By Charles Dervarics

The speeches ran long again Wednesday on a celebrity-filled night in Chicago, but fortunately for Democrats, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz showed he’s a former football coach who knows the value of a powerful pep talk.

In a folksy 18-minute address, Walz introduced himself to the nation as a farm boy, veteran, teacher, and (by the way) a politician whose humble roots will serve him well as Kamala Harris’ Vice President. He also highlighted his background as a high school football coach, with members of his state championship team — in their team jerseys — coming out on stage.

That was just the start of the football analogies. Of the tight presidential race, he said, “It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal but we have the ball and we’re driving downfield. Our job is to get into the trenches and do the blocking and tackling.”

Of the Republicans’ Project 2025, he said not to take the GOP’s word that they are abandoning this governing blueprint. “When somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’ll use it.”

He also drew wide applause by proclaiming “never underestimate a teacher” when citing his gubernatorial accomplishments such as paid family leave and free meals for school-age children. “While other schools were banning books from their schools, we were eliminating hunger at ours.”

With shouts of “Coach, Coach” from the crowd, he also offered his takes on these hot-button issues:

•On Abortion: Regarding reproductive rights, he said Minnesotans have a rule: “Mind your own damn business.”

•On Guns: He described himself as a hunter who’s “a better shot” than many Republicans in Congress. Still, he has signed gun safety laws as it’s “our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe.”

With Walz’ nomination complete, the last remaining task for Democrats is Harris’ speech Thursday where she will accept the nomination for president. 

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Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder and John Legend were among the celebrities on stage Wednesday for speeches and music. Winfrey noted that she’s not a registered Democrat but urged fellow independents to support Harris. She said character and values “matter most of all.”

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The night’s speakers also included Republicans critical of Trump, including Geoff Duncan, lieutenant governor of Georgia from 2019 to 2023. Duncan talked about Trump’s detailed efforts to undermine Georgia’s 2020 election tally, which led to Republicans repeatedly protesting at Duncan’s home when he did not want to alter the results. 

“These days our party acts more like a cult — a cult worshipping a felonious thug,” he said. “If you vote for Kamala Harris in 2024, you’re not a Democrat. You’re a patriot.”

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Former President Bill Clinton left the Oval Office in 2001, but last night he noted that he’s still younger than Donald Trump. It’s one of the ways the presidential race has changed in the past month, with Trump now facing questions about his ability to serve as president as he nears age 80. 

Clinton returned to familiar territory though, by claiming the GOP nominee cares more about himself than the country. “The next time you listen to him, don’t count the lies. Count the I’s.” 

Clinton was known to be a fast-food aficionado — satirized on Saturday Night Live among others — and he leaned into this Wednesday night. Noting that Kamala Harris worked at McDonald’s when she was young, the former president was glad that a President Harris would set one new mark: “She will break my record for the president who spent the most time at McDonald’s.”