WASHINGTON: Presented as a regular guy, a workaday dad, a teacher and a coach from the time he came into national limelight, Minnesota governor Tim Walz accepted the Democratic vice-presidential nomination on Wednesday at the party convention with an address highlighted by a memorable teachable moment.
Walz was speaking about reproductive rights being infringed on by Republicans and the difficulties infertile couples face when attention turned to his family as he expressed love for his wife Gwen, and children Hope and Gus, both born through fertility treatments.At this point, Gus, a neurodivergent teen with a nonverbal learning disorder and ADHD, jumped up to emotionally shout “That’s my dad,” while his daughter signaled a heart shape.
It was a rare and unfiltered moment of love in a public arena — where politicians typically stage togetherness — that sent the gathering into raptures, and occasioned thousands of laudatory comments and commentaries for hours after. It also underlined a fundamental difference with Republicans, who despite their emphasis on raising families, want intrusive oversight and control of women’s reproductive freedom and gender rights, whereas Democrats want choice in the matter.
“Mind your own business…and the government stays the hell out of your bedroom,” Walz raged, reprising a sentiment he has often expressed on one of the major campaign issues in this election. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was among those who spoke for LGBTQ rights, saying, “I got a message for the Republicans and the justices at the United States Supreme Court: You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand. And I’m retaining a lot of water, so good luck with that.”
In fact, freedom on many fronts has been a recurring theme at the convention, underscored by frequent playing of Beyonce’s eponymous song that has become an anthem for Democrats this week. In an unschedule appearance, talk show host Oprah Winfrey seized on the theme, saying “Freedom isn’t free… every now and then it requires standing up to life’s bullies.”
“Let us choose the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return to yesterday…We are beyond ridiculous tweets and lies and foolery,” the billionaire entertainer said in a transparent jab at Trump, as she talked of how Harris’ immigrant roots has instilled in her a passion for justice and freedom. “Let’s choose common sense over nonsense,” she urged in remarks aimed at independents who will determine the outcome of the elections.
Harris also won endorsement from Bill Clinton, who too took a swipe at Trump and his erratic ways saying, “Two days ago, I turned 78…and the only personal vanity I want to assert is that I’m still younger than Donald Trump.” Also talking Harris up was former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, widely credited with easing out Joe Biden from the race, who said the Democratic nominee “is ready to take us to new heights.”
Highlighting the steady drip of defections to the Democratic Party, former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan told the convention, “These days, our party acts more like a cult — a cult worshiping a felonous thug. … Let me be clear to my Republican friends at home: If you vote for Kamala Harris in 2024, you’re not a Democrat; you’re a patriot.”
The four day party gala concludes on Thursday with Harris’ acceptance remarks, now seen as the most important speech of her life so far. Thursday is also her tenth marriage anniversary. While she is far from an impressive orator — and pales in comparison to Obama and Clinton — Democrat strategists are hoping that she “nails the landing” after three days of raucous, unanimous support unimaginable from the time party operatives were unsure if she should even be a veep nominee, let alone aim for the Oval Office.
Harris has been closeted with aides preparing and rehearsing her speech, which is expected to dwell on her life story, including her middle class upbringing and her career as a prosecutor — a far cry from the privileged life her elite east coast opponent has had. One of the biggest challenges she faces is how to counter the MAGA Republican question of why she has not done as vice-president all that she is promising to do now.
Walz was speaking about reproductive rights being infringed on by Republicans and the difficulties infertile couples face when attention turned to his family as he expressed love for his wife Gwen, and children Hope and Gus, both born through fertility treatments.At this point, Gus, a neurodivergent teen with a nonverbal learning disorder and ADHD, jumped up to emotionally shout “That’s my dad,” while his daughter signaled a heart shape.
It was a rare and unfiltered moment of love in a public arena — where politicians typically stage togetherness — that sent the gathering into raptures, and occasioned thousands of laudatory comments and commentaries for hours after. It also underlined a fundamental difference with Republicans, who despite their emphasis on raising families, want intrusive oversight and control of women’s reproductive freedom and gender rights, whereas Democrats want choice in the matter.
“Mind your own business…and the government stays the hell out of your bedroom,” Walz raged, reprising a sentiment he has often expressed on one of the major campaign issues in this election. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was among those who spoke for LGBTQ rights, saying, “I got a message for the Republicans and the justices at the United States Supreme Court: You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand. And I’m retaining a lot of water, so good luck with that.”
In fact, freedom on many fronts has been a recurring theme at the convention, underscored by frequent playing of Beyonce’s eponymous song that has become an anthem for Democrats this week. In an unschedule appearance, talk show host Oprah Winfrey seized on the theme, saying “Freedom isn’t free… every now and then it requires standing up to life’s bullies.”
“Let us choose the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return to yesterday…We are beyond ridiculous tweets and lies and foolery,” the billionaire entertainer said in a transparent jab at Trump, as she talked of how Harris’ immigrant roots has instilled in her a passion for justice and freedom. “Let’s choose common sense over nonsense,” she urged in remarks aimed at independents who will determine the outcome of the elections.
Harris also won endorsement from Bill Clinton, who too took a swipe at Trump and his erratic ways saying, “Two days ago, I turned 78…and the only personal vanity I want to assert is that I’m still younger than Donald Trump.” Also talking Harris up was former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, widely credited with easing out Joe Biden from the race, who said the Democratic nominee “is ready to take us to new heights.”
Highlighting the steady drip of defections to the Democratic Party, former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan told the convention, “These days, our party acts more like a cult — a cult worshiping a felonous thug. … Let me be clear to my Republican friends at home: If you vote for Kamala Harris in 2024, you’re not a Democrat; you’re a patriot.”
The four day party gala concludes on Thursday with Harris’ acceptance remarks, now seen as the most important speech of her life so far. Thursday is also her tenth marriage anniversary. While she is far from an impressive orator — and pales in comparison to Obama and Clinton — Democrat strategists are hoping that she “nails the landing” after three days of raucous, unanimous support unimaginable from the time party operatives were unsure if she should even be a veep nominee, let alone aim for the Oval Office.
Harris has been closeted with aides preparing and rehearsing her speech, which is expected to dwell on her life story, including her middle class upbringing and her career as a prosecutor — a far cry from the privileged life her elite east coast opponent has had. One of the biggest challenges she faces is how to counter the MAGA Republican question of why she has not done as vice-president all that she is promising to do now.
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