‘Coach Walz’ Rallies Democrats With Personal Appeal During DNC

On Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz delivered a powerful 14-minute speech, drawing on his coaching experience to rally Democrats to “do the blocking and tackling” needed for Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat former President Donald Trump in the November election.

Before his speech, about a dozen players from the team Walz coached to a Minnesota state championship decades ago ran on stage, some wearing their old high school jerseys.

As Walz took the stage, delegates waved “Coach Walz” signs, while the crowd chanted, “Coach, coach, coach!”

The governor’s speech, his first major introduction to America after only recently gaining national recognition, focused on his personal journey – highlighting his upbringing, enlistment in the Army National Guard, work as a high school teacher and football coach, and service as both a congressman and governor.

Walz drew from the speech he delivered earlier this month in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania, after being selected as Harris’s running mate, reusing some of the same lines.

“In Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make. And even if we wouldn’t make the same choices ourselves, we’ve got a Golden Rule – mind your own damn business!” he said.

Throughout the convention, personal freedom has become a recurring theme among Democrats, and in addressing it, Walz shared his and his wife’s struggle with infertility and IVF, a deeply personal issue now intertwined with America’s debate over abortion rights.

On stage, the governor emphasized discussing his struggle with having children, noting that this election is about “freedom.”

“When we Democrats talk about freedom, we mean your freedom to have a better life for yourself and the people you love,” he said.

“The freedom to make your own health care decision. And, yeah, your kids’ freedom to go to school without worrying they’ll be shot dead in the halls,” Walz added.

During parts of his speech, his daughter Hope, 23, and his son, Gus, 17, were seen in tears in the front row. At one point, Gus mouthed “That’s my dad!” as the camera focused on him.

Walz also highlighted the Democratic priorities he has implemented as Minnesota governor, including free school lunches, paid family and medical 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,” he said to cheers.

However, he repeatedly returned to the coaching theme, using it to criticize Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) by targeting a frequent Democratic foe – Project 2025, a policy blueprint created by former Trump administration officials. 

“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,” Walz said.

As he concluded, the vice presidential nominee unleashed a flurry of football metaphors, promising a pep talk as the crowd chanted “coach” once more.

“It’s the fourth quarter. We’re down a field goal. But we’re on the offense. We’re driving down the field. And, boy, do we have the right team to win this,” Walz concluded.

Walz followed a diverse lineup of speakers and entertainers on the convention’s third night, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Pennslyvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and a surprise appearance by Oprah Winfrey.

The four-day event will conclude on Thursday evening with Harris formally accepting the Democratic nomination.