Tim Walz Returns to School Where He Used to Coach Football, But Doesn’t Get Warm Welcome Democrats May Expect
In a recent campaign event, Governor Tim Walz returned to Mankato West High School—his alma mater where he taught and coached football—during a rivalry game against Mankato East. However, his return was met with a mixed reception, largely characterized by protests rather than enthusiastic support. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune noted his appearance was part of a series of campaign stops in key states, focusing on common themes like high school football and hunting.
Walz attempted to rally the local football team by encouraging them to have fun and enjoy the game, reminiscing about the successful 1999 season when he was an assistant coach. Despite this nostalgic appeal, the atmosphere was notably subdued. While some alumni expressed pleasure at his return, the overall crowd reaction was lukewarm, with notable protests outside the venue related to U.S. policies on Palestine.
Additionally, the event featured no visible political signage due to a school district directive, reflecting a restrained political presence. Despite the historical significance of Walz’s connection to the high school, it appears his political endeavors in this context failed to generate substantial enthusiasm from the community. The event highlighted a dissonance between his campaign messaging and local sentiments, suggesting a growing disconnect as he positions himself for higher political office within a contentious political landscape.
If Tim Walz was hoping for a triumphal return to the high school where he used to teach and coach football back in the day, he got a much more muted response than he or the Harris-Walz campaign were likely hoping for.
In what ended up being a quiet return to Mankato West High School for their rivalry game against Mankato East, the biggest stir you saw was from voices of protest, either from the left or from the right.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, “Walz’s stop in Mankato is one of a series of media stops in the battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where the governor is talking high school football and hunting.”
Right. Anyone old enough to remember when former President George H.W. Bush tried to convince Americans that his favorite food was pork rinds, or that time when Democratic nominee John Kerry went on a duck hunt? Totally apropos of nothing, just thought I’d bring those up.
“This is the best of America,” Walz told reporters ahead of the game. He also had some deep advice for his team: “Don’t forget to have fun, enjoy.”
Gov. Tim Walz, vice presidential candidate, speaks to players at Mankato West High School, where he was once a geography teacher and assistant football coach. Walz is in town for the annual cross city rivalry game and as part of campaigning. pic.twitter.com/JF3IVHe0QV
— J.p. Lawrence (@JpLawrence3) October 11, 2024
“A quarter-century ago, Walz was the assistant defensive football coach for the 1999 Mankato West football team that won the state championship. That year’s crosstown rivalry game was a spark for Mankato West that season, said John Considine, a Mankato West alumnus and right tackle on that 1999 Class 4A championship team,” the Star-Tribune reported.
“It’s good to have him back,” Considine said in a pull-quote from the paper of record in Minnesota.
That’s all they could muster. And, let me tell you, the scenes from the stands didn’t look any less lukewarm than Considine’s sentiment at having “Coach” Walz back.
Gov. Tim Walz, vice presidential candidate, speaks to players at Mankato West High School, where he was once a geography teacher and assistant football coach. Walz is in town for the annual cross city rivalry game and as part of campaigning. pic.twitter.com/JF3IVHe0QV
— J.p. Lawrence (@JpLawrence3) October 11, 2024
Walz greets fans as players take the field in Mankato for the city’s annual Jug Game rivalry match. pic.twitter.com/3kY71703Wi
— J.p. Lawrence (@JpLawrence3) October 11, 2024
Gov. Tim Walz politicking, posing for photos, shaking hands, as part of a campaign stop at the Mankato East-West football game. pic.twitter.com/hE7MnCLEhP
— J.p. Lawrence (@JpLawrence3) October 12, 2024
Walz-o-mania sweeps the nation! He can’t even get more than a polite reception in freaking Minnesota, where the guy has been governor since 2019. Maybe they’re all stunned because his ascension in American politics has been so sudden and unexpected.
Or maybe it’s because those with actual passion about Walz were the ones protesting his visit:
Protesters against US policy regarding Palestine outside the Mankato East-West football game attended by Gov. Tim Walz. pic.twitter.com/a23kHtgPY4
— J.p. Lawrence (@JpLawrence3) October 12, 2024
Heck, it’s not even like the pro-Hamasers can get too much into it. And while the Star-Tribune noted that “former GOP state Rep. Jeremy Munson urged people to show up and boo Walz” on social media, this was the most conservative response to Walz we saw at the game.
Tim Walz was in attendance of the Mankato West vs East High School Football Game tonight.
(He taught at Mankato West)
Number 23 had a message for Walz. 😂 pic.twitter.com/krlxP2jVfz
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) October 12, 2024
Now, to be fair, the Star-Tribune noted that the rivalry game was held at a neutral site and “[t]here were no political signs visible in the stands, following an edict earlier by the school district against such displays.”
That being said, I think everyone pretty much caught on to what Yvonne Simon, head of the Blue Earth County GOP, where Mankato is located, pointed out: “They’re getting desperate to get the word out,” she said, noting that the whole “coach” brand simply isn’t taking off.
Oh well. Maybe John Kerry can private jet in to do a bit of duck hunting to really drive home the point?
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