A Different Kind of Manhood
This week in Chicago, the portrayal of manhood was different from the Republican convention last month. Walz used a football metaphor to talk about the race and spoke emotionally about his family. His son, Gus, teared up in the audience, saying, “That’s my dad.”
Contrast with the Republican Convention
Last month in Milwaukee, Donald Trump walked out to James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” Hulk Hogan ripped off a muscle shirt, and UFC President Dana White talked about the candidates as fighters. The RNC focused on physical strength and masculine prowess.
Embracing Empathy and Emotion
In Chicago, Josh Zurawski and his wife Amanda shared their story of losing a pregnancy and struggling to access abortion. Ashley Biden introduced her father, President Joe Biden, as the “OG girl dad.” Walz showed a video of his children giving him bunny ears, keeping him humble. Doug Emhoff’s son, Cole, narrated a video about his father leaving his law practice to support Kamala Harris.
Men Standing with Women
The men on stage this week talked about issues like abortion and caregiving, traditionally seen as women’s issues. The DNC sent a message that when men stand with women, they can make history together. If Harris is elected, Doug Emhoff would be the first first gentleman.
Fertility Treatments and Family
Walz spoke about the fertility treatments he and his wife, Gwen, used. “If you’ve never experienced the hell that is infertility, I guarantee you know someone who has,” he told the crowd.
A Seismic Shift
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Democratic men in Chicago show a “seismic shift” in attitudes. Today’s fathers understand that raising kids is a 50-50 proposition. They help with childcare, groceries, and more.
Economic Impacts
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand noted that when men focus on “women’s issues,” it benefits families economically. Affordable daycare, universal pre-K, and national paid leave help families thrive. Democrats believe in equality, and men in the party support lifting up female leaders like Kamala Harris.
Abortion and Reproductive Rights
The biggest difference between Democrats and Republicans at their conventions was on abortion and reproductive rights. Harris aims to restore these rights, while Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have avoided the topic or supported strict bans.
Importance of Men Speaking Up
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker emphasized the importance of men talking about family challenges, including abortion. Ryan Hamilton, a father from Texas, shared his experience with his wife’s miscarriage and the difficulty finding treatment due to strict abortion laws. He praised Walz for normalizing conversations about reproductive health.
Standing Up for Women
Hamilton said, “Being a man is standing up for the women you love and being an example for your daughter.”
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FAQ’s
What did Tim Walz talk about at the convention?
Tim Walz discussed football, fatherhood, and fertility at the convention, emphasizing empathy and emotion.
Who originally published the article about Tim Walz’s speech?
The article was originally published by Amanda Becker for The 19th.
What is Tim Walz’s background before becoming governor?
Tim Walz was an admired high school football coach who also advised a nascent gay-straight alliance.
How does Tim Walz present his image in public?
Tim Walz wears outdoorsy flannel shirts and sews his own buttons onto them. He also made menstrual products available at public schools.
How did Tim Walz’s supporters react to him being called “tampon Tim”?
His supporters quickly reclaimed the moniker “tampon Tim” as a badge of honor.
What was the main difference between the portrayal of manhood at the Democratic and Republican conventions?
The Democratic convention featured men embracing empathy and emotion, while the Republican convention emphasized physical strength and masculine prowess.
Who introduced President Joe Biden at the Democratic convention?
Ashley Biden introduced her father, President Joe Biden, as the “OG girl dad.”
What personal story did Josh Zurawski share at the Democratic convention?
Josh Zurawski shared a personal story about losing a pregnancy and not being able to easily access abortion.
What message did the DNC’s programming aim to send?
The DNC’s programming aimed to send the message that when men stand with women, they can make history alongside them.
What did Tim Walz say about infertility during his speech?
Tim Walz spoke about the fertility treatments he and his wife turned to, stating, “If you’ve never experienced the hell that is infertility, I guarantee you know someone who has.”
What shift in attitudes did New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlight?
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted a “seismic shift in people’s attitudes” towards men taking responsibility at home and supporting women’s issues.
What economic impacts did New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand mention regarding men focusing on women’s issues?
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand mentioned that affordable day care, universal pre-K, and national paid leave have tangible economic impacts on families, including men.
What is Kamala Harris centering her campaign on?
Kamala Harris is centering her campaign on restoring reproductive rights in the first presidential election since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
What stance has Donald Trump taken on the issue of abortion?
Donald Trump has tried to avoid talking about abortion except to say he thinks the issue should be left up to the states.
What challenges did Ryan Hamilton face regarding his wife’s miscarriage?
Ryan Hamilton and his wife struggled to find a hospital that would treat her given Texas’s strict abortion ban after she suffered a miscarriage during the 13th week of her second pregnancy.
How did Ryan Hamilton feel about men talking about abortion and reproductive health issues?
Ryan Hamilton felt it was important to normalize conversations about abortion and reproductive health issues, stating that being a man involves standing up for the women you love and being an example for your daughter.
How can you check your voter registration status or get more information about registering to vote?
You can check your voter registration status or get more information about registering to vote by texting 19thnews to 26797.
