Joy, freedom and dumping Trump: Five takeaways from the third night of the DNC

(CHICAGO) — On the third day of the Democratic National Convention, the party's vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, introduced himself to Americans in the keynote address. Several heavyweights also spoke. The evening focused on what the party calls the “politics of joy.”

Here's a look at some of the highlights and key takeaways as the DNC prepares for its fourth and final night of Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the party's nomination for president.

Walz introduces himself

Walz did his job in his speech at the convention. He praised his own career and talked about his experiences in the Army National Guard and as a high school teacher.

“It was these players and my students who inspired me to run for Congress. They saw in me what I wanted to convey to them: a commitment to the common good,” he said.

He also drew attention to his political achievements, winning particular acclaim for his policy of providing free breakfast and lunch in Minnesota's public schools.

Walz said that while Republicans banned books from schools, “we banned hunger from our schools.”

And then he fulfilled the duty of a loyal number two: he supported his boss.

“If you're a middle-class family or a family trying to move into the middle class, Kamala Harris will lower your taxes,” he said. “If you're hoping to buy a home, Kamala Harris will help you make it more affordable.”

And then, in truth Friday Night Lights Using a football metaphor, he called for action.

“We're down a field goal, but we're on offense and we have the ball,” he said, before praising Harris as a team leader. “We're charging down the field and boy, do we have the right team.”

“Joy” a key word of the evening

Oprah Winfrey urged voters to “choose joy.”

Former President Bill Clinton called Harris the “President of Joy.”

Walz said Harris always served “with energy, passion and joy.”

Speakers at the DNC mentioned the word “joy” about 35 times Wednesday night as they tried to portray a bright future with Walz and Harris in the White House and their ticket as the most logical one.

Clinton called Harris a “clear choice.”

Winfrey made the decision between Harris and Trump a choice between “optimism over cynicism,” “common sense over nonsense,” and “the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return to yesterday.”

Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, a Republican, said the Republican Party was “chaotic and crazy, and the only thing left to do is get rid of Trump.”

“Today, our party is behaving more like a cult. A cult that worships a criminal gangster,” he said. “Look, you don't have to agree with every policy position Kamala Harris takes. I don't, but you have to recognize her mindset as an accuser who knows right from wrong and good from evil.”

Election described as a “fight for our freedoms”

The theme of the evening was “A Fight for Our Freedoms.” Speakers addressed this theme in part on Wednesday night, frequently invoking the conservative concept “Project 2025” and what it would mean for issues like reproductive rights.

veteran SNL Actor Kenan Thompson even performed a skit poking fun at Project 2025. He brought the prop Project 2025 book and spoke to people across the country about how conservative policies would hurt them, earning boos and laughter from the crowd.

Part of the program also put the insurrection in the spotlight. Speakers included Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Committee on January 6, who recommended that the Justice Department impeach Trump for the attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob after a year-long investigation.

Duncan referred to the aftermath of the 2020 election in his remarks, pointing out that his path to the DNC podium began when Trump tried to overturn his election loss to President Joe Biden in Georgia.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke of the attack's threat to democracy, without mentioning Trump by name.

“Never before has a president of the United States so brazenly attacked the foundations of our democracy, so joyfully embraced political violence, and so willfully violated his oath of office,” she said.

“We must not forget who attacked democracy on January 6. It was him! But we must also not forget who saved democracy that day. It was us,” she said.

She said the lawmakers who returned to the Capitol that same evening showed that “American democracy has triumphed” and urged voters to now “reject autocracy” and “choose democracy” by electing Harris and Walz.

Parents of an Israeli-American hostage make emotional appeal

In one of the more emotional moments, the parents of an Israeli-American hostage moved many delegates to tears as they recounted 320 days of torment and urged a ceasefire to bring their son home.

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were greeted with huge cheers and chants of “bring her home” as they spoke on stage, fighting back tears. The 23-year-old was at a music festival in southern Israel on October 7 to celebrate his birthday.

“That was 320 days ago. Since then, we have been living on a different planet,” Goldberg said.

Polin said he and his wife met with Biden and Harris several times at the White House.

“You are both working tirelessly for a hostage rescue and a ceasefire that will bring our beloved children, mothers, fathers, spouses, grandparents and grandchildren home. And we will put an end to the despair in Gaza,” he said to applause.

DNC brings out top talent

Following the numerous cameo appearances on Tuesday evening, Wednesday evening saw performances by other big names, including music legend Stevie Wonder.

John Legend and Sheila E. performed a tribute to Prince, a Minnesota legend, in honor of the Governor of Minnesota.

Amanda Gorman, who rose to national prominence by reciting her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the 2021 inauguration of Biden and Harris, also read a new poem emphasizing unity at the DNC.

In an act that was previously unusual for musical performances, Wonder addressed the audience directly.

“This year I have prayed very fervently for peace to come to the nations of our world, but also to each of our hearts,” he said before the performance of his classic “Higher Ground.”

“Even though our hearts have been so beaten and broken that we have not been able to pray, I know it is important to act. Now is the time to understand where we stand and what it will take to win. The brokenhearted win. The disappointed win,” he said. “Now is the time.”

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