The six word answer that got Tim Walz the job as VP Kamala Harris' running mate

Kamala Harris' final test in the selection of her running mate included sit-downs with her top three contenders on Sunday to hear what approach they would take as vice president.

Gov. Tim Walz appeared to ace the test as he was able to secure his spot on the ticket with the vice president by vowing he doesn't have higher aspirations and is ready to take a supporting role.

The Minnesota progressive at 60-years-old is just one year older than Harris, but has already served six terms in the House of Representatives and is nearly halfway through his second gubernatorial term.

The answer that most likely secured Walz the job over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly was insisting: 'I'm not angling for anything else.'

'I'm at the end of my career,' Walz said, a person involved in the vetting process told Politico. 'This is not about me. This is about America's working families.'

Walz and Harris appeared alongside each other for the first time as running mates at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Tuesday evening.

The top three VP picks – Walz, Shapiro and Kelly – all went to the vice president's residence at One Observatory Circle in Washington, D.C. over the weekend for their final interviews for the spot.

The lifelong midwesterner former teacher and football coach was selected over a handful of other white, middle-aged men who were in consideration to serve as Harris' No. 2. Along with Shapiro and Kelly, other contenders were Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Gov. Andy Beshear.

Walz served almost two-and-a-half decades in the Army National Guard before entering Congress and then moving into the Minnesota governor's mansion in January 2019.

The father-of-two said during his talk with Harris on Sunday: 'If I have to run through a brick wall, if I have to do the hard things, I'm willing to do it because I'm not angling for anything else.' 

His low ego approach to the vice presidency was music to Harris' ears, according to those helping with the vetting process.

Harris played a low-profile role in Biden's presidency so far and let him drive, and wanted someone with a similar approach.

Additionally, Walz 'was probably the person with no organized group working against him,' one aide for another vice presidential prospect revealed.

'Progressives see him as a trustworthy guy. He has bipartisan cred that moderates respect,' aide told Politico.

Shapiro, who is Jewish, is a staunchly pro-Israel and would anger the pro-Gaza branch of the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, Kelly has faced criticism from labor and union leaders.

Walz also garnered nationwide recognition after he was the first to dub the Republican ticket 'weird,' which prompted a whole news cycle of Democrats using the word to describe Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).