‘Endearing And Human’: Walz Wins Plaudits for Nervous Debate Performance
Encounter boosted favorability of both candidates, according to poll
While it’s very rarely the case that vice-presidential debates affect election outcomes, one way or another, the encounter Tuesday evening between Minnesota Gov Tim Walz and Sen JD Vance enhanced the likeability of both men.
Not only did a number of commentators note that, but a flash poll out immediately following the debate bore it out, as well.
Democrat Walz and Republican Vance faced each other for the first — and probably only — time Tuesday on national TV, just weeks ahead of the November election.
Although Vance seemed very slick and prepared, the affable Walz occasionally appeared nervous.
But, speaking as a guest on late-night host Stephen Colbert’s program after the debate, MSNBC host Chris Hayes thought that Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate still came off quite well.
“Walz was so very clearly very nervous which I was find endearing and human when you hear that constriction in the throat,” Hayes said. “Kamala Harris’ first answer in the last debate was the same way.
“Ultimately on the sort of last exchange about the 2020 election and fortunately on some meat and potatoes things, on health care, I think Walz did a really, really good job on driving the key themes,” Hayes added.
Although Hayes said that he believes that Walz win the debate, both candidates on stage Tuesday improved in one key metric. Also both men saw improvement, Walz still topped Vance in this category.
Both Walz and Vance improved their favorability among voters, according to a CNN public opinion poll released immediately following the debate.
The Republican — who has been deeply unpopular as Donald Trump’s running mate due to disparaging comments about women and migrants — boosted his favorability 11 points. He remains slightly “underwater,” at 41 percent favorable, to 44 percent unfavorable.
Walz — a former high school teacher and football coach before entering politics — saw his favorability shoot up 13 points. He is overwhelmingly favorable at 59 percent favorable, to just 22 percent unfavorable.
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