Minnesota music and politics were showcased at the Democratic National Convention’s (DNC) third day on Wed., Aug. 21, in honor of Gov. Tim Walz’s vice presidential nomination.
Newly christened “Coach Walz” by the Democratic faithful, the two-term Minnesota governor lived up to the title with a succinct and spirited address that drew a rousing reaction at the United Center in Chicago.
Like President Joe Biden’s speech on Monday, Walz’s keynote address was delayed from its prime-time slot due to the program running long. But Walz and the introduction to his speech brought more than enough energy to keep attendees and viewers engaged.
Before his speech, John Legend and Sheila E. performed a rousing version of “Let’s Go Crazy” by Minnesota’s favorite son Prince. Sen. Amy Klobuchar praised Walz, and members of the Mankato West state champion football team that Walz once coached lined the DNC stage to the audience’s delight.
Walz hit the stage as John Mellencamp’s “Little Pink Houses” played, and an enthusiastic crowd waved “Coach Walz” signs. His roughly 15-minute speech offered highlights of his bio, which includes 24 years in the Army National Guard, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major, and serving as a schoolteacher, football coach, and congressman in a Republican district before being elected governor.
Gov. Walz touted some of the measures he signed into law as governor, including free school breakfast and lunch program. “While other states were banning books from their schools, we were banishing hunger from ours,” Walz said.
He then pivoted to making the case for Vice President Kamala Harris and what a Harris-Walz administration would offer voters, stating, “Folks, we’ve got a chance to make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States. But I think we owe it to the American people to tell them exactly what she’d do as president before we ask them for their votes.
“If you’re a middle-class family or trying to get into the middle class, Kamala Harris is going to cut your taxes,” Walz said. “If you’re getting squeezed by prescription drug prices, Kamala Harris is going to take on Big Pharma. If you’re hoping to buy a home, Kamala Harris is going to help make it more affordable.
“And no matter who you are, Kamala Harris is going to stand up and fight for your freedom to live the life that you want to lead because that’s what we want for ourselves, and it’s what we want for our neighbors.
“We also protected reproductive freedom,” Walz continued. “Because in Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make. And even if we wouldn’t make those same choices for ourselves, we have a golden rule: Mind your own damn business!”’
Walz also shared details about the challenges he and his wife, Gwen, faced while trying to start a family and their reliance on fertility treatments. During Walz’s speech, the camera often cut to daughter Hope and son Gus, who sat in the audience teary-eyed. At one point, Gus proudly stated, “That’s my dad!”
Walz then leaned into the campaign’s theme of freedom, drawing a contrast to what used to be a GOP talking point: “When the Republicans use the word freedom, they mean the government should be free to invade your doctor’s office. Corporations are free to pollute your air and water. And banks free to take advantage of customers.”
He continued, “But when we Democrats talk about freedom, we mean the freedom to make a better life for yourself and the people you love. Freedom to make your own health care decisions. And yeah, your kids’ freedom to go to school without worrying about being shot dead in the hall.”
At the end of his speech, Walz was joined by his family as Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” blazed in the background. Young reportedly approved of the campaign’s use of the classic rock anthem, though he once sued the Trump campaign for using it without permission.
Following his speech, while attendees streamed out of the arena, the Minnesota delegation continued to party on the floor like it was 1999, chanting “Walz!” and other cheers.
Democrats reach out to expand the big tent
Many of the night’s speeches included references to freedom, God, border security, and what it means to be a patriot, which seemed in keeping with Democratic big-tent outreach to Independents and disaffected Republicans.
Earlier in the night, Olivia Troye, a former homeland security and counterterrorism advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence, spoke, as did Oprah Winfrey, a self-identified Independent who gave a speech that touched on national unity.
Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who faced the ire of Trump and other MAGA followers when he, along with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, certified the 2020 election results in Georgia, made a direct appeal to Independents and Republicans.
“I can spend my time revving up this crowd, but I’m certain I don’t have to talk anybody out of voting for Donald Trump here,” Duncan told the crowd. “So, I’m going to focus my attention on the millions of Republicans and Independents at home that are sick and tired of making excuses for Donald Trump.”
Duncan noted that his party is currently acting like a “cult,” worshipping a “felonious thug” and said the only thing the GOP can do to save itself is to “dump Trump.”
Duncan said that voting for Harris doesn’t mean you’re a Democrat—it means “you’re a patriot.”
Other highlights of the day included speeches by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, spoken word by Amanda Gorman, a song by Stevie Wonder, and an emotional appeal from Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage by Israel by militants while he attended a music festival.
Vice President Harris will close the convention on Thursday night as she officially accepts the Democratic presidential nomination and lays out her vision and priorities if elected in November. Others set to take the stage include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, and pop singer Pink.