Oprah, ‘cat girls’ and other key takeaways from the DNC’s third night

Tim Walz was officially nominated as the Democratic vice presidential nominee at the party’s convention in Chicago on Wednesday night – where delegates were also delighted by a surprise speech on freedom from Oprah Winfrey.

Minnesota Democrats were the last to leave the United Center after their state’s governor took the stage with a folksy “move-on” inspired by his love of American football. His proud son, Gus, could also be seen tearfully reacting.

The evening was also attended by prominent Democratic figures such as former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as rising party stars such as Josh Shapiro, governor of the key state of Pennsylvania.

In case you missed the third night of the conference, here are some highlights.

Governor Walz gave a short speech to formally accept his party’s vice presidential nomination – and mentioned his favorite sport.

“I haven’t given many big speeches like this, but I’ve given many motivational speeches,” he told the cheering crowd.

The former high school football coach used a sideline metaphor to try to stir up enthusiasm among both Democrats and moderates.

He described his team as underdogs in the presidential game: “It’s the fourth quarter, we’re missing a field goal, but we’re attacking and we have the ball. We’re going down the field, and we have a perfect formation.”

Members of Mr. Walz’s former team reenacted the metaphor by donning their old jerseys and running onto the stage with him, while the trumpets and drums of a marching band blared in the background.

Mr. Walz’s speech was a folksy pitch to middle-class America. He also spoke about his experience as a teacher, his lifelong love of hunting and his family’s fertility struggles.

He relied on lines that have become hits with devout Democrats. One of them — “when we fight, we win” — was chanted like a sports crowd.

Wednesday night was another family affair at the DNC — with scenes reminiscent of the appearance of Donald Trump and JD Vance with their wives and relatives at the equivalent Republican gathering last month.

Mr Walz described his wife Gwen and two children, Hope and Gus, as his “whole world” – a comment that prompted Gus to stand up and cry out in tears: “That’s my dad”.

Before the conference, Mr. and Mrs. Walz spoke to People magazine about their “brilliant” 17-year-old son, saying he has a learning disability, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and anxiety disorder — and that these conditions have given him a “superpower.”

Harris’s family also played a prominent role. Her brother-in-law, Tony West, spoke about how they met in law school, and how Harris continues to fight for her family — saying she would do the same for voters if they elected her president.

It was also a message echoed by Harris’ niece and two nephews — Alexander Hudlin, Jasper Empoff and Arden Emhoff — who appeared on stage to say that “auntie” would be president for “all of us.”

Hudlin said Ms Harris eased his fears when he was 9 years old when Trump was elected president in 2016. She told him: “You know what superheroes do? They fight back.”

The crowd erupted when media mogul Oprah Winfrey stepped up to the DNC podium and made a surprise appearance in a purple suit.

Quoting civil rights leader John Lewis and the lyrics of Woody Guthrie’s song This Land is Your Land, the longtime TV host told his audience that “America is an ongoing project” that requires “hard work and dedication.”

Winfrey pointed to abortion bans in Republican states as an example of a loss of freedom. “If you can’t control when and how you choose to bring your child into this world and how they are raised and supported, then there is no American dream,” she said to loud applause.

When speaking about the principles of solidarity and neighborly values, she used the metaphor of a burning house – saying that the right thing to do is to save the people living in it, even if one of them is “cat without children“.

The comments referred to a 2021 interview in which Mr Vance dismissed Democratic politicians as “a bunch of childless cat-loving women”.

She wasn’t the only celebrity to show support for Democrats on Wednesday.

Soul legend Stevie Wonder took to the podium and then the piano – followed by John Legend on keyboards performing Prince’s Let’s Go Crazy.

There were also some fun moments that weren’t political. Comedian Mindy Kaling somehow managed to sneak in a joke about Ben Affleck’s divorce from Jennifer Lopez.

Former President Bill Clinton delivered his 12th consecutive convention address – a tradition that began in 1980 and continued during his two terms in the White House in the 1990s.

He received a warm welcome from Democrats, although not to the extent of former President Barack Obama on Tuesday night.

“In 2024, we have a clear choice: ‘We the People’ versus ‘Me, myself and I,’” the 78-year-old said, referring to Trump. “I know which option I prefer for our country.”

Clinton, who was famously born in the small town of Hope, Arkansas, and later became governor of that state, reiterated Obamas warning last night – said Democrats should not be “overconfident.”

“One of the reasons why President-elect Harris is doing so well is because we’re all so excited,” he added. “But you should never underestimate your opponent.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gets credit for helping convince President Joe Biden out of the 2024 White House race – as well as a little heat.

But the crowd at the United Center did not appear hostile toward her. The veteran Democrat began her speech by expressing gratitude to Mr. Biden.

“Thank you, Joe,” the 84-year-old said after listing the president’s legislative accomplishments.

Despite reports of discord between Mr Biden and Ms Pelosi, the president used his speech at the DNC earlier this week to deny that he was upset with those calling for his resignation in this year’s election.

Pelosi did not delve further into the controversy and spent much of the rest of her time praising Harris and criticizing Trump’s role in inciting the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.