CHICAGO — The third day of the Democratic National Convention featured Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) as the headliner, with support from former football players he used to coach.
“Uncommitted” delegates gathered outside the DNC to protest the fact that no Palestinian Americans were scheduled to speak at the event. Democrats also provided a “gender-neutral” prayer room off the convention floor at the United Center.
Here’s some of the buzz on Wednesday at the DNC, captured by the Washington Examiner.
‘Walz Wednesday’
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign tried to make “Walz Wednesday” happen before Walz’s ceremonial acceptance of the vice presidential nomination.
Donning Walz’s camouflage baseball cap, Michael Tyler, communications director for the campaign, also defended the governor from criticism surrounding Walz and his wife’s use of intrauterine insemination and not in vitro fertilization as he claimed.
“The governor is going to fully submit the introductory period here,” Tyler told reporters. “He’s been very clear so far that infertility — it’s a deeply personal journey that both he and his wife have been courageous enough to share. I think that should be celebrated. I think it’s, frankly, very relatable to millions of American families across this country who have gone through the same struggle. Frankly, I think it’s a little bizarre that J.D. Vance and Donald Trump want to attack the governor for experiencing something that, again, millions of Americans go through themselves.”
Sleepy McCormick Place
McCormick Place, the convention daytime programming hub, was a hive of activity earlier this week. But after the Obamas’ Tuesday night programming, the convention center was sleepy on Wednesday.
Even Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain did not draw a crowd for their appearances at the Democratic National Committee’s Labor Council meeting.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison apologized for his raspy voice, apportioning blame to the prior evening’s party circuit.
Walz’s former student football players take the stage
Former football players at Mankato West, at which Walz taught and coached, took the stage ahead of his speech at the event.
Delegates wave ‘big heads’ of ‘coach Walz’
Delegates on the convention floor could be seen waving big head cutouts of Walz as he spoke Wednesday night.
Signs emblazoned with “Coach Walz” made up the majority of the signs on the floor. Walz has heavily leaned on his background as a high school teacher and football coach while campaigning.
Giffords and Kelly were spotted walking
Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a leader in the movement to end gun violence after she survived an assassination attempt in 2011, was seen walking hand in hand with her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ). They were spotted walking off the convention floor, holding hands.
Gender-neutral prayer rugs
The convention space has plenty of gender-neutral bathrooms for transgender delegates and guests. Democrats also set up a “gender-neutral” prayer room off the convention floor at the United Center with two prayer rugs. It’s next to prayer spaces for women and men.
Pelosi resumes her speaker duties
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made the rounds Wednesday morning at delegation breakfasts, with a bit of a twist at the Maryland meeting.
Pelosi, a Baltimore native, was given a gavel to close out the morning gathering, reprising her role as leader of the House of Representatives.
Lack of official convention Harris merchandise
President Joe Biden’s face is featured on more merchandise than Harris’s, considering she is the nominee — at least based on what is remaining at the McCormick Place store.
But reflecting on the last-minute change at the top of the ticket, it is also not that surprising.
Will Beyonce show up?
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) was a tease during the North Carolina delegation’s breakfast.
When he mentioned the possibility of “an unexpected musical guest” before Harris’s acceptance speech Thursday night, people did not gasp — they screamed. Harris’s walkout song has been Beyonce’s “Freedom,” leading fans to suspect the superstar would make a surprise appearance on the final night.
At the same breakfast, Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) really wanted to kiss a baby.
‘Bad built, bleach blonde, butch body’
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) showed up to media row Wednesday night wearing a T-shirt calling back to her exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) earlier this year.
Asked by the Washington Examiner if she had trademarked the phrase “BAD BUILT, BLEACH BLONDE BUTCH BODY,” Crockett responded simply, “I submitted for it.”
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‘Uncommitted’ delegates stage sit-in outside DNC to protest lack of Palestinian American speaker
“Uncommitted” delegates gathered outside the DNC to protest the fact that no Palestinian Americans were scheduled to speak at the event. The sit-in happened after the parents of an Israeli American hostage taken during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on a music festival in Israel took the convention stage.
The DNC reportedly declined the “Uncommitted” delegates’ request to have a Palestinian American speaker. “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) posted support and later FaceTimed the group, while Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) made an appearance outside.
