Staff Reports
Senator J.D. Vance and Governor Tim Walz recently squared off in a vice-presidential debate that felt like a warm-up act compared to the headline performances of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The stakes were lower, and the drama was undoubtedly dialed down a notch, but viewers might have preferred a knife fight to the measured exchanges that took place.
Vance took the stage ready to dismantle his opponent’s narrative on immigration. As soon as Walz attempted some light fact-checking of Vance’s statements, he interjected to remind everyone that CBS had promised not to play the pesky moderator game. What followed was a description of how illegal immigration can slip through the cracks with the help of an app, likening it to handing out candy at a parade. While Walz played it cool, Vance made it clear that the government’s role in facilitating illegal migration was a “continuation of illegal immigration.” The only real “mute” button moment happened when Vance made his point heard loud and clear, catching everyone’s attention and perhaps evening the score from some previous debates where the facts seemed to twist and turn like a pretzel.
As the debate wore on, Vance savagely cornered Walz on his economic contradictions.
“Tim, I think you got a tough job here because you've got to play whack-a-mole. You've got to pretend that Donald Trump didn't deliver rising take-home pay, which, of course, he did. You've got… pic.twitter.com/mBVUPBPMQ3
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) October 2, 2024
On the other hand, Walz revived his campaign’s hallmark line: “Mind your own business.” This did little more than serve as an echo of his party’s ongoing struggle with the very real issues surrounding abortion policy. His call to restore Roe v. Wade felt more like a grasp for straws rather than a convincing argument in light of how Americans currently view the sanctity of life. Despite his claims, it’s hard to ignore that suggesting increased funding for children while hanging onto an antiquated concept of women’s autonomy didn’t resonate. It’s as if he believes voters share the same selective memory that seems to plague his entire party.
When the conversation turned economic, Vance accused Walz of playing a game of Whac-A-Mole, desperately trying to dodge the facts of Trump’s successes while propping up the failures of the current administration. Vance highlighted how Trump had managed to deliver rising wages and lower inflation—facts that don’t seem to make it to Walz’s talking points. In a stunning display of disconnect, Walz’s defense of Kamala Harris’s economic record, rife with unaffordable gas and groceries, was met with laughter in the conservative corners of the internet. It’s tough to win an argument when the evidence is stacked so blatantly against you.
The debate’s climax came when Walz badgered Vance over the 2020 election results. Vance expertly pivoted to the real crisis: censorship and the erosion of free speech felt across the nation post-election, deftly avoiding the distraction of whether or not Trump “lost.” Walz’s frustration boiled over as he claimed Vance’s response amounted to a “damning non-answer.” It is a stunning admission, though, as it perfectly illustrates how the left has been unable to offer any viable alternatives since the election, choosing instead to play the blame game.
In the end, the debate may not have gone viral, but it showcased the clear contrasts between the two candidates. Vance’s points, sharp and relevant, stood out against Walz’s floundering attempts to defend an indefensible agenda. It appears voters are in for another wild ride in the 2024 election cycle, where clarity and facts remain the conservative’s best friends while Democrats continue to flounder in a sea of contradictions.
