In Tuesday’s vice presidential debate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) effectively challenged Ohio Senator J.D. Vance (R), diminishing Donald Trump’s stronghold on key voter issues, according to a post-debate analysis.
Early polling data from CBS News, analyzed by New Republic columnist Greg Sargent, found that while perceptions of who won the debate were closely matched, Walz outperformed Vance in key areas such as reasonableness, presidential preparedness, and critical issues like abortion and health care.
Vance held narrow leads on economic discussions (51-49) and immigration (52-48), but Sargent highlighted that these margins are surprisingly slim for topics traditionally viewed as Republican strengths.
“Striking numbers from CBS: On who won the debate, it was a wash,” Sargent posted on X. “But Walz did better on who came across as reasonable [very] extreme, who is prepared to be president, who is viewed more favorably, and on abortion and health care. Vance’s lead on the economy/immigration is negligible.”
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“That’s just not a big advantage at all on the two issues Trump wants this election to be all about, *especially* compared with Walz’s big advantage on abortion and health care,” he noted.
Despite the usual caveats about instant polls, a CNN survey indicated that 65% of respondents felt Walz was more prepared to serve as president, compared to 58% for Vance. Additionally, Walz led 48-35 in being seen as in touch with the concerns of everyday citizens.
“If these numbers are right (beware of flash polls etc.), the story of the debate is that Walz actually might have blunted Trump’s advantage on his biggest issues,” Sargent concluded. “My God did the insta-commentary blow this one.”
Striking numbers from CBS: On who won the debate, it was a wash. But Walz did better on who came across as reasonable v extreme, who is prepared to be president, who is viewed more favorably, and on abortion and health care. Vance's lead on the economy/immigration is negligible. pic.twitter.com/bAKKa03hMR
— Greg Sargent (@GregTSargent) October 2, 2024
