DNC Day 3: Tim Walz accepts VP nomination, rallying Democrats to fight

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz formally accepted the vice presidential nomination on the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, introducing himself to the nation with an impassioned speech that showcased his Midwest roots.

Deploying a folksy, no-holds-barred tone, Walz recounted his career as a public school teacher and his record as governor of Minnesota. He touted the progressive policies he implemented, including paid leave and protections for reproductive rights, and drew upon his experience as a high school football coach to rally Democrats to continue working to win over voters through Election Day.

"It's the fourth quarter. We're down a field goal. But we're on offense. We're driving down the field. And, boy, do we have the right team," Walz said. "We got 76 days. That's nothing. There'll be time to sleep when you're dead. We're gonna leave it all on the field. That's how we'll keep moving forward. That's how we'll turn the page on Donald Trump."

The night included notable speeches from former President Bill Clinton , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and, in a surprise appearance, Oprah Winfrey . The TV legend offered a full-throated endorsement of Harris, portraying her life story as the continuation of a long American tradition of overcoming adversity.

Here's how the third night of the DNC played out:

Walz pitches Democratic agenda, vows to "leave it all on the field" in campaign

Walz accused Trump and vice presidential nominee JD Vance of pushing an agenda that would make Americans' lives more difficult. While Trump has distanced himself from the policy proposals described in Project 2025, a presidential transition initiative overseen by the Heritage Foundation, Walz likened the guide to a playbook that will be put to use if Trump is elected to a second term.

"It's an agenda nobody asked for. It's an agenda that serves nobody except the richest people and the most extreme amongst us. And it's an agenda that does nothing for our neighbors in need," he said. "Is it weird? Absolutely. But it's also wrong. And it's dangerous."

Walz denounced Trump's understanding of leadership, and said good leaders "don't spend all day insulting people and blaming people."

"Leaders do the work," he said. "I don't know about you all, but I'm ready to turn the page on these guys. So go ahead, say it with me: 'We're not going back!'"

He then laid out his and Harris' agenda if they are elected president and vice president, which includes tax cuts for middle-class families, lower prescription drug costs and affordable housing.

"No matter who you are, Kamala Harris is gonna stand up and fight for your freedom to live the life that you want to lead," she said. "Because that's what we want for ourselves and it's what we want for our neighbors."

He closed his speech by drawing on his experience as a football coach.

"It's the fourth quarter. We're down a field goal. But we're on offense. We're driving down the field. And, boy, do we have the right team. Kamala Harris is tough, Kamala Harris is experienced. And Kamala Harris is ready," Walz said. "Our job, for everyone watching, is to get in the trenches and do the blocking and tackling. One inch at a time, one yard at a time, one phone call at a time, one door knock at a time, one $5 donation at a time."

He continued: "We got 76 days. That's nothing. There'll be time to sleep when you're dead. We're gonna leave it all on the field. That's how we'll keep moving forward. That's how we'll turn the page on Donald Trump."

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Walz lays out biography, touts record as Minnesota governor

Walz recited the main points of his background, recalling his childhood growing up in a small town in Nebraska, his 24 years of service in the Army National Guard and his career as a high school teacher and football coach.

"It was those players and my students who inspired me to run for Congress. They saw in me what I had hoped to instill in them — a commitment to the common good. An understanding that we're all in this together. And the belief that a single person can make a real difference for their neighbors," Walz said. "So there I was, a 40-something high school teacher with little kids, zero political experience and no money, running in a deep-red district. But you know what? Never underestimate a public school teacher."

Walz served 12 years in the House before becoming governor of Minnesota. He touted some of his progressive accomplishments during his time in the governor's mansion, including middle-class tax cuts, paid leave and free lunch and breakfast in public schools.

"While other states were banning books from their schools, we were banishing hunger from ours," he said. "We also protected reproductive freedom, because in Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make. Even if we wouldn't make those same choices for ourselves, we've got a golden rule: Mind your own damn business."

Klobuchar, introducing Walz, praises his "Midwestern common sense"

"That was a warm-up act!" Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said of the Prince cover.

She didn't miss another opportunity to get in a Prince reference as she introduced Walz, who will accept the vice presidential nomination.

"On behalf of the great state of Minnesota, where purple rains, I stand before you in support of our next vice president, Tim Walz," she said.

She praised Walz's "Midwestern common sense," saying it enables him to find "common ground."

