In the context provided, the phrasing could be:
"Buddy Walz" has been buddy-ing up with Kamala Harris for around two weeks now. She's the tough lawyer, he's the friendly guy from rural America's heartland. During the convention, he does what gets him liked by the young crowd: he speaks plainly.
"Coach," the crowd harmonizes: "Coach, Coach, Coach!" Vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz, the ex-coach and educator, has just informed the Democratic US delegates that he hasn't had many large events like the US Democratic Convention before. But he knows something about energizing speeches. Walz, the current governor of Minnesota, is supposed to help Harris, who hails from Democrat-dominated California, secure crucial votes for November victory.
"This is the fourth quarter," he depicts the situation against the Republicans: "We're down by a touchdown. But we have the ball and the advantage on offense. We're advancing down the field. And let me tell you, we have the right team. Kamala Harris is tough. Kamala Harris is experienced. And Kamala Harris is ready. Our role is to block and tackles. Inch by inch. Yard by yard."
The 60-year-old Walz hails from rural America's heartland, where Democrats and Republicans compete for each vote because it could decide the White House. Walz served as a congressman earlier. He recalls being "a forty-something high school teacher with kids at home," lacking political experience and funds, but running in a deeply red district. "But guess what? Never underestimate a public school teacher. Never!" The crowd cheers for him, waving their previously handed out "Coach Walz" signs.
"Everyone is Welcome"
Some media outlets are already framing the election as a struggle over masculinity itself, with Walz portrayed as the progressive dad with honest roots, a former soldier, teacher, and American football coach, and his Republican opponent J.D. Vance as the toxic masculine counterpart, translating his family values and Catholicism into extreme demands. It's not exactly one thing or the other, but: Walz adheres to softer family-oriented stereotypes particularly appealing against Donald Trump.
"If you grow up in a small town, you learn to look after one another," Walz emphasizes the concept of unity. "The neighboring family might not share your views, they might not practice your faith, they might not share your affection. But they live nearby. Everyone is welcome." As Walz expresses fondness for his family, his son Gus stands up, tears streaming down his face, unable to hold back his emotions until his mother and sister pull him back to his seat.
In the weeks since being named the vice-presidential nominee, Walz has been turned into an all-purpose billboard. The Republicans, he said, are just weird, sparking a trend. He positions himself as the opposite: a down-to-earth family man, displaying unpretentious authenticity. He talks about community and unity, while Republicans focus on division and "the other," making them seem unreachable. Walz appeals to the younger generation as well. After all, he's been part of their lives as a teacher and father for half his life. The Democrats are trying to turn those qualities into Walz's unique strength, the one to propel Harris and him to the White House.
Young Voters Prefer Authenticity
Earlier in the day, at an event about how to reach voters aged 18 to 27, the emphasis was on what truly drives this crucial group for the Democrats. "We don't have data on this just yet because it's early," one of the presenters says about Walz, "but when this white guy from Minnesota discusses his young adult daughter casually in interviews, it's intriguing." Walz had also signed a few important bills as governor during his tenure, which is why young voters talk about him.
Walz is fundamental for Democrats because he connects with young voters better than Vance and hasn't yet deeply embedded himself in party structures. Biden likely wouldn't have won the presidency in 2020 without broad support from this group. Harris and Walz must replicate this, or their chances of defeating Trump will decline quickly. Scare tactics don't work on Generation Z, the presenters reported; they prefer authenticity, a vision for the future, and a feeling of belonging. Communication is key with Generation Z. Initial polls show that Walz is seen as more authentic than Vance and generally more positively.
This was also evident on social media. After Harris picked Walz, there were numerous posts about fictitious "Dad" scenarios. "Tim Walz slips you $20 into your pocket when you're low on gas money," one said; another read, "Tim Walz honks at you at the red light, signals for you to roll down your window, and tells you your right rear tire looks low on air." Gaming website IGN also discovered that Walz could become the first "Gamer Vice President": he was reported to be an avid Sega Dreamcast user and occasionally looked too deeply into the console, causing his wife to take it away.
So Far, It's Working"**
As the freshly named vice-presidential nominee Walz, he journeyed through disputed territories alongside Harris, dishing out a typical Midwestern meal recipe on social X. His turkey dish garnered over 1.5 million views and was cooked by numerous followers. One enthusiastic user chimed in, "Let him cook!" Such incidents spark conversations for Walz or when during the convention, his kids playfully stuck bunny ears behind his back, a moment he proudly shared on his feed. Some may dub it as propaganda, but it's evident, the strategy is working. Walz, at present, is viewed favorably among Democrats as the affectionate father with a broad-hearted empathy, advocating for Harris in her mission to shield the future from potential destruction by individuals akin to Donald Trump.
In the bid for voters in the Midwest, Walz and Republican candidate Vance are both hard at work. Walz exudes a family-oriented, hardworking, and socially-conscious image of his hometown, characterized by farms and quaint towns. Meanwhile, Vance focuses on the demographic that propelled Trump to victory in 2016—the Rust Belt, where industrial cities, people, and communities have faced decline and yearn for recognition. So, who holds the key in November?
In the political context, Walz and Harris are preparing for the US presidential election of 2024, with Walz expected to help secure crucial votes for Harris. Walz, as the vice-presidential nominee, is seen as a contrast to his Republican opponent, appealing to young voters with his authenticity and down-to-earth persona.
