I disagree that Harris "caved" to progressives. I think that she went with her gut which is that Walz is wonderfully articulate and relatable VEEP candidate who in a very short time showed that he can take-it to Trump without coming off as nasty. He reeks of good-guy midwestern which should go over well with older, white union households which was Biden's strength. Though it opens the door for Republican attacks that the Dem ticket is 'too progressive' it closes the door on Republican divide and conquer attacks that would have pitted Shapiro's moderate/conservative positions in contrast with those of Harris. It takes the campus Gaza free speech protest issue off the agenda (though Republicans could see this as an opening with Jewish voters). Additionally, Harris could keep the door open with Shapiro himself by hinting at a possible cabinet position, engaging his energy and charisma for the campaign. I would argue that Walz helps the most with Michigan. The large Muslim population there can now be enticed to engage with the Democrats. He helps in Michigan with union households. My own personal reservation with Shapiro is his rhetorical style, it is too derivative, Obamaesque (cultural appropriation?) and makes him seems inauthentic. Walz's rhetorical style is authentic, what you see is what you get, he's 'comfortable in his own skin'. Last, but hardly least, the Walz pick engages the base. We've been beleaguered by Biden fatigue plus debate meltdown for more than a year, now, going into the convention we are thrilled and ready to rock ! That's nothing to sniff at !