The debate between the candidates for the vice presidency in the United States, Tim Walz (Democrat) and JD Vance (Republican)shined for two aspects that have long been absent in this country’s politics: substance and civility.
According to the criteria of
On that, at least, the main media outlets and experts agreed this Wednesday when making their evaluations about the first and only exchange agreed between these two opponents when there are less than five weeks until the presidential elections.
Although there were some high moments, Walz and Vance avoided personal attacks that have characterized this era of donald trump and they concentrated, rather, on highlighting the profound differences that exist between both candidates and the visions of the country they defend.
How much impact the debate will have in a race that remains very tight and where the majority of voters already seem to have made up their minds is something no one knows. However, and at least for the 90 minutes that the exchange lasted in New York, the feeling remained that a dialogue is still possible despite how acute the differences are.
As chains like cnn or the Washington Post: It was a debate that stood out for its “normality” in the midst of a toxic and chaotic campaign full of lies and exaggerations.
Vance, the media documented, repeated many of the same falsehoods that Trump has been venting – in total about 21, according to the Post’s count. But in doing so he moderated many of his boss’s approaches and tried to articulately justify others.
How much impact the debate will have in a race that remains very tight and where the majority of voters already seem to have made up their minds is something no one knows. However, and at least for the 90 minutes that the exchange lasted in New York, The feeling remained that a dialogue is still possible despite how acute the differences are.
Of course without forgetting that both Vance and Walz are “second table dishes” and that the tone and attention are abovee Trump and Kamala Harriss. Proof of this is that while Vance made efforts to maintain courtesy, the former president attacked his rivals on social networks, calling Harris “mentally disabled” and calling Walz “tampon Tim.”
What the polls say
Although the polls that have emerged so far are only small samples of people who watched the debate, in general they point to a good performance by Vance without detracting from the role of the Minnesota governor who at times looked nervous, but was regaining his composure.
In the survey carried out by cnn with registered voters, 51 percent saw the Republican as the winner compared to 49 percent who said the same about Walz.
But before starting the debate, the same group anticipated that the Democrat would emerge victorious (54 percent to 45 percent).
In other words, Vance exceeded expectations and in contrast to the performance of his boss who was seen as the underdog by more than 65 percent of people who watched his debate with Harris a month ago.
Vance, one of the most unpopular vice presidential candidates in history, also improved his favorability ratings among those watching the debate. From 30 percent who viewed it favorably and 52 percent unfavorably, it went to 41 percent favorable and 44 percent unfavorable when they were asked again for their opinion. Although it remains in deficit, its numbers – among this group of respondents – improved notably.
Trump insisted again this Tuesday that he does not plan to participate in a new exchange with Harris, so the Walz-Vance exchange could be the last meeting between the campaigns before the elections.
Some experts maintain, however, that the former president could be tempted to accept an additional one because he hates being surpassed by his inferiors (in this case Vance).
Walz didn’t do too badly either. After the meeting, 59 percent expressed a favorable opinion of the governor compared to 22 percent of critics, a considerable improvement over their previous figures (46 percent favorable and 32 percent unfavorable).
Additionally, a large majority of observers, 65 percent, said they felt that Walz was prepared to govern if necessary compared to 58 percent who said the same of Vance.
Likewise, 48 percent stated that they felt the governor was a person more in tune with the problems that afflict them (compared to 35 percent of Vance) while 48 percent said he shared his vision of what the United States should be. (39 percent for Vance).
In another CBS sample among independents and undecideds – the network that carried out the debate – 42 percent saw Vance as the winner versus 41 percent for Walz.
Although many called it a technical tie, there was also agreement that the Ohio senator came out better for exceeding expectations.
The weak side of the debate was that it competed in news terms with two major events that overshadowed it: the disasters left by Hurricane Helene in several states of the country and the escalation of conflict in the Middle East after Israel’s attacks in Lebanon and the response of Iran, which launched 181 missiles against this country on Tuesday night.
Likewise, many fewer people tuned in to watch it compared to the audience that watched the meeting between Harris and Trump (67 million versus less than 40, according to preliminary data).
SERGIO GÓMEZ MASERI
EL TIEMPO correspondent
Washington
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