Congressman Walz, a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, endorsed Barack Obama after the Illinois senator was the favorite of First District DFL caucus goers. Several sources are reporting on Walz's reaction to Obama's acceptance speech.
The National Journal writes in Obama Makes His Case For Change:
The warm-up speakers who most energized the crowd were a series of "average Americans" who described exactly how they feel they've been failed by the Bush administration. America needs a president who puts "Barney Smith before SmithBarney," said Marion, Ind., plant worker Barney Smith to a roar of appreciative laughter. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said including work-a-day Americans was "brilliant."
In Minn. delegates welcome Obama nomination, MPR reports:
Minnesota Democratic Congressmen Tim Walz and Keith Ellison were just as effusive [as delegate Hussein Samatar], if somewhat more succinct.
First Ellison:
"I think he knocked it out of the park."
Then, Walz:
"Fantastic. Exactly what we needed."
Added bonus for Rochester readers: a picture of 18-year-old delegate Sam Hagedorn. and he blogged about the convention for his college paper. The DC Examiner talked to the American University freshman:
Sam Hagedorn's new classmates are experiencing their very first week of their freshman year at American University. But Hagedorn is missing out on the initiation. At age 18, the Rochester, MN native is a Democratic convention delegate -- and having the time of his life mingling with Democratic Party stars who have long been his heroes. Hagedorn had to navigate four levels of elections -- precinct, county, congressional district, and state -- to earn his delegate spot.
"It's a progressive slate," he told the Examiner. "They believe that all voices should be heard."
Hagedorn first got involved in politics by volunteering at age 16 for the U.S. House campaign of Tim Walz, who won the race and now serves in Congress. He said his political work is well worth missing the first week of school. "The opportunities to learn here at the convention are unmatched anywhere else in the world," he said.
In Obama inspires Minnesota delegation, the Duluth News Tribune reports:
Super-delegate and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz said Obama’s message of shifting the county’s economic policies to favor middle-income Americans will appeal to his southern Minnesota constituents.
“It’s an exciting time and feels like being a part of history in terms of government responding to the people,” Walz said from Invesco Field.
From PB editor Jay Furst's blog post about forthcoming news stories:
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama shook the Mile High City last night, ripping the verbal gloves off in his presidential battle against presumed Republican nominee John McCain and bolstering the message of hope that has fueled his unexpected rise and historic bid to be the nation’s first black president.
“I think he tackled the critics,” said U.S. Rep Tim Walz. “It was a rare event.”
As we write this post, John McCain has chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate. Thus, this Paul Demko Walz tidbit from the convention has a dated feel. Pam's House Blend posted one of Congressman Walz's quotes from the GLBT caucus meeting. The MinnPost's Doug Grow caught this quip after former Rep. Tim Penny showed up in Denver to tout McCain's presidential bid:
Rep. Tim Walz directed a nifty zinger at Penny when speaking to Minnesota's delegation to the convention Thursday morning.
"I used to say I was one of only two DFLers ever elected to Congress in the 1st District,'' Walz said. "What I saw earlier this week makes me think I'm the only Democrat to represent the ticket.''
The Huffington Post twittered about:
Powerful testimonials and message drills at Boot Camp with DNC Vets & Military Families Council bookended by Tim Walz & Wes Clark.
The Worthington Globe had earlier picked up Walz's work with the convention's rural caucus:
Rural on agenda
Democrats gathered for their national convention continue to hear a message their leaders say too often is overlooked: Rural America -- and its votes -- matter.
Delegate Andrew Falk of western Minnesota said Wednesday he was to attend a forum on rural issues with Minnesota's Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz. Falk said the topic is being discussed all week, not just on Monday when national Democratic Chairman Howard Dean talked of the importance of rural America.
"There is definitely a focus on rural issues," Falk said. "I think in many places around the country they may have felt left behind. That’s one of the focuses – to re-engage rural voters."
We'd missed the KEYC-TV report, Walz Raises $250,000, from May 27, which was confirmed by the committee's pre-primary report. We look at the Day filing here and the Davis filing here.
The filing for Greg Mikkelson, who is on the ballot for the Independence Party but did not seek the IP endorsement, has yet to appear online. In largely self-funded campaigns, Mikkelson has run as a Green (2002), Independence Party (2004) and Republican (2006) candidate. Representative Gil Gutknecht defeated Mikkelson in the 2006 Republican primary, only to be ousted from office by Walz.
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