The vice-presidential debate between Minnesota governor Tim Walz and Ohio senator J.D. Vance on Tuesday night was a surprisingly cordial affair, a marked change from their running mates’ contentious face-off last month.
But toward the end of the debate, both candidates dropped the pleasantries and highlighted a stark contrast between the two parties on the subject of January 6 and election integrity. CBS News moderator Margaret Brennan asked Vance about his past claims that he wouldn’t have certified the 2020 election results and whether he would seek to challenge this year’s results even if they’re certified by every United States governor. In response, Vance suggested that wasn’t exactly what he said, despite evidence to the contrary.
“What President Trump has said is that there were problems in 2020, and my own belief is that we should fight about those issues, debate those issues peacefully in the public square, and that’s all I’ve said and that’s all President Trump has said,” Vance said.
In response, Walz noted that Donald Trump consistently pushed the false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen from him, resulting in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, that disrupted the election-certification process and left hundreds of members of law enforcement injured. “When this is over, we need to shake hands — this election — and the winner needs to be the winner. This has got to stop,” Walz said.
Vance said it was “rich” for Democrats to talk about Trump being a threat to democracy when he “peacefully” transferred power to Biden on January 20, 2021, 14 days after the Capitol riot.
Walz then turned to Vance and asked directly if Trump lost the 2020 election. The senator demurred, pivoting to censorship, which he says poses a greater threat to the American people. “Tim, I’m focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in the wake of the 2020 COVID situation?” Vance said.
Walz responded, “That is a damning non-answer.”
The Harris camp has already started campaigning on the moment, clipping the exchange for its social-media accounts and turning Vance’s response into a 30-second ad backed with scenes from the January 6 riot.
The interaction appears to have motivated at least one voter. In a CNN focus group, one undecided voter said that Vance’s answer on January 6 influenced them to support Kamala Harris. “J.D. Vance didn’t really give us a definitive answer, and I’m disappointed in that fact. And I don’t think I can trust someone with my vote if they’re not going to respect it,” they said.
More on the vance-walz debate
- Snap Polls Show VP Debate Was As Close As the Presidential Race
- How Tim Walz Saved Himself
- Republican Insiders Were Thrilled by J.D. Vance’s Debate
