Tim Walz Crumbles Under Pressure in VP Debate

Tuesday evening's vice presidential debate between Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) and Senator JD Vance (R-OH) was a disaster for the Democratic hopeful. Walz, who has largely avoided the media since being tapped as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, appeared woefully unprepared. Viewers and commentators alike noticed his discomfort, with many saying it was impossible to miss.

Several reactions stood out, painting a clear picture of Walz’s poor performance:

• Buffering Like Slow Wi-Fi: CNN commentator Scott Jennings perhaps summed it up best, likening Walz to someone “buffering on a slow WiFi connection.” Walz frequently froze mid-sentence, clearly unsure of how to handle the intense scrutiny that comes with a national debate stage.

• Lack of Preparation: Saagar Enjeti highlighted Walz’s lack of recent media appearances as a key reason for his nervousness, pointing out that Vance was clearly more comfortable after doing "an adversarial interview a day since he was picked."

• Cringe-Worthy Responses: From dodging questions about his controversial trip to China to delivering awkward non-answers, Walz provided some of the most uncomfortable moments of the debate season. One of the most memorable reactions came from commentator Comfortably Smug, who mocked Walz's incoherent answer with, “Lmao bro is completely broken.”

It wasn't just words that made the difference. Walz’s body language reflected the overall theme of the night: pure discomfort. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro didn’t hold back, comparing Walz’s demeanor to someone caught shoplifting. Meghan McCain and Riley Gaines both added that Walz’s discomfort was so severe it became hard to watch.

The Debate Fallout Perhaps the most damning statistic of the night came from Polymarket, a betting platform that tracks debate performances. Walz started with a 66% chance of winning the debate but cratered to 38% just minutes into his performance.

Walz’s inability to keep pace with JD Vance only amplifies concerns about the Democratic ticket’s ability to compete in the 2024 election. Where Kamala Harris has long been criticized for her ineffectiveness as vice president, Walz now seems to be an even less capable alternative.

This debate has left many wondering whether the Democratic Party made a huge mistake in choosing Walz. If Tuesday’s performance is any indication, the answer is obvious.

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