Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, widely known as “Coach Walz,” formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for Vice President at the Democratic National Convention last night at the United Center. “Thanks first of all to Vice-President Harris. Thanks for putting your trust in me and for inviting me to be part of this incredible campaign,” Walz began.
In a speech that resonated with his coaching roots, Walz emphasized teamwork and determination, rallying Democrats with a powerful message to “leave it all on the field” as they approach the November election. His speech was filled with football metaphors, underscoring the need for unity in the face of the significant challenges ahead.
Walz’s personal appeal to Middle America was clear as he highlighted his connection to everyday Americans. He spoke about his Minnesota roots and the values that define his approach to governance—hard work, respect, and personal freedom.
He positioned himself as a champion for middle-class priorities, listing accomplishments such as free school lunches, paid family leave, middle-class tax cuts, and lower prescription drug prices. “While other states were banning books from their schools, we were banishing hunger from ours,” Walz declared, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. Watch below:
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Coach Walz also focused on the theme of freedom, a key issue for Democrats this election cycle. He shared his own family’s struggles with fertility, connecting them to broader debates about reproductive rights. “When we Democrats talk about freedom, we mean your freedom to make a better life for yourself and the people you love,” he said, emphasizing the Democratic commitment to personal freedoms, healthcare autonomy, and safe schools for children.
In one of the speech’s more pointed moments, Coach Walz took aim at Project 2025, a policy blueprint aligned with Trump administration veterans, suggesting that Republicans intend to implement it if given the chance. “I coached high school football long enough, I promise you this—when somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’re going to use it,” he said, reinforcing the stakes of the upcoming election.
The moment was made even more poignant when his 17-year-old son, Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, shouted “That’s my dad!” through tears, moving many in the audience. Walz returned the love to Gus, his wife Gwen and his 23-year-old daughter Hope with, “Hope, Gus and Gwen – you are my entire world, and I love you.”
Walz closed his speech with a classic coach’s pep talk, urging Democrats to see the campaign as the final drive in a high-stakes game. “It’s the fourth quarter. We’re down a field goal. But we’re on offense. We’re driving down the field. And, boy, do we have the right team to win this,” he said, leaving the audience with a sense of urgency and determination. His speech, grounded in his Midwestern roots and coaching experience, set the tone for the final phase of the Democratic campaign, aiming to energize voters across the nation.
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