Coach Walz gives rousing pep talk to the Democrats

Minnesota governor and ex-teacher accepts VP nomination with a call to build an America where workers come first’

- ALEX WOODWARD

Tim Walz gave the biggest speech on the biggest stage of his career as he accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for vice-president in front of a roaring crowd in Chicago.

In keynote remarks at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, the Minnesota governor leaned on his experience as a public high school teacher and football coach to outline a vision for an America defined by care for neighbours and a kind of “freedom” he put in stark contrast to Donald Trump’s agenda.

“It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal, but we’re on offence and we’ve got the ball,” Walz said in his closing statements. “And boy, do we have the right team.” Vicepresident Kamala Harris and her running mate want to “build a country where workers come first, healthcare and housing are human rights, and the government stays the hell out of your bedroom”, Walz said.

“That’s how we make America a place where no child is left hungry, where no community is left behind, where no one is told they don’t belong,” he said. His remarks served as another introduction to a candidate that many voters are still beginning to learn about after he made his debut on the campaign trail just two weeks ago.

Walz – a former member of Congress whose students encouraged him to run for office in 2006 – coached football, basketball and track and taught geography at the same school where his wife Gwen Walz taught English. He was brought on the stage by one of his former students and next-door neighbours, Ben Ingman, and former members of Mankato West High School’s football team.