Hot Dish 8.23.24

By Rochelle Olson

CHICAGO!

Welcome to the privilege and pride of reading this Friday newsletter. You must be worthy. The opener was a play on the convention speech of the historic Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. She, like the 100-plus speakers over four nights warned of former President Donald Trump being a wannabe autocrat who would have no guardrails on his power in a second term.

Expect news Friday from independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Will he drop out and endorse Trump?

Writing this newsletter from my utilitarian but clean and safe rental pad at North Michigan Ave near McCormick Place. The buzz all day in Chicago Thursday was about Beyoncé and maybe Taylor Swift, but also possibly Sen. Mitt Romney or W. There were *confirmed* sightings of Beyoncé at the United Center. Someone shared on social media that Kansas City Chiefs’ player Travis Kelce had inquired of the DNC about attending, meaning that Swift would be performing. None of the above. But maybe it’s telling that on the night the first woman of color was nominated for president by a major party, the chatter of the day was about whether there would be a special surprise guest.

Josie Albertson-Grove was there Thursday when Gov. Tim Walz, or as he’s known now, Coach Walz, appeared at the Minnesota delegation’s daily breakfast. She tracked down delegates around town who were thrilled with the ticket. Some uncommitted delegates, however, were not pleased and left the United Center for a protest about their desire for a ceasefire in Gaza and and arms embargo on Israel.

Klobuchar said the party’s new chant, “We’re not going back,” and its theme of “freedom” show a new direction for Democrats.

My favorite convention moment came Tuesday night with Lil Jon singing “Turn Down For What” during Georgia’s rollcall moment.

My favorite convention speech: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. I’ve said it before in this newsletter that his book “The Other Wes Moore” remains a favorite. He retold the Baltimore bridge collapse story with emotion. Another amusing moment came when Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel strode onto the stage. She only had a couple minutes but she landed a line. “By the way, I got a message for the Republicans and the justices of the United States Supreme Court,” Nessel said. “You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand.” And aren’t we all hitting the googling to figure out Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s pink lipstick shade.

GUS GUS: We rarely see Gus Walz in Minnesota because he’s a 17-year-old heading into his senior year of high school (public school) and a known aficionado of the volleyball courts at St. Paul’s Oxford/Jimmy Lee Rec Center. He became a social media sensation for standing up, applauding, crying and mouthing, “That’s my dad.” What prompted the outpouring from Gus? His dad, in the biggest moment of his professional life took a moment to say to his kids and wife, “Hope, Gus and Gwen, you are my entire world. And I love you.” Gus went viral. There was praise. There was bullying (Ann Coulter). Former First Lady Michelle Obama wrote on X wrote “thankful for you showing us all what real love looks like, Gus.” Read her full post in which she urges embracing vulnerability.

Minnesota State Rep. Elliott Engen, R-White Bear Township, also took to X. “I don’t care what your politics. This is a heartfelt moment worthy of praise.”

Jill Burcum of the Star Tribune’s editorial board (separate from the news side of things) also weighed in.

BACKSTAGE BUZZ: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who introduced Walz on Wednesday night, talked about the convergence backstage as she prepared to go on. There was John Legend and his dancers who were silently rehearsing their moves until the crowd cheered a speaker then Legend would pipe up and they’d be a little louder for a moment. (Klobuchar wasn’t starstruck as she knows Legend and has been to his home, she said.)

Klobuchar said some were amused that at an event with four nights of speakers, she and fellow 2020 rival presidential candidate Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were nearly back to back onstage. Klobuchar said she understood her role — introducing Walz as the dad in plaid — while Buttigieg got to give a “soaring speech” about his life and family.

Klobuchar and Mayor Pete were sometimes spicy rivals, but they’re good pals now, she said.

Everyone’s chilling backstage waiting for their cues and then “Oprah comes in,” the senator said. “She gives me a hug and I said immediately, ‘Pete’s here too.” So there was Legend, Klobuchar, Buttigieg and their spouses and the Mankato West football team from almost 30 years ago in their jerseys. Oprah did indeed talk to the former Walz players, Klobuchar said.

I’ve gotten no word on what the players discussed with Oprah, but colleague Jp Lawrence talked to those players about their moment in the spotlight for a not-to-be-missed story. The crew in the suite behind my press seat jumped out and sang the entire school fight song — enthusiastically.

I was at the rollicking Milwaukee rally when they did the rollcall at United Center in Chicago, but the state-by-state musical intros were my favorite part. The multimillion-dollar sound system in these giant areas can be fantastic. The crowds in both Milwaukee and Chicago went nuts when Lil Jon came out.

Walz keeps using John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” as his walk-on song, but on Wednesday night he had Neil Young’s “Keep on Rocking in the Free World” for his concluding song. Felt a little dystopian to me, but OK.

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE: I’m going to keep saying it until I drop. Leaving the last piece of food and a long goodbye are not uniquely Minnesotan. We are not a unique breed of human. In other things that aren’t just Minnesotan: Two-time Pulitzer winner for criticism, Wesley Morris of the NY Times says “Interesting” has long lost any meaningful association with enthusiasm, fascination or importance.

THE KID: This kid was walking around the concourse with double the charisma of half of the town combined. He was on his own, soft drink in hand, wearing flipflops and everybody knew who he was and wanted a picture. He smiled, stopped for interviews and chatted with them all. The young “content creator” also had an exchange with MyPillow guy Mike Lindell.

MINNESOTA MERCH: I’m not going to tell you to buy campaign stuff, but this one is unique because it mashes up politics and sports and it’s created by local treasure Jimmy Lonetti of D&J Glove Repair in Minneapolis. Go ahead and re-read the story Rachel Hutton published about Lonetti’s shop last month.

WITHER RAHM?: Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, an aide-de-camp to multiple presidents, was nowhere to be seen during the whirlwind of events of the DNC in the Windy City where he could have been a popular man about the town. Alas, we found him. Star Tribune Outdoors editor Pam Louwagie, vigorously vacationing in the remote Shiretoko National Park peninsula in Hokkaido, Japan, encountered Emanuel at a tiny restaurant with fewer than a dozen tables in the village of Utoro. According to Louwagie, traveling with three friends, one of them asked Emanuel why he wasn’t at the convention.

Emanuel, now the U.S. ambassador to Japan, told Louwagie and her posse that the federal Hatch Act prohibits political activities by federal employees so he stayed away. Instead, the ambassador got on his bike for a rigorous ride in the remote area. (He told Louwagie that he later learned he could have applied for a Hatch Act waiver for the convention but it was too late.)

In a second encounter, Louwagie’s group saw Emanuel at the lookout point on top of Shiretoko Pass, a place few international tourists travel. Her group had rented a car. Emanuel had climbed the 2,500 feet on his bike. “What the ---- are YOU doing here?” Emanuel asked, inserting his long-time favorite curse word.

The ambassador offered restaurant recommendations, a quick history lesson and informed the Minnesotans that he had texted Walz after their initial encounter. No word on whether Walz saw the text. Louwagie had more face-time with Emanuel than our crew of four did with Walz in Chicago. This begs the question: Do Walz and Emanuel text often?

WHERE’S WALZ:

Now that the DNC is over, speculation turns to whether Coach Walz can or will attend the State Fair. His new boss may want him camping out in Philly, Detroit or Milwaukee for the next few months. Hard to imagine a Minnesota governor totally bypassing the fair but this has been one helluva summer. Think back to Memorial Day, is this what you thought the national Democratic ticket would be?

Reporter Elliott Hughes looked at national candidates who went to the fair in search of votes.

READING LIST

Keep us posted at hotdish@startribune.com.