Who won the VP debate? Walz ‘fumbled bigly’ in ‘good old-fashioned’ spar with Vance

Despite a civilized and often convivial vice presidential debate on Tuesday night, Democratic candidate Tim Walz at times appeared nervous and unprepared, while his Republican rival JD Vance worked to downplay his image of an uncompassionate weirdo.

Ultimately, the Ohio senator’s confidence, command of party lines and smooth delivery made a largely positive impression during the New York showdown, contrasting to his recent controversies including false claims that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, have been eating their neighbors’ pets.

Snap polls from both CNN and CBS following the debate revealed a virtual tie between the two candidates.The CBS poll found that 41 percent surveyed felt Walz had won, and 42 percent saw the debate as a victory for Vance.

“JD Vance came to land a bunch of punches and he did… Tim Walz didn’t seem prepared for it,” CNN anchor Abby Phillip said after the debate wrapped. “There was a clear lack of preparation and execution here on Walz’s part.”

Walz had a shaky start to the debate after being hit immediately with a question about the Middle East conflict – an ongoing source of criticism for the Biden administration – but later found his rhythm. Vance appeared largely unflustered throughout.

CNN commentator David Urban, former senior advisor to the 2016 Trump presidential campaign, gave Vance “10 out of 10.”

“He landed a lot of good punches but he did so with an iron fist in a velvet glove,” Urban said.

“He was very smooth, he was likable, he looked presidential. He had a command of the facts. He wasn’t flustered, he was a guy you’d want to have a beer with.”

One of the stickiest moments for Walz came when he was challenged over his previous statements that he was in Hong Kong during