The vice presidential debate between Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio showcased a stark contrast in demeanor and presentation.
According to the New York Post, the CBS News-hosted forum on Tuesday night revealed an unexpectedly nervous Walz, who fidgeted, frowned and even referred to himself as a "knucklehead." In contrast, Vance delivered a composed and articulate performance that many observers deemed victorious.
Despite the tense political climate, the debate maintained a largely cordial tone. Both candidates found common ground on several issues and avoided the personal attacks that characterized earlier presidential debates this year.
Governor Walz, known for his folksy demeanor on the campaign trail, appeared visibly uncomfortable throughout the debate. His nervousness manifested in hand-wringing, frantic note-taking, and darting eyes. The 60-year-old Democrat made several notable missteps, including a confusion between Israel and Iran when discussing Middle East policy.
Perhaps the most memorable moment came when Walz was confronted about recent reports questioning his presence in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. His response was rambling and evasive:
Look, I will be the first to tell you I have poured my heart into my community. I've tried to do the best I can, but I've not been perfect, and I'm a knucklehead at times, but it's always been about that those same people elected me to Congress for 12 years.
When pressed further, Walz grudgingly admitted to misspeaking about the timing of his arrival in Hong Kong.
In contrast to Walz's uneven performance, Senator Vance, 40, maintained a calm and collected demeanor throughout the debate. He skillfully wove personal anecdotes into his policy discussions, sharing stories about his mother's struggle with opioid addiction and his grandmother's financial hardships.
Vance's approach to sensitive topics, such as abortion, was particularly noteworthy. He shared a personal story about someone close to him who had an abortion, using it to pivot toward discussing the Republican ticket's proposals for free fertility treatments and improved home affordability.
The Ohio Senator also demonstrated a willingness to find common ground with his opponents. He praised some of the Harris-Walz campaign's policies, particularly those related to housing construction and affordability, while still challenging Vice President Harris on why these policies hadn't been implemented during her tenure.
The debate's outcome seemed to favor Vance, with pollster Frank Luntz reporting that 12 out of 14 undecided voters in a focus group across seven battleground states concluded that Vance won the debate.
Political commentators echoed this sentiment. Dave Wasserman, senior editor at the Cook Political Report, noted that Democrats should be grateful that presidential debates tend to matter more than VP debates. Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin suggested that Walz's lack of recent press interviews may have contributed to his rusty performance.
Chris Cillizza, a veteran political commentator, praised Vance's debating skills, particularly his handling of the abortion question. He described Vance's performance as masterful while characterizing Walz as "fine — but uneven."
The vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance highlighted significant differences in their debate performances. Walz's unexpected nervousness and verbal missteps contrasted sharply with Vance's composed and empathetic approach. According to various commentators and focus groups, the debate's genial tone allowed for substantive policy discussions, with Vance emerging as the perceived winner.
