Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) appeared to display a softer and more likable Midwestern style in Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate, a strategy that could flip the script on his unfavorable rating.
In several exchanges on the debate stage that he shared with Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), Vance struck a more sympathetic tone when he showed empathy for Walz’s child witnessing a shooting, reflected on his own family, and agreed with Walz on various topics during the 90-minute showdown.
Vance’s average favorable rating was more than 10 points underwater heading into the debate, with 45.5% viewing him unfavorably compared to less than 35% who saw him as favorable. Walz had an average net positive favorable rating of 4%, with roughly 40% who said he was favorable compared to 36% unfavorable.
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Walz revealed his 17-year-old son had witnessed a shooting at a community center when debating the topic of gun violence and gun control.
“Tim, first of all, I didn’t know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting. I’m sorry about that, and Christ have mercy. It is awful,” Vance responded.
“I appreciate that,” Walz said.
At another point, Vance interjected praise for his family when discussing the economy and how the nominees at the top of the tickets would bolster middle-class families.
“I’ve got three beautiful little kids at home: 7, 4, and 2. And I love them very much. And I hope they’re in bed right now,” Vance said. “But look, so many of the drugs, the pharmaceuticals that we put in the bodies of our children are manufactured by nations that hate us, this has to stop. And we’re not going to stop it by listening to experts. We’re going to stop it by listening to commonsense wisdom, which is what Donald Trump governed on.”
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Vance expressed agreement with Walz at several points, including that the death of a Georgia woman seeking an abortion was tragic, Walz wants to address illegal immigration and that higher housing prices shouldn’t be pinned on migrants, and the federal government should provide a robust response to Hurricane Helene devastation. “
“I’m really proud, especially given that I was raised by two lifelong, blue-collar Democrats, to have the endorsement of Bobby Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, lifelong leaders in the Democratic coalition,” Vance said. “We don’t have to agree on every issue, but we’re united behind a basic American First Amendment principle that we ought to debate our differences.”