John: The Minnesota state fair draws more daily visitors than any other state fair in the nation. Over the years, there has developed a long tradition of politics being on display. It's where teddy Roosevelt uttered the famous phrase "Speak softly and carry a big stick." This year, politics has again taken center stage. Minnesota governor Tim Walz took time off the vice presidential campaign trail yesterday to visit. And as twin cities pbs reporter Mary lahammer reports, he has been top of mind for fairgoers. Mary: The buzz at the booth were Democrats gather is decidedly different this year. Cooks the Orange. I want to degree in but I will just wait until I get that one, too. >> Why do you like it? >> It is the anti- Maga hat. >> Seeing a local elevated to national ticket has changed things for folks in the democratic labor party. It is the state affiliate of the national democratic party. >> We are super excited about the ticket and we got to stop by and show our support and make sure the right people get elected. >> With Tim Walz, I'm sad because we will lose him but he is the kind of guy that you just want to endorse and be behind because he is a father figure. He is a teacher. >> Here at the booth at the Minnesota state fair, they sold more merchandise in the first few days and they have ever done to or in an entire run of the fair. >> People are excited and people are excited. Yes, Democrats are excited but we actually -- I have been here a number of times. We had Republicans, independents, people that don't want to go back. Mary: Senator klobuchar says it was surreal to stand backstage with Oprah, John legend, and a football team before introducing him at the convention. >> In Minnesota, we love a dad implied. >> How many times have you been asked what is Tim Walz really like? >> A few times. One of the funnier things about our modern politics is I think all these people across the country now seem to know him personally. They think he is like their favorite uncle or something. Mary: The Republican party booth also has numerous poking fun at vice president Harris and the never Walz booth has updated images for the vp run, mocking his menstrual products and school bathrooms along with spinning a wheel full of issues from action for liberty. Correct stolen valor. Claims he went to battle and never did. Mary: One GOP state rep spends his time at the nonpartisan house booth. >> You get the buzz and the energy that is around. How do Republicans counter that energy around him and that ticket now? >> I think that story is going to unfold. I believe the government has not really been held to account for a lot of the decisions he has made. The governor is really good at communicating with people. I don't agree with a lot of the policies that have come out of that and I don't think that he has really been all that honest with his belief system. Mary: The Republican worked on the campaigns of Walz's last two challenges for governor and says he barely recognizes the kind of energy the vice presidential candidate has been mustering in front of enormous crowds on a national stage. >> I have seen him change his demeanor significantly over the last four weeks. >> As a person who represents some rural areas, how do you feel about him and his outreach in rule Minnesota and the country? >> I think he has a lot of work to do on being a little bit more authentic. Putting an Orange vest on and camel hat on and talking about it is one thing, but you know, when the policies are hurting hunters, fishermen -- >> Do Republicans have a lot of work to do to successfully counter what has become a sensation and the memes and his communications? >> Absolutely. We need to talk more about what we believe in as Republicans and what does it mean to be a Republican in Minnesota? Is it an trump is very popular in greater Minnesota. President trump is not all that popular in the metro. We have to find that space as well and that grace. >> The Minnesota state fair ends today, giving people one last night to pick up campaign merchandise as a campaign enters the final stretch. For the pbs news hour, I am in St. Paul, Minnesota.