Governor Tim Walz's oft-repeated story about a pivotal moment at a 2004 George W. Bush rally that supposedly inspired his political career is now being scrutinized for accuracy.

Walz has claimed that the incident, in which he and two teenagers were allegedly denied entry due to a John Kerry sticker, was the catalyst for his decision to run for office. however, public records and sources reveal significant discrepancies in his account, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The VP hopeful's narrative of the event, which has become central to his political origin story, has been shown to contain major falsehoods.

Walz's story begins at a 2004 rally for then-President George W. Bush, where he says he was turned away because of his support for Democratic candidate John Kerry.

According to Walz, the denial occurred after campaign staff noticed a John Kerry sticker on his car. Walz has consistently maintained that he and two students were subjected to what was described as a "KGB-style interrogation" and subsequently denied entry to the rally.

Students Denied Entry, But Not in the Way Walz’s Account Suggests

In reality, Walz was allowed into the rally, while the two teenagers, Matt Klaber and Nick Burkhart, were denied entry. Contrary to Walz's claim, Klaber and Burkhart were not his students; Klaber was a member of the Gustavus College Democrats, and Burkhart attended Mankato East High School. Walz’s narrative has positioned the incident as a key decision-making moment that pushed him to run for office, but this version of events does not align with the facts.

Walz's political activity prior to the rally further undermines his account. Just days before the Aug. 4, 2004, rally, Walz had joined an anti-Bush protest and even held a sign supporting Kerry at another event. The sign, which read "Enduring Freedom Veterans for Kerry," misleadingly implied that Walz had combat service in Afghanistan, which he did not.

Details of The Rally Questioned

According to the Bush campaign, the two teenagers were initially denied tickets due to unfavorable comments they had made.

Following media coverage, the campaign relented and offered them tickets, but the rally staff ultimately barred their entry, citing security concerns. Walz, meanwhile, claimed that his support for Bush was questioned at the rally, but he was admitted while the teenagers were not.

Walz has presented this story as the defining moment that led him to pursue a political career. He has said that the incident made him realize the importance of standing up for his beliefs, particularly in the face of what he described as unjust treatment.

However, evidence suggests that Walz was already politically active before this event and had participated in protests that were critical of Bush.

Inaccuracies Persist Despite Scrutiny

The inconsistencies in Walz's account are further highlighted by the fact that Klaber and Burkhart were not his students, as he has implied.

Klaber’s involvement in the Gustavus College Democrats and Burkhart's attendance at Mankato East High School, rather than Mankato West Senior High School, where Walz taught, are key details that contradict Walz's narrative.

Klaber’s parents had asked Walz to chaperone their son at the rally due to concerns about potential issues. Despite this, Walz has framed the incident as a spontaneous moment of injustice that opened his eyes to the need for political change. Yet, his previous participation in protests and his visible support for Kerry at other events indicate that his political journey began well before the rally.

Walz's Version of Events Faces Further Questions

Walz’s story of the Bush rally has played a significant role in shaping his political identity. He has repeatedly referenced the event in campaign speeches and public statements, portraying it as the moment that inspired him to enter politics. However, the discrepancies between his account and the available evidence raise serious questions about the authenticity of his narrative.

Chris Faulkner, a former Bush campaign staffer, has been critical of Walz's account, stating that Walz "was looking for an origin story, and he made one up." Faulkner also pointed out that Walz was politically involved before the rally, participating in protests and making his opposition to Bush clear. "It’s clear he was politically involved before that moment," Faulkner said. "It’s all bulls***."

Walz’s Political Future at Stake

As scrutiny over Walz’s account of the Bush rally continues, questions about his credibility are likely to persist. The discrepancies in his story, combined with his previous political activism, suggest that the rally may not have been the defining moment he has claimed it to be. Instead, it appears that Walz may have used the incident to craft a compelling narrative for his political career.

In conclusion, Governor Tim Walz’s account of the 2004 Bush rally, which he has long cited as the inspiration for his political career, is riddled with inaccuracies. While Walz has portrayed the event as a turning point in his life, evidence suggests that he was already politically active before the rally. The two teenagers involved were not his students, and Walz was not denied entry as he has claimed. These discrepancies raise serious questions about the authenticity of Walz’s political origin story and his credibility as a leader.