"Who better to take on the price of gas than a guy who could pull over to help change your tire? Who better to serve our nation than a guy who has served in uniform?" she said. "A former football coach knows how to level the playing field, and a former public school teacher knows how to school the likes of JD Vance."

Buttigieg lights into Trump and Vance, saying they're "doubling down on negativity and grievance"

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg opened his speech with a nod to his recent television appearances on Fox News, telling the crowd, "I'm Pete Buttigieg, and you might recognize me from Fox News."

He launched into criticisms of Trump and Vance, who he characterized as "one of those guys who thinks if you don't live the life he has in mind for you, then you don't count."

"Choosing a guy like JD Vance to be America's next vice president sends a message, all right: doubling down on negativity and grievance. A concept of campaigning best summed up in one word: darkness. That's what they are selling. But I just don't think America today is in the market for darkness," he said.

Buttigieg said he believes politics can be "empowering and uplifting," and accused Republicans of pushing a message that casts people of different political viewpoints as the enemy.

"I believe in a better politics, one that finds us at our most decent, and open, and brave," he said.

Buttigieg spoke of the nation's progress through his own story, where he and his husband, Chasten, are raising two children at their home in Michigan.

"This November we get to choose. We get to choose our president, we get to choose our policies, but most of all, we will choose a better politics, a politics that calls us to our better selves  and offers us a better every day," he said. "That is what Kamala Harris and Tim Walz represent. That is what Democrats represent. That is what awaits us when America decides to end Trump's politics of darkness once and for all."

Oprah Winfrey rallies Democrats in raucous surprise appearance

Oprah Winfrey riled up the crowd of Democrats with a surprise appearance, offering a full-throated endorsement of Harris.

"We're now so fired up, we can't wait to leave here and do something," she said. "And what we're going to do is elect Kamala Harria as the next president of the United States."

Winfrey warned of politicians who are seeking to sow division in the country and push a message of fear, but encouraged Americans to come together in unity.

"When we stand together, it is impossible to conquer us," she said.

Winfrey invoked the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat who was a civil rights activist, in speaking of the continued effort to protect freedom.

"When a house is on fire, we don't ask about the homeowner's race or religion. We don't wonder who their partner is or how they voted. No. We just try to do the best we can to save them," she said. "And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get the cat out too."

Winfrey's comment was a reference to television remarks Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance made in 2021 lamenting that the country is run by a "bunch of childless cat ladies."

The iconic talk show host accused Trump of using "old tricks and tropes" to distract Americans.

"But we are beyond ridiculous tweets and lies and foolery," she said. "These are complicated times and they require adult conversations."

Winfrey's speech evoked emotion from convention attendees, as cameras showed delegates wiping tears and breaking out into chants of "U-S-A."

"Soon, very soon, we're going to be teaching our daughters and sons about how this child of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, two idealistic immigrants — immigrants — how this child grew up to become the 47th president of the United States," she said. "That is the best of America."

Winfrey rebuked Trump's comments about elections to demonstrate the importance of voting, and made a direct appeal to independent and undecided voters: "You know I'm telling you the truth that values and character matter most of all in leadership and in life."

She said "decency and respect," as well as common sense are on the ballot in November.

"We are Americans. Let us choose loyalty to the Constitution over loyalty to any individual because that's the best of America. Let us choose optimism over cynicism because that's the best of America. And let us choose inclusion over retribution, let us choose common sense over nonsense because that's the best of America. And let us choose the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return to yesterday," she said.

Winfrey continued: "We won't go back. We won't be set back, pushed back, bullied back, kicked back, we're not going back. Let us choose truth, let us choose honor and let us choose joy because that's the best of America."

She concluded with a push for voters to elect Harris as the next president in November.

Amanda Gorman debuts new poem, "This Sacred Scene"

Amanda Gorman , who made history as the youngest-ever poet at a presidential inauguration in 2021, debuted a new poem called "This Sacred Scene."

"We gather at this hallowed place because we believe in the American dream," the poem began. "We face a race that tests if this country we cherish shall perish from the Earth, and if our Earth shall perish from this country."

The poem ended, "Let us not just believe in the American dream. Let us be worthy of it."

She rose to fame in 2021 when she performed "The Hill We Climb" at Mr. Biden's inauguration.

