Date: 2025-06-16 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00027283
US POLITICS
DNC CONVENTION ... TIM WALZ THE VP NOMINEE
AXIOS Politics & Policy ... 'Not going back': Walz formally accepts Democratic VP nomination
DNC CONVENTION ... TIM WALZ THE VP NOMINEE
AXIOS Politics & Policy ... 'Not going back': Walz formally accepts Democratic VP nomination
Tim Walz arrives to speak during the Democratic National Convention at the United Center
in Chicago, Ill. on Aug. 21. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Original article:
Peter Burgess COMMENTARY
Peter Burgess
Written by Erin Doherty
Updated Aug 22, 2024
Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota and Democratic vice-presidential nominee, arrives to speak during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, US, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.
Tim Walz leaned into his rural roots as he accepted the Democratic Party's vice presidential nomination on Wednesday during the most high-profile political speech of his career.
Why it matters: Democrats are hopeful that Walz, a native of Nebraska, will boost Harris' appeal among rural and moderate voters in the crucial 'Blue Wall' states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Walz said during the third night of the Democratic National Convention that he's 'ready to turn the page' on former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance, before inviting the crowd to say 'We're not going back' with him.
Driving the news: Walz leaned heavily into his personal story as a former teacher and football coach as he sought to introduce himself to the nation.
'I had 24 kids in my high school class, and none of them went to Yale,' Walz said early on in his remarks, a subtle dig at Vance, who attended the university.
'Never underestimate a public school teacher,' Walz also said.
The big picture: It was the most high-profile speech of his career as the little-known governor of Minnesota seeks to introduce himself to the nation less than three months until Election Day.
His speech is also the first big test of Harris' decision to select Walz as her running mate after an accelerated, but high-profile VP audition process.
Zoom out: In the just over two weeks since Harris selected Walz, he has maintained stronger favorability ratings than Vance.
The other side: Vance during an appearance on Fox News after Walz's speech on Wednesday night accused the Minnesota governor and other Democratic speakers of setting a 'dark and ominous tone where they attacked Donald Trump, and they attacked the people who voted for him rather than offer a compelling vision for the future.'
Go deeper: Tim Walz's 'aww shucks' force field
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.