Tim Walz capped his abrupt rise from political obscurity to global prominence as he accepted the Democrats’ vice presidential nomination with a vow to "turn the page" on Donald Trump.
The Minnesota governor was barely known outside his state just a fortnight ago, when he was chosen as running mate by Kamala Harris, herself a surprise presidential candidate following Joe Biden’s dramatic exit.
Addressing the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, he was supported by A-list performers Stevie Wonder and John Legend, while an equally stellar cast of warm-up speakers included Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey.
He was joined on stage by his wife and two children. The exuberance of 17-year-old son Gus Walz, who yelled “that’s my dad” and burst into tears, went viral on social media and underlined the former high school teacher’s everyman appeal.
"We're all here tonight for one beautiful, simple, reason: We love this country," Mr Walz, 60, said. "Thank you for bringing the joy to this fight," he said, adding: “We’ll turn the page on Trump.”
The VP nominee leant on his experience in coaching a chronically underperforming American football school team to winning their league, as he gave a “pep talk” to the cheering party faithful.
“Let me finish with this, team,” he said. “It’s the fourth quarter. We’re down a field goal. But we’re on offense and we’ve got the ball.”
He said Democrats have to do the “blocking and tackling”, making phone calls and knocking on doors every day until the election on November 5. “There will be time to sleep when you’re dead.”
The candidate also touched on his and wife Gwen’s struggles with fertility treatment, prompting Gus to start crying in the front row, as he went hard after Trump and the Republican’s own running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.
Mr Walz said that America should be a nation where children do not go hungry, healthcare and housing are human rights, “and the government stays the hell out of your bedroom”, referring to the Republicans’ offensive on abortion rights and same-sex marriage.
As he wrapped up his speech to wild applause, his walk-off song Rockin' In The Free World played - Neil Young having signed off on its use after suing Mr Trump for using the song at campaign rallies without permission.
Aged 78, Bill Clinton noted that he was younger than Trump by two months, despite stepping down from the presidency 23 years ago, and assailed the Republican’s self-regard.
“Next time you hear him, don’t count the lies. Count the I’s,” Mr Clinton said in addressing his 12th Democratic convention.
"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'. When Kamala Harris is president, every day will begin with you, you, you.Ms Winfrey described herself as an independent voter as she put in a surprise appearance at the convention. The entertainment star said: “I’m calling on all you independents and all you undecided… Decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024.
"Kamala Harris, for the people. And the other guy who has proved, even more than the first go-around, that he's about me, myself and I."
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi also thanked Mr Biden and said "Vice President Harris is ready to take us to new heights".
Recalling the deadly riot on Capitol Hill by a mob of Trump supporters at the start of 2021, she said: "The parable of January 6 reminds us that our democracy is only as strong as the courage and commitment of those entrusted with its care."
Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg took shots at Senator Vance, saying his selection showed that Trump was "doubling down on negativity and grievance" in a campaign "summed up in one word: darkness".
Speaker after speaker argued their party wants to defend freedoms - especially abortion access and voting rights - while Republicans want to take them away.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries likened Mr Trump to "an old boyfriend who you broke up with, but he just won't go away".
"He has spent the last four years spinning around the block, trying to get back into a relationship with the American people," the New York Democrat said. "Bro, we broke up with you for a reason."
Stevie Wonder implored the crowd to "choose courage over complacency" and vote before performing Higher Ground, while other celebrities on stage included actress Mindy Kaling and poet Amanda Gorman.
Mr Trump bashed the convention as a "charade" and simmered over the many attacks against him in Chicago, complaining that his predecessor Barack Obama had been "very nasty" in accusing him of “whinging”.
But while united against Trump, the Chicago convention has also been dogged by divisions about the war in Gaza, with protesters attacking the Biden-Harris administration over its support for Israel.
Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, the parents of 23-year-old American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, received a standing ovation when they took the stage.
Outside the United Center, some pro-Palestinian protesters began a sit-in to demand a speaking slot before Vice President Harris closes the event on Thursday night.
