Media Matters is taking offense at the news coverage in several publications which deals with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who has been thrust into the spotlight since being named running mate for Democrat presidential hopeful Kamala Harris.
According to writer Jack Winstanley, “Conservatives accused Walz, a longtime gun owner and hunter, of being a ‘political chameleon’ and ‘flip-flopping’ because he supports ‘common-sense solutions to end gun violence.’”
The report accuses “right wing media” of having “lobbed a range of attacks at Walz, including calling him “radical” for his current stance on gun control.” The article defends Walz’s shift on guns, alleging that critics have “left out vital context about how mass shootings contributed to his embrace of gun safety reforms, or claimed that he arbitrarily ‘flipped on guns’ for political gain.’”
Walz once enjoyed an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association, but that went away when the governor threw his support for a ban on so-called “assault weapons.”
The article lists many of the reports on Walz, whose philosophy on guns reportedly began changing in the aftermath of the October 2017 massacre of people attending a concert in Las Vegas, and months later, the February 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
Not mentioned was a report at Ammoland News, which looked at how Democrats are “weaponizing” Walz, boosting his background as a hunter and gun owner whose opinion has responsibly changed to embrace gun control measures.
The Media Matters article even says “right wing media” has called the Minnesota governor a “radical” because of his “current stance on gun control.” The article praises Walz as “a longtime gun owner” who reiterated “his commitment to both the Second Amendment and ‘common-sense solutions to end gun violence’ during his first speech after joining the ticket.”
Some of the harshest criticism for Walz is coming from Fox News, which has multiple stories about the embattled governor almost daily, and has reported on his background actions during the 2020 Minneapolis riots.
Walz will no doubt be under a media microscope from now through Nov. 5, and beyond if the Harris-Walz ticket wins the election.
