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Walz attends college football game before final prep for Tuesday's debate

publish time

29/09/2024

publish time

29/09/2024

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This combination of photos shows Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov Tim Walz, (left), at the DNC on Aug 21, in Chicago, and Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, on Sept 25, in Traverse City, Mich. (AP)

ANN ARBOR, Mich, Sept 29, (AP): Tim Walz’s dual role as Minnesota’s governor and Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate was on full display Saturday as he attended a tailgate with Michigan football fans before going on the field to meet with Minnesota’s coach. Walz visited Ann Arbor to watch the University of Michigan University of Minnesota teams play in what is expected to be his final major campaign appearance before Tuesday's vice presidential debate.

Earlier in the day, Walz was greeted at the airport by University of Michigan students, who had arrived in a bus donning a banner that read "Put Me In, Coach!” Michigan won the game against Walz's homestate school. Walz has leaned into his background as a football coach and teacher while on the campaign trail as the Democrats look to drum up enthusiasm among young voters, with Walz having made multiple recent visits to university campuses.

The visit comes before the debate on Tuesday between Walz and Donald Trump’s running mate, Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. After Saturday’s game, Walz will travel to northern Michigan for final debate prep before the faceoff, according to a person familiar with his plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private preparations.

Harris, meanwhile, held a fundraiser in San Francisco on Saturday, telling a crowd full of raucous supporters that "so much is on the line in this election,” as she talked about abortion bans in states and the US Supreme Court's decision that granted broad immunity to presidents. "I am convinced,” she said. "The American people are convinced that it is time to turn the page.”

She said the American people were ready for "leadership that is optimistic,” and that’s why her supporters, including Republicans like Dick Cheney "are supporting our campaign because they want an American president who works for all the American people." Trump held a rally Saturday in Wisconsin, and attended a college football game, too - the prime-time matchup between Georgia and Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

The Harris campaign launched a new ad to air during the game that needles Trump on the prospect of a second presidential debate. Harris has said she would; Trump has ruled it out. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been playing the role of Vance in Walz’s debate prep sessions, which so far have taken place at a downtown Minneapolis hotel, according to another person who also spoke on condition of anonymity.