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Ohio Senator JD Vance appeared more confident, polished and prepared than Minnesota Governor Tim Walz during the vice presidential debate in New York City.
In the refreshingly calm debate, Vance spread falsehoods about immigration and refused to admit his running mate, Donald Trump, lost the 2020 election, yet he managed to outperform Walz.
Vance gave a noticeably softer performance than usual and rarely wavered in his responses – even when confronted with his past comments about Trump and his recent false claims about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio.
Meanwhile, Walz struggled to find his footing, he appeared nervous and unsure in some of his answers. The Democratic vice presidential nominee got more comfortable in the 90-minute debate, but his even-keeled answers failed to outshine some of Vance’s.
Democrats reportedly privately voiced concerns that Walz could underperform in the debate because of his tendency to get heated while defending his record in office. However, he did not live up to that expectation.
The candidates went head-to-head on abortion, immigration, gun control and January 6.
At one point, moderators were forced to cut the vice presidential nominees’ microphones because they refused to stop interrupting.
Both JD Vances—the Hillbilly and the running mate—came out in full force tonight
Vance did what he needed to do.
For the longest time, one of his biggest downsides is that he has come off as too abrasive or mean-spirited. Here, we saw the Vance that made Hillbilly Elegy a bestseller.
He talked about the woman who raised him—his mamaw—and the fact they were Democrats. He mentioned his three children where in the past he has said he told his kid to “shut up” about talking about Pokémon. Vance mostly succeeded when talking about himself. But he fell short when he tried to skate past his previous comments about Springfield, Ohio or when he talked about how he changed his mind.
Toward the end, we started to see the hard right warrior Vance we have seen since he ran for Senate. He talked about big tech censorship and said it was a bigger issue than the 2020 election. That might be enough to hurt him
Watch: JD Vance refuses to say that Trump lost the 2020 election
Walz and Vance shake hands to end the night
Vance appeared more confident during debate
Both candidates maintained a more even-toned attitude than expected going into the debate, but ultimately Vance seemed more confident in his answers.
At the start of the debate, Walz’s nerves were palpable as he tried to deliver an answer on Israel. His confidence got better throughout the debate and he delivered more punching answers toward the end.
But Vance ultimately seemed more unbothered and well-prepared for the vice presidential debate.
Walz paints a positive picture, Vance attacks Harris in closing statements
In their closing statements, Walz maintained a positive outlook of the United States while Vance attacked Harris.
The Democratic vice presidential candidate reminded people that Harris wants to create a more affordable, accessible country for everyone. It was reminiscent of the beginning of the Harris–Walz campaign when they promoted a message of hope for a better future.
But Vance spent most of his closing statement attacking Harris and her policies – a familiar strategy that Trump invokes in his rallies and speeches.
Vance refuses to admit Trump lost 2020 election
Walz is having a notably strong moment while denouncing January 6 and confronting Vance for refusing to admit Trump lost the 2020 election.
The Democratic vice presidential candidate asked Vance if he believed Trump won the 2020 election, to which Vance said he wanted to focus on the future.
“That is a damning nonanswer,” Walz said.
The Minnesota governor is warning Americans that this discourse over January 6 and the 2020 election. “has got to stop”
“It’s tearing our country apart,” Walz said. He urged Americans to vote for the person who will uphold democracy.
Vance swerves question on rejecting 2024 results
When confronted about election certification and January 6, Vance immediately pivoted to inflation and later to censorship.
Vance briefly answered moderators’ question, saying the 2020 election had “problems” and defended his running mate for telling rioters to go peacefully to the Capitol on January 6.
The Republican presidential candidate tried to make the attack on the Capitol appear like a health debate. However, more than 1,200 people have been charged in connection to the violent day.
Paid family medical leave is a staple of Walz’s governorship
Walz is advocating for more paid family medical leave on the debate stage.
Last year, Walz signed a bill to provide paid family medical leave with partial wage replacement for 12-20 weeks of leave in a 52-week period for medical leave or family care. That kicks in January 2026.
Walz passionately speaks about the Affordable Care Act
In response to Trump and Vance potentially overturning ACA, Walz reminds people that Trump did not successfully repeal the ACA while in office and the policy preserves healthcare coverage for those with preexisting conditions.
Walz, using his hands a lot, is passionately explaining why the ACA is important.
Vance claims migrants are contributing to housing prices
Supporting Trump’s mass deportation policies, Vance claims that migrants are contributing to high housing costs in the U.S.
An economic study said a mass deportation of eight million immigrants would increase consumer prices.
Source: independent.co.uk
