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By Kaitlin Lewis
Night Reporter
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Minnesota Governor and Democratic nominee for Vice President Tim Walz suddenly stopped his speech in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Wednesday after noticing a crowd member was in need of help due to the heat.
Walz, who was announced as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate on Tuesday, paused his speech after a crowd member could be heard yelling for help. The governor stopped talking and pointed toward the situation, saying, "Can we get somebody to help? Somebody's hot."
"You okay?" Walz asked looking toward the crowd. "Drink some water folks, it is hot out."
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The governor continued his speech after making sure from the podium that the person received help. He also motioned for someone to bring the person water.
"Take care of one another...this is why we gather," Walz continued.
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According to the National Weather Service, the high near Eau Claire on Wednesday was 78 degrees. The rally was held outside at the Eau Claire Event District.
Newsweek reached out to Harris and Walz's campaign via email for comment.
The Context
Wednesday's stop in Wisconsin is part of Harris and Walz's campaign blitz to seven key battleground states in the coming days. The pair kicked off their campaign series in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, a few hours after they were formally nominated by the Democratic National Convention.
The event at Temple University drew thousands of supporters, and Walz told the fired-up crowd that he was ready to fight until election day.
"We got 91 days," the governor said. "My god, that's easy. We'll sleep when we're dead."
The next stop on Harris and Walz's list is Detroit, Michigan, later in the day Wednesday, where United Auto Works Union President Shawn Fain is expected to speak.
What We Know
Former President Donald Trump's running mate, Senator JD Vane of Ohio, also made a stop in Wisconsin on Wednesday after campaigning at an event in Michigan earlier in the day. Vance's trip to Eau Claire did not involve a rally, but he did give remarks from inside an industrial garage while standing next to a handful of blue-collar workers.
The two campaigns exchanged shots at one another throughout the day Wednesday. While speaking in the morning at the Shelby Township Police Department in Michigan, Vance bashed Harris' policies on crime and immigration, saying, "I'm angry right now about what Kamala Harris has done about the southern border. If that doesn't bother you, you don't have a pulse."
Walz, on the other hand, told supporters in Wisconsin that Vance's running mate and the former president "sees the world differently than we see it," playing on his background as a Midwest teacher who taught and coached football at a public school in Minnesota before running for Congress in 2006.
Walz added that Trump "weakens our country to strengthen his own hands,"
"He mocks our laws. He sows chaos and division amongst the people, and that's to say nothing of the job he did as president," the governor added.
Views
Videos of Walz stopping his speech on Wednesday circulated on social media, and many users praised the governor for showing kindness.
"Tim Walz just paused the WI rally to ensure a rallygoer directly in front of him was given aid and water in the searing heat," one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "It's been a few min, and he is standing there just patiently waiting and explaining to the crowd. No drama, no awkwardness. Just kindness. This guy is the real deal."
Other users compared it to how Trump has handled heat-related illnesses for supporters at his rallies. At one event in Phoenix, Arizona, in early June, local emergency services said that 11 people were taken to the hospital due to "reports of heat exhaustion." During another event later that same month in in Las Vegas, Nevada, where temperatures topped 100 degrees, Trump's campaign provided thousands of water bottles to attendees and set up tents to offer shade. Extra medics were also hired for the event.
"Compassion and giving a damn about other people is how you do it. Wouldn't see this from Trump," a user on X wrote in response to a video of Walz's rally posted by the account Acyn.
"I really like this guy and his compassion, he's everything MAGA wishes Vance could be," added model Jules Morgan. "Take care of your neighbors."
What's Next?
Harris and Walz are scheduled to speak at the Detroit Metro Airport at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday. Several state Democrats are also expected to speak, such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II.
Update 08/7/24, 5:00 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background.
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