Tim Walz took centre stage on the third night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), formally accepting his nomination as Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential running mate on Wednesday.
“It’s the greatest honour of my life to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States. We’re all here tonight for one powerful reason: We love this country,” Walz told the DNC crowd in Chicago.
In a spirited fifteen-minute speech, Walz recounted his humble beginnings in a small Nebraska town and his journey from working on a family farm to becoming a teacher, which ultimately inspired his political career, according to AFP.
“They saw in me what I hoped to inspire in them: a commitment to the common good, an understanding that we’re all in this together, and the belief that one person can truly make a difference for their neighbours,” he said, as the crowd chanted, “Coach Walz!”
The 60-year-old Minnesota governor didn’t shy away from criticizing Republican nominee Donald Trump, accusing him of fostering division and avoiding accountability. However, Walz’s primary focus was on endorsing Harris and rallying support for her.
“From her days as a prosecutor, district attorney, attorney general, and U.S. senator, to serving as our vice president, she’s fought for the American people,” he said. “She’s taken on predators and fraudsters, dismantled transnational gangs… She’s never hesitated to reach across the aisle if it meant improving your lives, and she’s done it with energy, passion, and joy.”
Minnesota’s first lady, Gwen Walz, introduced the former National Guard soldier, who received a thunderous welcome as he took the stage for what was the most significant speech of his political career, setting the stage for Harris’s keynote address on Thursday.
In a memorable moment that brought the audience to its feet, former students of Walz—who once coached football—marched onstage to introduce him, following a musical performance by Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend.
Walz’s primary task was to set the tone for Harris’s speech and the conclusion of a convention that, despite predictions of disunity following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the reelection race on July 21, has remained unified.
“No matter who you are, Kamala Harris will stand up and fight for your freedom to live the life you choose, because that’s what we want for ourselves and for our neighbors,” he said.
Walz has earned a reputation as a skilled communicator and is credited with coining one of the sharpest criticisms of Trump and his running mate JD Vance, whom he labelled “weird.”
The strong chemistry between Harris, 59, and Walz, along with the enthusiasm at their rallies, is boosting Democratic hopes of defeating Trump, 78, in November.
Polls indicate the race remains tight, but Harris is slightly ahead, a notable shift given that just a month ago, Trump appeared to be gaining a firmer grip on the contest.
On the convention floor, delegates praised Walz’s keynote speech.
“I thought his speech was perfect,” said New York delegate Edwina Martin, 60, to AFP. “I’ve heard him say similar things at rallies, but tonight, in this setting, it was incredibly powerful, meaningful, and inspiring.”
Before Walz energized the arena, the crowd heard from former President Bill Clinton.
“In 2024, we face a clear choice: ‘We The People’ versus ‘Me, Myself, and I,’” Clinton remarked.