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Tim Walz was formally nominated as the Democratic candidate for vice-president at the party’s convention in Chicago on Wednesday night – where delegates also delighted in a surprise speech about freedom from Oprah Winfrey.
Minnesota Democrats were the last to leave the United Center after their state governor worked the room with a folksy “pep talk” inspired by his love of American football. His proud son Gus could also be seen giving a tearful reaction.
The night also played host to Democratic grandees such as former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as rising party stars including Josh Shapiro, the governor of the key swing state of Pennsylvania.
In case you missed the convention’s third night, here are some of the highlights.
‘Coach Walz’ leans into folksy style
Governor Walz gave a brief speech to formally accept the nomination as his party’s vice-presidential candidate – and tapped into his favourite sport.
“I haven’t given a lot of big speeches like this, but I have given a lot of pep talks,” he told a cheering crowd.
The former high-school American football coach went on to use pitchside metaphors to try to stir the passions of Democrats and moderates alike.
He portrayed his side as the underdogs in the presidential match: “It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal, but we’re on offense and we’ve got the ball. We’re driving down the field, and boy do we have the right team.”
- ‘Coach Walz’ makes personal pitch in DNC speech
Members of Mr Walz’s old team brought the metaphor to life by donning their old jerseys and rushing to join him on stage, as the horns and drums of a marching band played in the background.
Mr Walz’s remarks were a folksy pitch to middle America. He also spoke about his experience as a teacher, his lifelong love of hunting and his family’s fertility struggles.
He relied on phrases that have become hits with Democratic devotees. One of them – “when we fight, we win” – was chanted by the room like a sports crowd.
‘That’s my dad’: Gus Walz tears up
Wednesday night was another family affair at the DNC – with scenes reminiscent of an appearance by Donald Trump and JD Vance with their wives and relatives at the equivalent Republican gathering last month.
Mr Walz described his wife Gwen and children Hope and Gus as his “entire world” – a remark that got Gus on his feet, shouting through tears: “That’s my dad.”
Ahead of the convention, Mr and Mrs Walz spoke to People magazine about their “brilliant” 17-year-old son, saying he had a a learning disorder, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and an anxiety disorder – saying these conditions gave him a “super power”.
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Ms Harris’s family also had a prominent role. Tony West, her brother-in-law, spoke about how they met in law school, and how Ms Harris had gone on to fight for her family – saying this she would do this for voters if they elected her president.
It was a message echoed by Harris’s niece and two nephews – Alexander Hudlin, Jasper Empoff and Arden Emhoff, who appears on stage to say “auntie” would be a president for “all of us”.
Hudlin said Ms Harris calmed his fears as a nine-year-old when Trump won the presidency in 2016. She told him: “You know what superheroes do? They fight back.”
