Who’s Normal Today?

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz used the impact of a single word to help propel himself onto the Democratic convention stage as Kamala Harris’s pick for vice-presidential nominee. In late July, he labeled the Republican ticket as “weird,” a term they have struggled to shake off since. The DNC, on its third night, sought to project normalcy, contrasting the perceived weirdness.

The introduction of “weird” highlighted a central theme in modern American politics. Since Richard Nixon’s era, when he declared himself the champion of the “silent majority,” the normal/weird divide has often worked to Republicans’ advantage. Democrats were mocked as latte-drinking, chardonnay-sipping elites—shorthand for being out of touch. Think of John Kerry windsurfing or Barack Obama meticulously eating seven “lightly salted” almonds each night—these instances were branded as weird.

Walz’s use of “weird” started flipping this script, and the convention sought to solidify that change. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg detailed a chaotic dinner at home, emphasizing the typical struggles of parenting. Amy Klobuchar spoke of a comforting chicken-Parmesan dinner, symbolizing community support. Even Bill Clinton reminisced about Harris working at McDonald’s, calling back to his own fondness for the fast-food chain. The Latte Liberals were becoming the Casserole Liberals.

The normalcy narrative surrounded the VP nominee, a former high-school football coach affectionately dubbed a “dad in plaid” by Klobuchar. A former student described Walz as the kind of person who would help push a car out of a snowbank, a sentiment visually reinforced by the sight of his former team members marching on stage in their old jerseys. Even Gus Walz, Tim’s teenage son, weeping in the audience while mouthing, “That’s my dad,” added to this feel-good atmosphere.

Barack Obama set the tone for this hominess in his Tuesday night address. He spoke about his mother-in-law Marian Robinson and his grandmother Madelyn Dunham, highlighting their hardworking and resourceful nature. These women, despite their different backgrounds, shared a strong, common-sense outlook on life, embodying qualities that Obama associated with Democrats.

Obama’s speech recalled a Norman Rockwell-like America, where people valued honesty, integrity, kindness, and hard work. His depiction included simple pleasures—a card game, a good meal, and helping others. Obama was laying claim to “normal,” subtly suggesting the Democrats represented America’s extensive common ground, not the Republicans.

Van Jones, speaking on CNN, described this as a “muscular patriotism” seen in the Harris-Walz ticket and the convention. It wasn’t just about flags and chants, but about unifying values and a neighborly ethic. Winfrey echoed this sentiment, stating that in times of crisis, people don’t care about differences; they strive to help each other.

The emphasis on neighborliness and shared American values was undeniable. Gwen Walz emphasized the importance of loving your country, helping your neighbor, and fighting for what’s right. In his speech, Walz himself emphasized the word “neighbor” multiple times, walking out to John Mellencamp’s “Small Town.”

This narrative was not keen on acknowledging cultural and political divides. It aimed for a vision where different families and politics coexist under an American picket-fence normalcy. As Harris’s stepson, Cole Emhoff, said, “We might not look like other families in the White House, but we are ready to represent all families in America.” Obama, with his message of hope, was a fitting spokesperson for this, even if his presidency showed how challenging it could be for Americans to see themselves simply as neighbors.

Normalcy seems to be an effective strategy for now, especially for a presidential candidate who represents a significant change from previous presidents, save for Obama. The tear-stained faces in the convention crowd indicate this approach is resonating emotionally with people.

However, it’s also unsettling Donald Trump, who is attempting to reclaim lost rhetorical ground. “I think we’re extremely normal people,” he told a crowd this week. “We’re like you. We’re exactly like you.”

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