Shapiro pushes voters to "choose a path of decency" in next election

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro praised Harris as a barrier-breaking candidate, and contrasted her with Trump and the policies he and fellow Republicans have advocated.

"Will we be a nation defined by chaos and extremism or will we choose a path of decency, honor and continued progress?" he said.

Shapiro was considered by Harris and her team to serve as her running mate, though the nod ultimately went to Walz.

"Kamala Harris, well she has spent her entire career making progress," he said. "Donald Trump, a man with no guardrails, wants to take away our rights and our freedoms."

Shapiro lambasted Trump and Republicans for their stance on abortion and education.

"It sure as hell isn't freedom to say, you can go vote, but he gets to pick the winner. That's not freedom," he said.

The Pennsylvania Democrat said while Harris and Walz are on the ballot, it is Americans' rights that are at stake in the November election.

"You have the power to shape the future of this country, just like our ancestors who fought for freedom on the battlefield and sat-in at lunch counters so their kids could stand up," he said.

He urged voters to "write the next chapter in our American story."

"Are you ready to protect our rights? Are you ready to secure our freedoms? Are you ready to defend our democracy? And are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?" he said.

Pelosi gives nod to Biden for "patriotic vision of a fairer America"

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the inauguration of Mr. Biden and Harris was the start of "one of the most successful presidencies of modern times."

She ticked off the list of legislation enacted when Democrats controlled the House in the first two years of Mr. Biden's administration, including a sweeping infrastructure package and their signature climate, tax and health care plan.

"All thanks to President Biden's patriotic vision of a fairer America, doing so with liberty and justice for all. Thank you Joe," she said. "And I know that Vice President Harris is ready to take us to new heights."

Pelosi's comments about Mr. Biden come amid reports the president is upset she pushed him to exit the presidential race. As the president was working to bolster support for his candidacy from congressional Democrats last month, the California Democrat appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" and declined to explicitly back his reelection bid.

During her convention speech, Pelosi praised Harris, calling her a "person of deep faith" and a "leader of strength, with wisdom and eloquence on policy."

The California Democrat invoked the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, and encouraged attendees to remember Trump's role in the attack.

"Never before had a president of the United States so brazenly assaulted the bedrock of our democracy, so gleefully embraced political violence, so willfully betrayed his oath of office," she said. "Let us not forget who assaulted democracy on Jan. 6. He did. But let us not forget who saved democracy that day. We did."

She said the events of Jan. 6 underscore the importance of electing leaders who support free and fair elections, and respect the peaceful transfer of presidential power.

"The choice couldn't be clearer. Those leaders are Vice President Harris and Governor Walz," she said. "When the sun rose on Jan. 7, as our national anthem declares, we 'gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.' Now, in this election, we are called upon to do the same, to stand together, to reject autocracy, to choose democracy."

She closed by saying the nation will do just that in electing Harris for president, Walz for vice president, and flipping control of the House to Democrats.

Clinton warns Democrats: "You should never underestimate your adversary"

Former President Bill Clinton , whose wife Hillary lost to Trump in 2016 when she was widely expected to win, warned his fellow Democrats other elections have been lost due to overconfidence.

"We've seen more than one election slip away from us when we thought it couldn't happen," Clinton said.

The former president warned the audience that there are still "a lot of slips between today and Election Day that we have to navigate."

"You should never underestimate your adversary, and these people are very good at distracting us," he said.

The former president, 78, said he doesn't know how many more conventions he will be able to attend, having attended every four-year gathering since 1972.

"We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy, to lead us," Clinton said.

Clinton takes on Trump in DNC speech: "He creates chaos"

Clinton, beginning his 12th convention address, opened his remarks by thanking President Biden and praising Harris, before turning his focus to Trump. He asked viewers to consider who will work for them in the White House.

"In 2024, we have got a pretty clear choice, it seems to me. Kamala Harris, for the people. And the other guy, who's proved, even more than the first go-around, that he's about me, myself and I," Clinton said in Chicago, where he accepted the nomination in 1996 when he was running for reelection.

"I know which one I like better for our country. Kamala Harris will solve problems, seize opportunities, ease our fears, and make sure every American, however they vote, has a chance to chase their dreams," he said. "Meanwhile, Donald Trump has been a paragon of consistency. He's still dividing, he's still blaming, he's still belittling other people. He creates chaos, and then he sort of curates it as if it were precious art."

