and a contribution beyond what I can afford.

Norman Sherman of Coralville has worked extensively in politics, including as Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s press secretary.