Folks wanted a wall. They got Walz.

A proud Progressive. Left of left.

And the Democrats’ least compelling choice for vice president.

If Team Harris was trying, say, to invigorate the millennial and Gen Z vote with Minnesota Gov. Tim Wallz…

Seriously, another old(er) white dude?

When given the chance to take a bold step forward and show the future of the party, Democrats made the safest decision possible.

Governor since 2019, Walz spent 24 years in the National Guard and was a career educator who has cultivated a sweetheart dad vibe.

But…

Courtesy: YouTube
“Walking Minneapolis after riots”

Under his leadership, Minneapolis got torched in 2020 as protests spun out of control.

• “According to a state legislative report, more than 1,500 businesses and buildings burned, including a Minneapolis Police station, with an estimated $500 million in property damage statewide,” The New York Times

Also under his leadership, the Minneapolis Police Department joined Walz’ National Guard comrades in terrorizing citizens.

It’s not a brilliant track record…. to both underreact and overreact during a high-stakes crisis.

“We try to do the best we can,” Walz sighed when asked recently about his response to the riots.

That’s cold comfort for Minnesotans who lost their homes and businesses.

I wonder how they’ll vote come November 5th?

Which brings us to our Friday poll — something we’ll feature weekly until Election Day…

Send your opinions to, feedback@newsyoucanacton.com

Your Rundown for Friday, August 9, 2024...

“Will Biden Finish His Term?”

Minnesota is one of 10 swing states.

According to polling and market research firm Redfield & Wilton Strategies, here’s how things are shaping up in the state (as of August 3rd):

The poll shows Harris has a five percentage point lead over Trump in Minnesota — with 9% still undecided.

Also in the realm of political predictions…

Polymarket has become the go-to digital forum where bettors can place simple yes/no wagers.

Without getting too far into the weeds, Polymarket is a platform to speculate on the potential outcomes of real-world events, leveraging Ethereum’s blockchain.

Under Polymarket’s U.S. elections category, this question caught my eye: “Will Biden finish his term?”

[We feel the need to point out, reader: This question doesn’t specify whether Biden would resign… be impeached… or removed feet-first from the White House.]

Taking the yes side of the bet, the odds currently stand at 81% that Biden will indeed finish his term. On the flip side, only 19% believe Biden won’t finish his term.

The digital “pot” has accrued over $16 million now.

Polymarket itself is a callback to investors Jamie Mai and Charlie Ledley.

Not exactly household names.

But they’re the duo — pseudonymously featured in the book and movie The Big Short — who formed a hedge fund with $110,000 in a brokerage account… and eventually bet $15 million against the housing market.

They walked away with over $120 million after the subprime crash.

Their story serves as a reminder that, sometimes, seemingly outrageous bets pay off spectacularly.

We would never suggest you bet the farm.

But if you have a strong conviction about the election’s outcome — and some extra cash on the side — there’s a platform for that (which, by the way, requires a crypto wallet).

For readers today: Given the current nature of shocking political events, do you believe Joe Biden will complete his term as president? How do you expect he’ll leave the White House?

Market Rundown for Friday, Aug. 9, 2024

S&P 500 futures are down 0.20% to 5,335.

Oil futures are up 0.50% to $76.58 for a barrel of WTI.

Gold futures are slightly up to $2,466.70 per ounce.

And Bitcoin’s up 1.20% to $60,500 at the time of writing.

Send your comments and questions to, feedback@newsyoucanacton.com