Who won the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz
Both candidates scored blows during the last debate before election day and now the verdict is in on whether JD Vance or Tim Walz was victorious.
IN THE US
The vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance has wrapped up with voters, the betting markets and networks delivering their verdict on who won.
Hosted by US TV network CBS in New York City, the vice presidential debate between Minnesota Governor Walz and Ohio Senator Vance was watched by millions of Americans. And in such a tight presidential race, even a few voters that switched sides due to the debate could have a dramatic outcome of the race.
It will be the only vice presidential debate and likely will be the final debate of any kind before election day on November 5 since Donald Trump has refused another opportunity to debate Kamala Harris.
Mr Vance and Mr Walz sparred over immigration, abortion and the future of democracy.
And in contrast to the sometimes scrappy clash between Ms Harris and Mr Trump, the VP match-up was far more polite.
“This was a surprisingly affable debate for two men we know … do not like each other,” said a CBS pundit who was struck by the number of times the two men said they “agreed” with one another.
Which VP hopeful won?
Online betting market Polymarket had the likelihood of Mr Walz winning the debate at 71 per cent before it began. However, in the end it had Mr Vance prevailing.
Newspaper USA Today gave it to Mr Vance chiefly because he didn't repeat his boss’s “disastrous debate performance” from last month.
But it didn’t appear to be the slam dunk victory that Ms Harris had over Mr Trump.
Indeed, a snap post-debate poll by host broadcaster CBS had the debate as almost a complete tie with Mr Vance on 42 per cent, Mr Walz on 41 per cent and 17 per cent saying it was even.
CNN said the Republican had won the debate, but by a whisker, 51 per cent to 49 per cent.
CNN also said both candidates’ popularity ratings had risen since the debate with Mr Walz now on 59 per cent favourable and Mr Vance 44 per cent favourable.
Nervous Tim Walz
Mr Walz, seemed at times nervous and made a few unfortunate stumbles. He confused Iran for Israel and said he was “friends with a school shooter,” when it was likely he meant he was friends with a victim of a school shooter.
There were also a number of blows he didn’t seem to land. For instance, failing to even bring up Mr Vance’s “childless cat ladies” gibe which would have been an easy dig.
He mostly stuck to the folksiness he is known for.
One of the most awkward moments for Mr Walz came not from his opponent but from moderator Margaret Brennan who needled him on the claim he made that he was in Hong Kong at the time of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
That doesn’t appear to be the case and goes to allegations that Mr Walz has embellished his life story and career record.
“I misspoke on this. I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protest,” Mr Walz replied.
Mr Walz said he had “tried to do the best I can” but had “not been perfect”.
“And I’m a knucklehead at times,” he said.
JD Vance’s ‘damning non-answer’
Mr Vance has a reputation for being aloof. But the Mr Vance who took the stage appeared to have had a rhetorical makeover.
The senator looked to be making a conscious effort to rein in any unnecessary insults. For instance, he didn’t press Mr Walz on claims he left the military in order to avoid active duty – something he has done in the past.
Rather he leaned on his family story, of a mother addicted to drugs and being brought up by his grandmother, to sound more down to earth.
In the end it was almost folksy vs. folksy.
Perhaps Mr Vance’s biggest stumble was towards the end of the debate when the CBS moderators asked about Mr Trump’s ongoing claims the previous election – which he lost – was rigged.
The Minnesota Governor said that as a school football coach, he knows “sometimes you really want to win”.
But he was concerned Mr Trump was “laying the groundwork” for not accepting this year’s election results and has mentioned imprisoning his political opponents.
“A president’s words matter. People hear that,” he said before turning to his rival and asking: “Trump is still saying he didn’t lose the election. Did he lose the 2020 election?”
“Tim, I’m focused on the future.,” Mr Vance responded.
“That is a damning non-answer?” replied Mr Walz pointedly.
Trump campaign claims victory
Indeed, the two seemed far keener to put the spotlight on the presidential candidates than themselves.
According to The New York Times, Mr Walz attacked Mr Trump six times more than he did Mr Vance. The Republican attacked Ms Harris twice as much as Mr Walz.
Donald Trump’s campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, unsurprisingly, were effusive in praise for Mr Vance.
“Senator Vance unequivocally won tonight’s debate in dominating fashion,” they said.
“It was the best debate performance from any Vice-Presidential candidate in history.
“Senator Vance spoke the truth, eloquently prosecuted the case against Kamala Harris’ failed record, and effectively held Governor Tim Walz accountable for his lies on behalf of the Harris-Biden Administration.
“Tonight, Senator Vance proved why President Trump chose him as his running mate.”
As for the Democrats, they don’t appear to be saying that Mr Walz won but they do believe he landed some important blows.
Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said Walz was a “leader who cares about the issues that matter most to the American people”.
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“Americans got to see a real contrast: a straight talker focused on sharing real solutions, and a slick politician who spent the whole night defending Donald Trump’s division and failures.”
Mr Vance may have squeaked a win in a surprising civil debate. But with no major gaffes or damaging revelations from either candidate it may not change the dial.
The election remains incredibly close.
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