Beware, Trump: Walz Demonstrates He's More Than Just "Minnesota Nice"
Coach Tim Walz presents his arguments to the nation.
TroibNews 
**CHICAGO — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz aims to be America’s coach.**
In his primetime convention speech Wednesday, Democrats introduced Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick as the straightforward coach, a Midwestern neighbor, and “the guy who will dig you out of a snowbank,” as one former student described him. This narrative, uncommon in today’s Democratic Party, is one the Harris campaign believes will help them gain traction with male voters and narrow the historically large gender gap.
Known for calling Republicans “weird,” Walz fully embraced his role as Harris’ chief attack dog—a traditional role for a running mate—refining the Harris campaign’s “freedom” messaging with a Midwestern touch. He showed no signs that “Minnesota-nice” would hinder his efforts.
“In Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make, and even if we wouldn’t make those same choices for ourselves, we’ve got a golden rule: Mind your own damn business,” Walz remarked, addressing GOP attempts to restrict abortion rights. “Some folks just don’t understand what it takes to be a good neighbor.”
Much of Walz’s 17-minute address, rich with football metaphors, traced his journey from small-town Nebraska to social studies teacher in Minnesota, then on to becoming a National Guardsman, congressman, and governor.
Walz, who surged into the spotlight as a running mate within two weeks, acknowledged he hasn’t “given a lot of big speeches like this.” At times, this was reflected in him stepping over his own applause lines while continuing with his speech. Instead, he leaned into his coach persona.
“I have given a lot of pep talks,” he stated.
To many voters, Walz remains relatively unknown, making the biographical elements particularly significant in his address, according to campaign aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity. His background is unexpected for a Democratic figure today: He grew up in a rural Nebraska area with a graduating class of just 24 students, spent over two decades teaching social studies before entering politics, and is a former football coach and Army National Guardsman. Notably, he’s the first Democrat since Jimmy Carter to join the party’s ticket without a law degree.
Party members have rallied behind him. As he took the stage Wednesday night, delegates brandished signs reading “Coach Walz” and held cutouts of his face, visibly moving Walz.
Walz, characterized as “the dad in plaid” by fellow Minnesotan Sen. Amy Klobuchar during her introduction, projects a different version of masculinity compared to that showcased by Republicans earlier this month, where wrestling star Hulk Hogan famously ripped off his shirt.
Prior to Walz speaking, former players from Mankato West High School, where he coached, stepped onto the stage in their red and white jerseys as their fight song played in the background. An introductory video featured a photo montage of Walz coaching in the 1990s, alongside clips highlighting his role as the faculty advisor for his school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. His support for the GSA, Walz remarked in a voiceover, illustrated a more nuanced form of masculinity being embraced by Democrats.
“They saw in me what I had hoped to instill in them, a commitment to the common good,” Walz reflected on his students. “The belief that a single person can make a real difference for their neighbors.”
Walz articulated reproductive health as not merely a women’s issue, sharing his family’s experiences with infertility. As he spoke, cameras captured his son, Gus, tearing up and mouthing, “That’s my dad.”
He emphasized parts of his biography that diverge from the typical Democratic narrative. While noting his status as a veteran, a hunter, and “a better shot than most Republicans in Congress” with “the trophies to prove it,” he also mentioned, “I’m also a dad,” referencing his loss of the “A” rating from the National Rifle Association following the Parkland High School shooting in Florida.
“I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe,” Walz said.
Party leaders believe these characteristics play to their advantage, presenting a woman-led Democratic ticket as more relatable and down-to-earth, potentially appealing to men drawn to Trump’s assertive image.
Harris “chose the person she thought was right, and he happened to be a guy that stood in 10 degree weather in a deer stand,” Klobuchar said ahead of the speech. “I don’t think that's the only way you bring in men, by any means, but I think she made, sort of, an independent, strong choice on her own.”
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who represents a rural, red state, advised Harris to “send Tim Walz everywhere.”
Nevertheless, it’s uncertain whether the branding of Harris’ running mate will effectively address the gender gap. Although women have traditionally leaned towards Democratic candidates and men towards Republicans, the current divide is wider than in 2016 and 2020. A July New York Times/Siena College poll indicated Harris leading Trump by 14 points among likely female voters (55% to 41%), while Trump held a 17-point advantage among men (56% to 39%), resulting in a net 31-point gender gap.
However, there is optimism within the Democratic Party that the gender imbalance may be specific to President Joe Biden, whom voters view as older and potentially incapable of serving another four years, aligning with the GOP’s portrayal of the election as “strength versus weakness.” Democrats believe the Harris-Walz ticket could reset the race's dynamics.
“People across the country are learning what I know — that he’s a dad, and a teacher, and a coach and a veteran,” Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan remarked.
“He literally bought Doritos for the vice president,” Flanagan added, referencing a viral moment of Walz purchasing snacks for Harris at a Sheetz gas station in Pennsylvania. “He always brings me snacks to meetings; like, that is his whole vibe.”
While the campaign harnesses Walz’s affable, fatherly image, he didn’t shy away from critiquing the Republican ticket.
Walz lambasted Republicans for backing “Project 2025,” asserting that he “coached football long enough to know — and trust me on this — when someone takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’re going to use it.”
He humorously pointed out that no one from his small-town high school class attended Yale—a jab at Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, a Yale Law grad—and described the Republican platform as “an agenda that nobody asked for.”
Ultimately, he concluded the evening with familiar notes, delivering what felt more like a halftime pep talk than a political address.
