Tim Walz hugs America, as Democrats embrace freedom

The third day of the DNC was yet another powerful indictment of Trump and the GOP, and a celebration of Democratic values, which are American values.

Just a short post about night three of the DNC, as I’m sitting on Media Row, doing pre-tape interviews for my SiriusXM program, and preparing for today’s show.

Last night appeared to be about reaching out to voters who are beyond the base of the Democratic Party, celebrating freedom—taking the term previously used by the GOP—and keeping government out of our lives in every way. It underscores the values that transcend the political parties and appeal to everyone.

President Clinton was showcased as the last president to win red states like Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. Not that anyone thinks that can happen in 2024, but Clinton’s appeal went beyond the Democratic base, and he was there to reach out to those voters. And of course, the surprise speech by Oprah, underscoring the power of celebrity, which cuts across political parties.

Pete Buttigieg talked about growing up gay in Indiana and now living as a gay parent in Michigan, and he hit hard at Trump and JD Vance, saying they’re "doubling down on negativity and grievance.” And there were more Republicans who previously supported Donald Trump speaking from the podium, making the case to Republicans and independents that they should back Kamala Harris.

There was still a lot of fun and joy, as has been at the forefront of this convention. And hilarious jabs at the GOP. Mindy Kaling joked that she outed Kamala Harris as Indian-American, skewering Trump’s claim that Harris previously only identified as Indian and not Black because she agreed she was Indian in a cooking video:

“For those of you who don’t know me, I am an incredibly famous Gen Z actress who you might recognize from ‘The Office,’ ‘The Mindy Project,’ or as the woman who courageously outed Kamala Harris as Indian in an Instagram cooking video,” she said.

And “Saturday Night Live” legend Kenan Thompson did a hilarious takedown of Project 2025.

But the night belonged to Tim Walz, who accepted the nomination as vice president while hammering the GOP, Trump, and Vance and celebrating freedom—with his great mantra, “Mind your own damned business!"—and football. The delegates roared while holding up “Coach Walz” signs.

It was a great speech that, again, spoke to the values of Americans across urban, rural, and small-town America, and across political parties. And it was another emotional speech that that had people weeping with joy as the cameras turned to his his son, Gus Walz, who, through tears, pointed at his dad while sitting in the audience and saying, “That’s my dad!”

When you contrast all of this with the GOP—and have Trump’s children ever shown any emotion?—it’s like night and day.

Again, just a quick post in between doing pre-tap interviews and preparing for today’s show and tonight, the biggest night of the convention. I’m sure you all have your own thoughts, so please take it from here! And for those who listen to the show, I’ll see you on the radio!