DNC Day 3: Walz accepts Democratic nomination for vice president: ‘It’s the honor of my life’
CHICAGO — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday night, the third day of the Democratic National Convention, accepted his party’s nomination for vice president, calling it “the honor of my life.”
Walz made the case that he’s ready to not only win the 2024 race but help run the country when Biden’s term comes to an end in January.
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“We’re all here tonight for one simple, beautiful reason: We love this country,” Walz said.
His job was to introduce himself to Americans who had never heard of him until Vice President Kamala Harris plucked him from relative obscurity to join her ticket. His goofy, folksy, Midwestern dad aura has endeared him to Democrats and balanced Harris’ coastal background.
During his speech, Walz described his upbringing in Nebraska, as well as teaching and coaching football in Minnesota.
“I haven’t given a lot of speeches like this but I’ve given a lot of pep talks,” he said.
In the intense scrutiny that comes with a presidential campaign, Walz has faced repeated questions about embellishing his background. His wife, Gwen Walz, this week clarified that she did not undergo in vitro fertilization but used other fertility treatments after Republicans pointed to multiple times her husband talked publicly about his family’s reliance on IVF. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, called Tim Walz a liar.
Republicans have also pointed to a 2018 comment in which Walz refers to weapons “that I carried in war” while talking about gun violence. Though he served in the National Guard for 24 years, Walz did not deploy to a war zone.
When Oprah Winfrey addressed the DNC crowd, she scoffed at Vance for the viral “childless cat ladies” remark he made when he argued that Americans should be having more children.
Winfrey said that if a burning house belonged to a “childless cat lady,” neighbors would still help and “try to get that cat out too.”
The famed television host also urged undecided voters to back the Democratic nominee, saying that “decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024.”
“You’re looking at a registered independent who’s proud to vote again and again and again, because that’s what Americans do,” she said. “Voting is the best of America.”
Earlier, Clinton walked out to Coldplay’s “Fix You” and, like other DNC speakers, began his speech by praising President Joe Biden. He compared Biden to George Washington, suggesting that Biden strengthened his legacy by deciding to end his reelection campaign.
“Remember, he had an improbable term that made him president, and we were in the middle of a pandemic and an economic crash. He healed our sick and put the rest of us back to work,” Clinton said. “And then he did something that’s really hard for a politician to do. He voluntarily gave up political power.”
The 42nd president later endorsed Harris and Walz, saying they’ll bring in a “breath of fresh air.”
“We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy, to lead us,” he said.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Sen. Cory Booker, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also spoke. Buttigieg met earlier in the morning with members of Illinois’ delegation.
Music icon Stevie Wonder also appeared onstage to give a brief speech before singing “Higher Ground.” He asked the audience, “Are y’all ready to reach a higher ground? Because you know we need Kamala Harris.”
Grammy-winning R&B singer John Legend performed ‘Let’s go crazy’ from the late megastar and Minnesota native, Prince, ahead of welcoming the vice presidential nominee. Legend, fresh from his performance Tuesday night at the Salt Shed, spoke to members of the Black Caucus earlier Wednesday.
Actress Eva Longoria visited with the Hispanic Caucus at McCormick Place.
Convention organizers dubbed the theme for Wednesday “a fight for our freedoms,” a nod to the concept around which Harris has organized her campaign. She frames her Republican opponent as a threat to abortion rights and personal choices, but also to democracy itself.
Trump, meanwhile, has bashed the convention as a “charade” and noted the fact that he has been a frequent topic of conversation.
Harris is working to stitch together a broad coalition in her bid to defeat Trump this fall. She is drawing on prominent figures such as former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Hollywood stars, officials from across the political spectrum — from the far left to the center — and even some Republicans to strengthen her campaign.
Tuesday’s chapter of the convention featured speeches from Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Additionally, Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic Sen. Tammy gave Illinois a starring role. Also Tuesday, protestors in the West Loop confronted police during a demonstration outside the Israeli Consulate.
Thursday is the final day of the convention. Harris will accept the nomination for president.
The Nexstar Media Wire & the Associated Press contributed.
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