“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,” Walz declared, eliciting cheers from the crowd. “And boy, do we have the right team.”
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
In his primetime convention speech Wednesday, Democrats introduced Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick as the straightforward coach, a Midwestern neighbor, and “the guy who will dig you out of a snowbank,” as one former student described him. This narrative, uncommon in today’s Democratic Party, is one the Harris campaign believes will help them gain traction with male voters and narrow the historically large gender gap.
Known for calling Republicans “weird,” Walz fully embraced his role as Harris’ chief attack dog—a traditional role for a running mate—refining the Harris campaign’s “freedom” messaging with a Midwestern touch. He showed no signs that “Minnesota-nice” would hinder his efforts.
“In Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make, and even if we wouldn’t make those same choices for ourselves, we’ve got a golden rule: Mind your own damn business,” Walz remarked, addressing GOP attempts to restrict abortion rights. “Some folks just don’t understand what it takes to be a good neighbor.”
Much of Walz’s 17-minute address, rich with football metaphors, traced his journey from small-town Nebraska to social studies teacher in Minnesota, then on to becoming a National Guardsman, congressman, and governor.
Walz, who surged into the spotlight as a running mate within two weeks, acknowledged he hasn’t “given a lot of big speeches like this.” At times, this was reflected in him stepping over his own applause lines while continuing with his speech. Instead, he leaned into his coach persona.
“I have given a lot of pep talks,” he stated.
To many voters, Walz remains relatively unknown, making the biographical elements particularly significant in his address, according to campaign aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity. His background is unexpected for a Democratic figure today: He grew up in a rural Nebraska area with a graduating class of just 24 students, spent over two decades teaching social studies before entering politics, and is a former football coach and Army National Guardsman. Notably, he’s the first Democrat since Jimmy Carter to join the party’s ticket without a law degree.
Party members have rallied behind him. As he took the stage Wednesday night, delegates brandished signs reading “Coach Walz” and held cutouts of his face, visibly moving Walz.
Walz, characterized as “the dad in plaid” by fellow Minnesotan Sen. Amy Klobuchar during her introduction, projects a different version of masculinity compared to that showcased by Republicans earlier this month, where wrestling star Hulk Hogan famously ripped off his shirt.
Prior to Walz speaking, former players from Mankato West High School, where he coached, stepped onto the stage in their red and white jerseys as their fight song played in the background. An introductory video featured a photo montage of Walz coaching in the 1990s, alongside clips highlighting his role as the faculty advisor for his school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. His support for the GSA, Walz remarked in a voiceover, illustrated a more nuanced form of masculinity being embraced by Democrats.
“They saw in me what I had hoped to instill in them, a commitment to the common good,” Walz reflected on his students. “The belief that a single person can make a real difference for their neighbors.”
Walz articulated reproductive health as not merely a women’s issue, sharing his family’s experiences with infertility. As he spoke, cameras captured his son, Gus, tearing up and mouthing, “That’s my dad.”
He emphasized parts of his biography that diverge from the typical Democratic narrative. While noting his status as a veteran, a hunter, and “a better shot than most Republicans in Congress” with “the trophies to prove it,” he also mentioned, “I’m also a dad,” referencing his loss of the “A” rating from the National Rifle Association following the Parkland High School shooting in Florida.
“I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe,” Walz said.
Party leaders believe these characteristics play to their advantage, presenting a woman-led Democratic ticket as more relatable and down-to-earth, potentially appealing to men drawn to Trump’s assertive image.
Harris “chose the person she thought was right, and he happened to be a guy that stood in 10 degree weather in a deer stand,” Klobuchar said ahead of the speech. “I don’t think that's the only way you bring in men, by any means, but I think she made, sort of, an independent, strong choice on her own.”
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who represents a rural, red state, advised Harris to “send Tim Walz everywhere.”
Nevertheless, it’s uncertain whether the branding of Harris’ running mate will effectively address the gender gap. Although women have traditionally leaned towards Democratic candidates and men towards Republicans, the current divide is wider than in 2016 and 2020. A July New York Times/Siena College poll indicated Harris leading Trump by 14 points among likely female voters (55% to 41%), while Trump held a 17-point advantage among men (56% to 39%), resulting in a net 31-point gender gap.
However, there is optimism within the Democratic Party that the gender imbalance may be specific to President Joe Biden, whom voters view as older and potentially incapable of serving another four years, aligning with the GOP’s portrayal of the election as “strength versus weakness.” Democrats believe the Harris-Walz ticket could reset the race's dynamics.
“People across the country are learning what I know — that he’s a dad, and a teacher, and a coach and a veteran,” Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan remarked.
“He literally bought Doritos for the vice president,” Flanagan added, referencing a viral moment of Walz purchasing snacks for Harris at a Sheetz gas station in Pennsylvania. “He always brings me snacks to meetings; like, that is his whole vibe.”
While the campaign harnesses Walz’s affable, fatherly image, he didn’t shy away from critiquing the Republican ticket.
Walz lambasted Republicans for backing “Project 2025,” asserting that he “coached football long enough to know — and trust me on this — when someone takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’re going to use it.”
He humorously pointed out that no one from his small-town high school class attended Yale—a jab at Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, a Yale Law grad—and described the Republican platform as “an agenda that nobody asked for.”
Ultimately, he concluded the evening with familiar notes, delivering what felt more like a halftime pep talk than a political address.
“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,” Walz declared, eliciting cheers from the crowd. “And boy, do we have the right team.”
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
