Staff Reports
In the lead-up to the much-anticipated vice presidential debate, the Trump campaign has wasted no time in prepping the battleground by labeling Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz with a series of less-than-flattering nicknames, including “liar” and “chameleon.” Adding to his festive title list, they’ve taken it a step further by dubbing him “traitor Tim” and “turncoat Tim,” which likely went down like a hot slice of deep-dish pizza for proud conservatives.
While they’ve blasted Walz with pointed critiques, the Trump campaign is also attempting to raise the stakes for the upcoming debate against Republican Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio. Claimed to be a strong performer on stage, Walz supposedly has the daunting task of convincing the public that Vice President Kamala Harris is both innocent and blissfully unaware of the economic quagmire she’s helped create. One can only imagine the look on voters’ faces when they hear that argument—like a cat trying to catch its tail in confusion.
A Trump campaign adviser believes that Vance will come out on top in his debate against Tim Walz if he can maintain a focus on policy rather than personality. https://t.co/hWRaLJ9Ykl
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) October 1, 2024
In a conference call with reporters, Trump senior adviser Jason Miller laid out how Walz is all set for the challenge, emphasizing the high expectations. It’s as if the idea is that Walz, with his nearly two decades of political experience, is somehow going to work magic in a debate with a man like Vance, who’s had the privilege of sitting in the Senate since 2022 and excels in the spotlight. The debate is less like a showdown between Titans and more like placing a sleeping cat against a savvy dog—interesting to watch but ultimately predictable.
Scheduled for prime time at 9 PM at CBS Broadcast Center in New York, this debate is meant to be the final face-off before the November 5 election. With no live audience present to react in real-time, it promises to be a pure battleground where both candidates will have their chance to charm—or alarm—the nation. Walz will be serving his best attempt to rally trust towards Harris, while Vance will quickly point out why the Trump presidency was the better option.
On the military front, both candidates share a service history that they’re likely to tout, but Vance is leading the narrative on that score. He’s accused Walz of enhancing his military record to shine brighter and once claimed that Walz bailed on his National Guard duties at the first whiff of deployment. Walz’s defense—that he left to run for Congress—may have some merit, but as any good debate fan knows, the truth often gets trampled in the heat of the moment.
While some Walz supporters have rallied to defend him against the accusations, the Trump campaign is all aboard the Walz-is-running scared train. Tom Behrends, a former member of Walz’s National Guard unit, laid it thick during a conference call, stating that in the face of real national duty, Walz “ran the other way.” It’s got all the makings of a drama-filled spectacle that will leave viewers both entertained and maybe a little horrified come debate night.
