logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
19m 32s

Profile: Who is Tim Walz?

BBC News
About this episode

Few people had heard of Governor Tim Walz when he was selected by Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States. The former teacher was chosen ahead of fierce competition, including an astronaut, and the governor of a key swing state - but why? Americast finds out how “Coach Walz” made his way onto the ticket.

Americast is profiling the four candidates in the race to become the next President and Vice President of the United States.

HOST: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

GUESTS: • Leah Solo, Tim Walz’s former student and campaign manager • Briana Bierschbach, Politics Reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune

GET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by George Dabby, Purvee Pattni, Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.

You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Up next
Yesterday
Can Trump turn a Gaza ceasefire into a lasting peace deal?
There was an extraordinary moment at the White House on Wednesday when, in front of reporters, secretary of state Marco Rubio handed Donald Trump a note that read the words “very close”, followed by a whisper where he told the president that Israel and Hamas were on the brink of ... Show More
20 m
Oct 8
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Chicago really a ‘war zone’?
Donald Trump’s mission to target Democrat-led cities has expanded to Illinois after the Texan National Guard arrived on Tuesday at an army base near Chicago. Troops were sent with the blessing of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, prompting a furious response from Illinois Governor JB P ... Show More
28m 30s
Oct 6
Why is Trump blowing up Venezuelan "drug boats"?
In today’s episode, we look at some of the stories “under the radar”, away from the main news headlines in the United States. Why is the Trump administration blowing up boats which it says are carrying drugs from Venezuela to the United States? Donald Trump has described the late ... Show More
32m 22s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
Local Electioncast: The Preview
Today, we’re looking ahead to local elections taking place in England on Thursday 1 May.Adam and Chris are joined by friends of the podcast Matt Chorley and Professor Jane Green, Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre at the University of Oxford, to discuss the upcomin ... Show More
32m 31s
Sep 24
452. Question Time: America’s New Martyr and Westminster’s Hidden Spies
Is Charlie Kirk becoming America’s new martyr for the far right? How deep does Chinese spying go in Western politics? And, is Moldova the next target for Russian meddling? The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Fuse are giv ... Show More
50m 30s
Jan 2025
117. Is the UN fit for purpose? (Tom Fletcher)
As the US retreats from the international stage, who is going to fill the gap? What will the ‘peace processes of the future’ look like? Who has more power, the tech giants or political leaders? Rory and Alastair are joined by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs a ... Show More
1h 5m
Sep 2024
Sir Keir Starmer: The Analysis
​​Today, we’re going through the PM’s first major television interview since getting the job. ​​ He defended his decision to cut winter fuel payments for most pensioners, and said his government is "going to have to be unpopular" to deliver change. ​​ ​​Paddy’s also been talking ... Show More
29m 36s
Sep 2024
312. Is America Ready for Gun Reform?
How has Donald Trump tied him self in knots over abortion? Why is there a growing gender divide in politics? Has Kamala Harris reached the end of her honeymoon period? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and more on The Rest Is Politics US. Th ... Show More
59m 17s
Sep 11
448. Question Time: Mandelson’s Epstein Disgrace, Kirk’s Assassination, and Trump’s Illegal Boat Strike
Why did Peter Mandelson become so mesmerised by the rich and famous? What does Charlie Kirk’s assassination mean for the future of American politics? Is Trump trying to start a fake war with Venezuela? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Join The R ... Show More
1h 10m
Sep 2024
311. Question Time: Should Labour ban smoking?
Is Brazil right to suspend X? Why have the press been calling our Deputy PM ‘Angela Raver’? And what is the history of No. 10’s Larry the Cat? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy, a green electricity s ... Show More
44m 21s
Oct 7
456. Antisemitism, How the Tories Lost Britain, and Gaza
Why is antisemitism on the rise in the UK? Can Trump’s Gaza plan ever provide a just and lasting peace? Why does Rory think the Conservative Party is on a doomed path? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your F ... Show More
55m 17s
Sep 2024
Who is Robert Jenrick - and is he going to become Tory leader?
The first round of the Conservative leadership race has seen Priti Patel leave the race, and Robert Jenrick take poll position. Could he be the Conservatives next leader? And what kind of Tory is he? We talk to Tory watcher and author Ben Riley Smith from the Telegraph. Later, is ... Show More
36m 20s
Apr 2025
My Other SCIF Is A Signal Chat (feat. Adam Klasfeld)
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025Today, Pete Hegseth participated in another Signal chat from his private phone and sent war plans to his wife and brother; the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that a transgender teen can’t change their name until they turn 21; someone allegedly stole Kris ... Show More
1h 2m