Day 3 of the US Democratic Primary... Night of 'Vice Presidential Candidate' Walz

The third day of the U.S. Democratic National Convention (DNC) on the 21st (local time) is literally 'Walz Night.' Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota and the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, will stand before voters that night to deliver his acceptance speech, sharing his life and values. Prior to this, former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Oprah Winfrey, and others are scheduled to take the stage to urge support for the Democratic candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Walz.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Walz’s Vice Presidential Acceptance Speech... Highlight of Day 3

According to CNN’s live broadcast, the theme of the Democratic National Convention held at the United Center in Chicago from around 6 p.m. that evening is 'The Fight for Freedom.' As per the convention’s tradition, the vice-presidential candidate’s acceptance speech is scheduled during the prime time on the third day. It is expected to be released around noon Korean time.

Known for his down-to-earth 'neighborly uncle' image, Governor Walz is expected to introduce his life?born in a small town in Nebraska and having worked as a teacher and football coach before entering politics?and emphasize his values in his speech. According to sources, his speech will focus on optimism, joy, and patriotism. CNN reported, "This is the biggest stage in his political career," calling it "a night of great significance for Walz." The New York Times (NYT) evaluated, "The speech closing the third day of the convention in Chicago will be the biggest test of Harris’s decision to choose Walz as her running mate."

Before the highlight of Governor Walz’s acceptance speech, former President Clinton will take the stage. This marks Clinton’s 13th speech at the Democratic National Convention. CNN, citing insiders, said, "Clinton and Walz aim to reach out to Democrats in areas with strong Trump support during their speeches," adding, "It is designed to emphasize one of the key reasons Harris chose Walz as her running mate." Another CNN article reported that Clinton tore up the original draft speech he had been working on since the first night of the convention and rewrote it with "a more fun, youthful, and enjoyable approach." This shows how much effort is being put into the convention speeches that day.

Oprah Winfrey, known as the queen of talk shows, will also speak. Although Winfrey was not initially listed among the confirmed speakers by major foreign media, CNN reported, citing sources, that she will attend the convention and express support for Vice President Harris. Winfrey had officially endorsed President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris during the 2020 presidential election. Other speakers on the list include major political figures exerting behind-the-scenes influence in the Democratic Party such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Governor Walz’s wife Gwen Walz, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro?who was also mentioned as a presidential candidate alongside Harris?and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Their speeches are scheduled to follow shortly.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Looking at the Speakers... Focus on 'The Fight for Freedom' Including Abortion Rights and January 6th

In line with the theme of the third day, speakers addressing key issues of this election such as abortion rights, the January 6 Capitol riot, former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election, and criticism of Trump’s policy blueprint known as 'Project 2025' are also taking the stage. The NYT reported, "The convention began with a focus on abortion rights," noting that it is a key issue not only in battleground states but also in states not central to the presidential election.

Mini Timaraju, president of 'Reproductive Freedom for All,' an abortion rights organization, spoke early in the convention, asking, "Do you want a president who says women should be punished for having abortions, or a president who trusts women?" He emphasized, "If women are not free, we cannot call ourselves a free country," and stressed, "When abortion is on the ballot, we win."

Kelly Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, one of the largest LGBTQ+ organizations in the U.S., also spoke, saying, "Progress is happening," and "More than 20 million LGBTQ+ Americans are proof of that. We are your friends, neighbors, and family." He argued, "Donald Trump wants to erase us, block our healthcare, demean marriage, and bury our stories," but "we are not going anywhere. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are champions for LGBTQ+ freedom."

John Paulin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of American hostages held by Hamas, also took the stage. As they appeared, the audience gave a standing ovation and shouted, "Bring them home." They emphasized, "(The convention) is a political event, but bringing our son (Hersh Goldberg-Paulin) and precious hostages home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue."

Andy Kim, a Korean-American congressman from the Democratic Party in New Jersey, who is the first Korean-American to run for the U.S. Senate this November, is giving a speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) held in Chicago on the 21st (local time). The on-site screen shows a photo of Congressman Kim quietly cleaning up glass and trash on the floor during the January 6 Capitol riot. The photo was widely reported in the media at the time and became a topic of interest. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Criticism of former President Trump also poured out at the venue. Olivia Troye, former national security advisor to Republican Vice President Mike Pence, said, "Working in Trump’s White House was terrifying," warning, "What keeps me up at night is what will happen if he returns to the White House." She claimed, "Trump is lying again and laying the groundwork to undermine elections," adding, "That’s his method. He sows doubt and division. Because that’s the only way he can win."

Senator Chris Murphy said, "Hate and division are Trump’s oxygen," criticizing, "People like Trump and JD Vance need it to survive in politics. People say they are strange and creepy." Korean-American Representative Andy Kim said, "On January 6, we all learned that we are stewards of our great republic," and "I refuse to accept the fate of our children growing up in a broken America." He became a topic of discussion after photos were published showing him quietly cleaning up glass and trash left on the floor of the Capitol during the January 6 riot.

Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Harris will not attend the convention venue that day. Campaign aides confirmed that Vice President Harris will watch the speeches on television from her hotel accommodation in Chicago. This is also interpreted as a gesture to allow her running mate, Governor Walz, to receive more attention. Vice President Harris made a surprise appearance at the venue on the first day of the convention on the 19th to personally listen to and pay tribute to President Joe Biden’s speech, who had earlier made the bold decision to withdraw from the presidential race. The day before, she briefly appeared on screen via video connection during a speech in Milwaukee. She is expected to reveal her vision for governance through her acceptance speech as the presidential candidate on the final day of the convention, the 22nd.