- Alumni took the stage to introduce Walz.
- Democratic vice presidential candidate expresses love for his country.
- Walz spends much of his speech defending Harris.
Tim Walz chose to express his love for his country by appearing before millions of Americans at a star-studded third night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Wednesday, accepting the nomination to be Kamala Harris' running mate in the White House.
“It is the honor of my life to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States. We are all here tonight for one beautiful and simple reason: we love this country,” Walz said at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
In a quick, quarter-hour speech, Walz recounted his middle-class upbringing in a small town in Nebraska, where he worked on the family farm, and described his experience teaching students that inspired him to enter politics.
“They saw in me what I hoped to instill in them: a commitment to the common good, an understanding that we're all in this together and a belief that one person can make a real difference for their neighbors,” he said as the crowd chanted “Coach Walz!”
The 60-year-old Minnesota governor took the gloves off when he lashed out at Republican candidate Donald Trump, accusing him of spending “all day long calling people names and blaming others.”
But Walz devoted much of his speech at Chicago's United Center to defending Harris's rights.
“From her time as a prosecutor, as a district attorney, as an attorney general, as a United States senator and then as our vice president, she has fought on the side of the American people,” she said.
“He has stood up to predators and scammers. He has taken down transnational gangs… He has never hesitated to build bridges if it meant improving your lives, and he has always done so with energy, passion and joy.”
The relatively unknown state official brings a Midwestern everyman air to Harris's growing campaign against Trump, something that was central to her speech.
Introduced by Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz, the former National Guard soldier was given a standing ovation as he took the stage for the biggest speech of his political career, ahead of Harris' big night on Thursday.
In a moment that brought the audience to its feet, alumni took the stage to introduce Walz, a football coach in his teaching days, after a musical interlude by Grammy Award-winning musician John Legend.
Walz’s main job was to prepare for Harris’ speech and the climax of a convention that defied predictions of disunity or even chaos in the wake of President Joe Biden’s decision to drop his reelection bid on July 21.
“No matter who you are, Kamala Harris will stand up and fight for your freedom to live the life you want to live, because that's what we want for ourselves and that's what we want for our neighbors,” she said.
He has earned a reputation as a skilled communicator and is credited with coming up with one of the sharpest attacks on Trump and his running mate JD Vance, whom he called “weird.”
The chemistry between Harris, 59, and Walz and the raucous energy generated at their rallies are fueling Democratic hopes that they can defeat Trump, 78, in November.
Polls show the race remains close, but Harris is pulling away slightly — a remarkable turn of events given that just a month ago Trump appeared to be gaining ever more control of the race.
At the convention, delegates praised Walz's keynote address.
“I thought her speech was perfect,” said New York delegate Edwina Martin, 60. AFP.
“I've heard him say many of the same things at rallies, but tonight, hearing it in this context was incredibly powerful, meaningful and inspiring.”
Before Walz lit up the arena, the crowd heard from former President Bill Clinton.
“In 2024, we have a clear choice: 'We the people' versus 'Me, myself and I,'” Clinton said.
