Walz is self-admittedly not a good debater. But Democrats didn’t think he’d be this bad.
And Tim Walz said one word during the debate that left Kamala Harris stunned beyond belief.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had a tough night during Tuesday’s vice presidential debate, where his nerves and missteps were on full display. In contrast, his Republican opponent, Ohio Senator JD Vance, gave a composed and confident performance, earning him widespread praise as the debate’s winner.
The debate, hosted by CBS News, was surprisingly cordial. Both candidates expressed mutual respect and avoided the sharp personal attacks that have dominated the presidential debates this cycle.
However, Walz, known for his down-to-earth demeanor on the campaign trail, appeared uncomfortable and ill-prepared. His body language betrayed his anxiety, as he fidgeted, took hurried notes, and seemed unable to maintain steady eye contact with the moderators.
Walz’s most notable gaffe came early in the debate when he was asked about his stance on a potential Israeli preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear program. Instead of addressing Iran, Walz mistakenly referenced “the expansion of Israel and its proxies,” leaving the actual question unanswered. Vance, 40, capitalized on the moment by offering a straightforward response, affirming his support for Israel’s decisions.
As the debate progressed, Walz continued to struggle. In a discussion on gun control, he made the alarming statement, “I’ve become friends with school shooters,” when he likely meant to refer to victims of gun violence. Vance responded with empathy, mentioning that Walz’s son had witnessed a tragic shooting in Minnesota.
"I've become friends with school shooters."
– Tim Walz pic.twitter.com/qPOuSUVXLn
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 2, 2024
Perhaps the most damaging moment for Walz came when he was questioned about allegations that he lied about being in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. When pressed for an explanation, Walz stumbled through an awkward response, admitting, “I got there that summer and misspoke on this,” before calling himself a “knucklehead.”
WALZ: "I'm a knucklehead at times"
We're all well aware, Tim. pic.twitter.com/266UDm8aKw
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) October 2, 2024
Meanwhile, Vance kept a cool demeanor, especially during one of the evening’s most personal moments. When asked about abortion policies, Vance shared a poignant story about a woman he knew who had an abortion to escape an abusive relationship. He used the anecdote to shift the focus to his party’s proposals for improving home affordability and making fertility treatments more accessible—an answer that was well-received by viewers.
Despite entering the debate with lower favorability ratings compared to Walz, Vance’s steady performance seemed to resonate with undecided voters. A focus group led by pollster Frank Luntz overwhelmingly favored Vance, with 12 out of 14 participants declaring him the winner of the night.
Political commentators echoed this sentiment. Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report remarked that Walz appeared “rusty and nervous,” and other analysts pointed out his lack of recent media engagements as a potential reason for his faltering performance. Josh Rogin of the Washington Post and Saagar Enjeti of “Breaking Points” both noted that Vance’s frequent interviews had made him more comfortable in the spotlight, giving him an edge.
Chris Cillizza, a seasoned political commentator, declared Vance the clear victor, praising his thoughtful pivot on abortion and criticizing Walz’s inability to adequately address the Tiananmen Square controversy.
Vance’s experience in interviews and debates showed throughout the evening. Even when the discussion turned contentious, such as when he challenged a fact-check on immigration policy, Vance remained composed. He pushed back on claims about the legal status of Haitian migrants in Ohio, offering a detailed critique of the Biden administration’s handling of asylum and parole cases.
While Vance praised some of the Harris-Walz campaign’s policies, including plans for increasing affordable housing, he questioned why Vice President Kamala Harris hadn’t made progress on these issues during her time in office.
His pointed remark, “If she wants to enact all of these policies to make housing more affordable, I invite her to use the office that the American people already gave her,” further highlighted his strong debate strategy.
In the end, the debate left was clearly a victory for the Trump/Vance campaign.
While Walz struggled with nerves and misstatements, Vance’s calm and articulate approach likely won over many undecided voters.
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
