Soon after Kamala Harris announced Tim Walz as her vice presidential pick, political commentators, internet personalities, and media outlets were quick to rebrand the Minnesota governor with a new title: America’s Dad. And in a recent TikTok video posted on August 27, the VP candidate’s “big dad energy” was on full display. “My take is the most neglected part of home ownership is the gutters,” he said. “It’s personal for me.”
Walz was a recent guest on Subway Takes, a TikTok series hosted by Kareem Rahma in which New York City train riders share their hot takes in quick one-to-two-minute interviews. Past guests have offered opinions on everything from Taylor Swift’s songwriting prowess to canceling bachelorette parties. While Walz and Rahma weren’t in the transit system, the politician used the opportunity to talk about gutters—a topic he’s apparently very passionate about.
“I’ve had problems with gutters before,” he said. “You get your basement wet, you get ice dams, it causes a lot of problems.” But, the governor didn’t just complain about the issues, he also offered a sensible solution: gutter helmets, or gutter guards, as they’re sometimes called. “It covers it and lets the water go through,” he explained. “It keeps the water out of your house.”
To him, well-tended gutters offer insights about a homeowner, and the candidate admitted to checking out the feature frequently. “I look quite often; I try not to be judgmental,” he said. “But when I see a well-tended gutter, it says a lot about a person.” In fact, he said well-cared-for gutters are more important than well-cared-for lawns. “I think gutters are a big thing; they really matter,” he added.
Many viewers were enamored with Walz’s dedication to the the subject. “He was dead serious, too. He seems thrilled that someone is letting him rant about gutters,” one person commented. Another shared that it was “the most dad coded thing I’ve ever seen.” Even post-interview, the governor was still advocating for gutters’ proper care. “Gutter helmets. Trust me on this one,” he commented.