READY TO PLAY: Kamala Harris steps up to the plate tonight at the Democratic National Convention to accept the nomination for president. Last night, it was "Coach" Tim Walz’s night. The Minnesota governor gave a speech reflecting his everyman’s sensibilities and showing emotion and the kind of spirit you’d expect from a coach. We were on the floor at the United Center with the Illinois delegation, which joined in waving "COACH" signs. Pic! Homepage headline: Watch out, Trump: Walz shows he’s not just Minnesota nice, by POLITICO’s Elena Schneider and Lauren Egan In the wings: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson watched from a United Center suite. Joining him were fellow mayors Eric Adams of New York and Andre Dickens of Atlanta. The three mayors were together after sitting down with POLITICO earlier in the day to talk about big-city issues like crime, protests, migrants and protests. Watch the full video here (starting at an hour). Earlier in the day, Johnson spoke to Illinois Democrats at their delegates breakfast meeting, telling the story of how he got his start in government and politics: It was thanks to Illinois Senate Leader Don Harmon, who gave Johnson a job, he said. And when Johnson wavered about whether to pursue a career in teaching or government, Harmon gave him wise advice: Do both. Now Johnson smiles, seeing Walz running as vice president of the United States. “We’re going to send a social studies teacher to the White House,” the mayor said. BATTER UP: About 200 Democrats wrote checks to the Harris campaign for a chance to take a couple swings on Wrigley Field on Wednesday. Most of the batting efforts went “badly,” West Wing Playbook was told — except for second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who rocked a sharp line drive (just foul) down the third base line on the first pitch he saw, according to our report. Emhoff’s comms director Liza Acevedo posted the video. LEGEND-ARY: John Legend performed on stage with Sheila E. at the Democratic convention on Wednesday, but a lot of folks had seen him the night before performing at Gov. JB Pritzker’s and first lady MK Pritzker’s bash at the Salt Shed. Spotted: Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, Nevada Congressman Steven Horsford, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, development exec Dennis Cheng, political strategist Christine Pelosi, investor and philanthropist Alex Soros, former Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin, filmmaker JJ Abrams, actress Sophia Bush, actor Don Cheadle, actress Marisa Tomei, political adviser Jim Messina and journalist Alexandra Pelosi. WEDNESDAY’S SPEAKERS Oprah brings United Center to its feet, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris. Sun-Times has the full text here. A slower, wizened Clinton sinks his fangs into Trump, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago Bill Clinton’s ’96 United Center speech still has some relevance, but does he? By the Tribune’s Rick Pearson, Olivia Stevens and Molly Morrow ‘She’s going to kick his butt’: Duckworth talks Harris debating Trump, via POLITICO MORE HEADLINES Q&A with 'Young Sheldon' at DNC about why young people should vote, by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet Susana Mendoza and her ‘I love Chicago’ T-shirts, by WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel South suburban school board member lone Illinois delegate not to back Harris nomination, by the Tribune’s Olivia Olander Fox News anchor Bret Baier talks about his time in Rockford, reporting and elections, by the Rockford Register Star’s Tilly Robinson Parents of Hamas hostage with Chicago roots speak at DNC, by the Sun-Times’ Kade Heather Climate events outside the DNC campus highlight progress, call for action, by the Tribune’s Nara Schoenberg DNC celebrity tracker, by the Block Club's Leen Yassine PROTEST ZONE Uncommitted delegates, ‘Squad’ members sit-in at DNC to demand a Palestinian American get a speaking slot: “Three dozen uncommitted pro-Palestinian delegates held a sit-in inside the security perimeter, just feet from the United Center doors,” by the Tribune’s Sylvan Lebrun, Sarah Freishtat and Jake Sheridan. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez shows her support, via X. No incidents in march Wednesday that draws thousands, via the Sun-Times Arrested protesters must stay away from Israeli Consulate through Sunday, judge says, by the Block Club’s Alex V. Hernandez If you are Alex Soros, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com
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