What were Democrats thinking?!?
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is feeling the heat after his recent debate performance, and Democrats can’t claim they weren’t warned. During the vetting process for his role as running mate, Walz candidly admitted to Vice President Kamala Harris that he wasn’t the strongest debater. Yet, despite this admission, Harris chose him over more seasoned candidates, like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, based on their personal connection.
Fast forward to Tuesday night, where Walz faced off against Ohio Senator JD Vance. The debate did not go well for Walz, who was criticized across the board for appearing unprepared and visibly nervous. Observers noted that he stumbled on key questions, including a crucial one about supporting Israel against Iran, mixing up the two countries in a significant gaffe. To make matters worse, he inadvertently referred to himself as a “knucklehead” while addressing his misleading claims about being in China during the Tiananmen Square protests.
While some in the Trump campaign downplayed Walz’s evident jitters, asserting that he would shine in the debate, the reality told a different story. As Vance pointed out post-debate, defending Kamala Harris’s policies was no easy task.
Despite the attempts by the Harris-Walz team to spin the narrative, even traditionally Democratic commentators expressed skepticism. CNN anchor Abby Phillip remarked on the clear lack of preparation Walz displayed, while fellow moderator Dana Bash noted he seemed over-rehearsed, struggling to deliver his points naturally. This combination of nerves and overthinking painted a picture of a candidate unprepared for the national stage.
The debate outcome was not what the Democrats had hoped for, and their attempts to frame Walz’s performance as a victory were met with skepticism. Notable figures from both sides of the aisle weighed in, with some Democrats humorously questioning whether they might have performed better.
As Walz embarks on a campaign bus tour through Pennsylvania alongside Senator John Fetterman, the pressure will only increase. With no further debates scheduled between the two tickets, the spotlight remains firmly on Walz as he tries to recover from this debate misstep. The stakes are high, and the Republican base is keenly observing, ready to capitalize on any further vulnerabilities in the Democratic camp.