Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, made his political debut to American voters a few hours after being selected as Kamala Harris’ running mate, delivering an engaging address at a rally in Philadelphia. Held at Temple University, the event signaled the start of a new era for the Democratic ticket, full of hope and “joy.” The following are the principal points of Walz’s speech:

1. Harris is introduced again

Vice President Kamala Harris grabbed the podium to promote Walz’s rich expertise. Harris had chosen Walz to be her future vice president. Harris highlighted Walz’s involvement in the military, his work as a teacher, and his legislative achievements, which included voting in favor of the Affordable Care Act and establishing abortion rights in Minnesota. She highlighted that “he will be ready on day one” for the position and likened the Walz-Harris ticket to a “varsity team” in contrast to Trump’s “JV squad.”

Walz expressed his appreciation for Harris’s perseverance and hard work in return. He presented her as a champion of the American people, taking on problems ranging from corporate interests to fraud. In response to the Republican criticism of Harris’s manner, Walz emphasized Harris’s upbeat approach to her position, reflecting the Democratic Party’s fresh vigor. “Maybe more than anything, Madam Vice President, thank you for restoring my joy,” he remarked in response to the faith you placed in me.

2. Dedication to Nation and Society

In his incredibly intimate address, Walz traced his political path from his beginnings at West Point, Nebraska, to the present day. He talked about growing up in a tiny village and the morals his parents had taught him, such as kindness and serving the greater good. He talked on his twenty-four-year tenure in the Army National Guard, characterizing it as a source of meaning and dedication to a cause bigger than oneself.

Walz emphasized the three-month countdown to the election and stated that he was ready to serve. Thus, we have ninety-one days. That’s easy, my god,” he said. “When we’re dead, we’ll sleep.” His commitment to the campaign and his readiness to put in endless hours of labor were highlighted by this remark.

3. The Value of Knowledge

His experience as a football coach and social studies instructor was highlighted by both Harris and Walz. Speaking kindly of his family’s commitment to education, Walz mentioned that his father had been a teacher as well as his wife, Gwen, had worked as a public school teacher for 29 years. “Never undervalue educators,” he declared.

Walz narrated how his pupils’ appreciation of his dedication to the greater good encouraged him to pursue politics. “They observed in me what I hoped to inculcate in them—a dedication to the common good. a conviction that one individual can change things,” he stated. Even though he was running in a traditionally Democratically unfriendly district, his optimism and commitment carried him through.

4. Midwestern Values and Folksy Attacks

In his remarks prior to Walz, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted the significance of Walz’s direct criticism of Trump and his running partner, JD Vance. Shapiro gave kudos to Walz for calling Vance a “weirdo” in a “beautiful Midwestern, plain-spoken way.”

In his lecture, Walz didn’t hold back on these subjects. He called Trump a self-serving politician and berated him for his lack of experience in public service. “To begin with, he has no knowledge whatsoever about serving. He is too busy serving himself to have time for it, according to Walz. Additionally, he emphasized the rise in violent crime that occurred under Trump’s administration and contrasted it with the former president’s legal issues.

Walz highlighted Midwestern principles of respecting individual decisions when it came to reproductive rights. If we wouldn’t make the same decision for ourselves, we nonetheless accept our neighbors’ personal choices in Minnesota. “Remember the golden rule: Take care of your own damn business,” he said.

Walz delivered a particularly scathing criticism of Vance. He made a direct reference to a refuted rumor when he said, “I can’t wait to debate the guy, that is if he’s willing to get off the couch and show up.” The audience responded angrily to his joke. In a direct statement, he expressed his opinion, saying, “These guys are creepy and, yes, just weird as hell.”

When Tim Walz first joined Kamala Harris as her running companion, he established the tone for candor, hard work, and hope. During his Temple University speech, he emphasized his educational background, his dedication to public service, and his readiness to address opponents directly and politely. These themes are likely to strike a chord with people looking for a more positive and realistic alternative to the status quo as the campaign moves on.