DEBATE RECAP: Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance controlled the stage against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in what was likely the final debate of the 2024 election Tuesday night. Vance displayed sharp policy chops and a confident command of the issues, while the visibly flustered Walz failed to score points with the opportunities he had.
Strikingly, Vance was cool and polite throughout the contest, holding back from attacking Walz's weaknesses on China, his embellished military service record, and disastrous handling of the 2020 George Floyd riots in Minneapolis. The Ohio Senator's laid-back demeanor contrasted sharply with Walz's frazzled look, in spite of a formidable opponent handling him with kid gloves.
Despite enjoying a measured and respectful opponent, Walz looked like he was on stage with an attack dog.
The contest, hosted by CBS, and available on Ohio.news may have been the Harris-Walz outfit's last chance to clarify its policy outlook and make overtures to the key demographic where Democrats are hurting: with men.
Walz's avuncular Midwestern folksisms were tapped to appeal to exactly the demographic Harris needs, so the thinking goes, Heartland Americans and men. But his inarticulate, bureaucratic responses to critical issues and appearing clearly out of his depth compared with Vance's ironclad grip on complex policy questions are unlikely to move the needle.
Notably, Walz was caught out in inconsisties about his past with China.
CBS: You lied about being in China during Tiananmen Square. What do you say?
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 2, 2024
Tim Walz: “I used to ride my bike with friends growing up.”
This is completely painful to watch.pic.twitter.com/pDUXkwmJgO
Walz notably traveled to China over 30 times, sparking questions about his dealings there.
Vance hit out at Walz's remarks on limiting Americans' First Amendment rights, to which the Minnesota Democrat responded, "I don't run Facebook." Walz has been taken to task for the Biden-Harris administration's pressuring of Facebook to censor social media posts.
In what was Walz's last chance to clarify a potential Harris administration's policies and show voters substance, his weaknesses rose to the surface as Vance carried the night. Thus Walz's appeals to age, wisdom, and relying on an expert class in governance fell flat coupled with his obvious nerves and Vance's policy mastery.
Vance is going home tonight with Walz's wallet. Vance didn't even have to snatch it, Walz just handed it over, along with a bunch of unearned compliments to Vance's fine character.
— David Frum (@davidfrum) October 2, 2024
Had Walz managed a stronger showing, Vance's capabilities showed a youthful and capable future for the GOP that Democrats have been so far unable to muster.
Debate Reactions Favor Vance
READ: LA Times: Vance Won the Debate - and it Wasn't Close.
WSJ HIGHLIGHTS: Vance, Confident, Walz Uneven in Heavy Policy Debate
WATCH: Megyn Kelly: Vance's Masterclass.
READ: The Standard: Mr. Nice Guy Flubbed It.
CNN's @ScottJenningsKY on the #VPDebate: "It's pretty clear Vance outclassed Walz tonight. I mean, I was watching this and all I could think of was -- man, Walz is so in over his head. I mean, can you imagine this guy sitting in the White House Situation Room with that facial… pic.twitter.com/AfbysS07zp
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 2, 2024
Former President Donald Trump currently leads Harris by eight points in Ohio, and is currently holding on to the electoral college in polls with narrow margins in the remaining swing states.
Whether Walz was able reach Heartland Americans and men last night, especially young men, whom Democrats seem to have all but given up on, will be tested come November.
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