Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president of the U.S. on night three of the DNC, delivering his biggest public speech yet.
Throughout the night, viewers heard from numerous political surrogates, including performances from Stevie Wonder and John Legend.
Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance, urging independent and undecided voters to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.
“You are looking at a registered independent who is proud to vote because I am an American and that’s what Americans do,” Winfrey said. “I have always voted my values, and that is what is leading in this election now more than ever. I’m calling on all you independents and all you undecideds. Values and character matter most in leadership and in life.”
Aside from the celebrities in attendance, delegates heard from political favorites including Bill Clinton. He said the presidential election is the greatest job interview in the world, and Harris is the “clear choice.”
“Kamala Harris will work to solve all of our problems, seize our opportunities, ease our fears and make sure every single American, however they vote, has a chance to chase their dreams,” Clinton said.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also took a turn speaking to the crowd. Buttigieg said politics affects every family, from LGBTQ+ to low income households, and it is up to the voters to decide how politics affects them. He also said that Harris and Walz represent a more noble form of democracy.
“This November, we get to choose our president, we get to choose our policies but, most of all, we will choose a better politics,” Buttigieg said. “A politics that calls us to our better selves and offers us a better every day. That is what Kamala Harris and Tim Walz represent.”
The night ended with Walz’s introduction by his former student, athlete and neighbor, Benjamin Ingman. Ingman explained how Walz coached seventh grade track and field to make extra income so that he and his wife could help provide food to a child who could not afford it. Later, other former players Walz coached joined Ingman onstage wearing their uniforms.
Walz accepted the nomination as the final speaker of the night. He said that as president, Kamala will cut taxes for the middle class, cap prices for prescription drugs, help provide affordable mortgages and advocate for reproductive rights.
Walz also spoke to Republican viewers, who he is used to negotiating with in his home state, about his stance on gun laws.
“Look, I know guns. I’m a veteran. I’m a hunter. I was a better shot than most Republicans in Congress, and I’ve got the trophies to prove it,” Walz said. “But I’m also a dad. I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe.”
At the end of his remarks, Walz said he knows he hasn’t given many large speeches, but he has given many pep talks. He addressed to the audience as his team, saying:
“Let me finish with this, team. 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. Kamala Harris is tough. Kamala Harris is experienced. And Kamala Harris is ready.”