He continued: "He mostly talks about himself. So the next time you hear him, don't count the lies. Count the i's."

"He's like one of those tenors, opening up, before he walks out on stage, trying to get his lungs open by saying 'me, me, me, me, me,'" Clinton said. "When Kamala Harris is president, everyday will begin with 'you, you, you, you.'"

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Jeffries likens Trump to an "old boyfriend" who "just won't go away"

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries began his speech praising Mr. Biden for his decision to step aside from the White House race and said Democratic lawmakers "could not have asked for a better leader to partner with."

He said Democrats will deliver for the American people on affordable housing, combating gun violence and ensuring affordable health care.

"Kamala Harris is a courageous leader, a compassionate leader and a common sense leader who will deliver real results," he said. "Kamala Harris is fighting for our freedom. Kamala Harris is fighting for our families. Kamala Harris is fighting for our future together. Let's make Kamala Harris the 47th president of the United States."

The New York Democrat turned his attention to Trump, calling him an "old boyfriend who you broke up with, but he just won't go away."

"Donald Trump can spin the block all he wants, but there's no reason for us to ever get back together. Been there, done that," he said.

Jeffries said Trump and his supporters want to divide the nation but encouraged unity.

"There's only 76 days left. We must continue to speak up. We must continue to show up. We must continue to stand up, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans," he said. "And when we do, nothing can stop Kamala Harris from becoming the 47th president of the United States of America. Nothing can stop House Democrats from taking back the majority. Nothing can stop the American people from continuing our march toward a more perfect union."

Mindy Kaling jokes about cooking with Kamala Harris

Mindy Kaling, who starred in "The Office," is the celebrity host for Wednesday's primetime programming.

"I am an incredibly famous Gen Z actress who you might recognize from 'The Office,' 'The Mindy Project,' or as a woman who courageously outed Kamala Harris as Indian in an Instagram cooking video. You're welcome," she joked.

It was a reference to a cooking video the two made in 2019 in which they made masala dosa. Trump recently used the video to question Harris' racial identity.

Kaling talked about Harris coming to her home to cook the South Indian dish and how they connected over their mothers, who were both immigrants from India.

"The thing I remember the most about the vice president is that Kamala Harris can cook," she said. "But she also knew that my family was watching. So as she gently corrected my sloppy dosa making, she was complimenting me every step of the way, making sure that my daughter, Kit, heard how good of a cook I am. She had no desire to be seen as better than anyone else.

"When she finally fit into my dosa, she looked at me and said, 'Really good!' and then never took another bite again."

Each night has featured a different celebrity as the host of the final two hours. On Monday, it was Tony Goldwyn from "Scandal." "The View" co-host Ana Navarro was featured on Tuesday.

Stevie Wonder performs and urges delegates to "choose courage over complacency"

Legendary musician Stevie Wonder told the convention crowd that he has prayed this year for peace in the country and said the 2024 election presents the nation with one clear path to take.

"We must choose courage over complacency. It is time to get up and go vote," he said. "The choice is clear, clearer than anyone else is saying. … We need to choose joy over anger, kindness over recrimination and peace over war every time. We must choose to be above the ugly words, the hateful anger and the division those words and anger create. We must keep on keeping on until we truly are a united people of these United States and then, we will reach our higher ground."

He urged voters to elect Harris and Walz before performing for a raucous crowd.

Clinton rewrote speech after first day of convention

The former president rewrote his convention speech after seeing the energy among Democrats on the first night of the convention, an aide told CBS News.

"After being here for an afternoon it was clear to him that, in the spirit of Mario Coumo, we needed more poetry, not prose," the aide said, referring to the former New York governor who often repeated his mantra that "you campaign in poetry and govern in prose."

Cuomo's keynote address at the 1984 DNC is considered one of the best convention speeches in modern history.

Rep. Bennie Thompson: Trump is "plotting again" to subvert democracy

Rep. Bennie Thompson, who chaired the House committee tasked with investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, walked out to chants of "lock him up."

Before Thompson spoke, a video of violent scenes from that day played, ending with the message: "If reelected, [Trump] will never be held accountable."

"They did it because Donald Trump couldn't handle losing," the Mississippi Democrat said. "He would rather subvert democracy than submit to it. Now he's plotting again."

"Elections are about choice. Choose Democracy, not political violence," he said. "Choose Kamala Harris."