Rozina Sabur
Deputy US Editor,
in New York
02 October 2024 10:51pm
What is JD Vance like as a debater? The resounding answer from his prime time appearance was: nothing like Donald Trump.
The Republican vice-presidential candidate’s head-to-head with Tim Walz offered a stark contrast to the performances by the top of the GOP ticket.
In fact, Mr Vance offered something of a masterclass for his boss.
Where the 78-year-old Trump has a weakness for mud-slinging and interrupting opponents, Mr Vance was politely attentive, even finding common cause with his Democratic opponent at times.
It is the sort of consensus-building many Americans appreciate, and more palatable to people who like some of Trump’s policies but have grown weary with his bombastic style.
It was a softer, slicker pitch for the MAGA brand than Trump has ever managed.
There can be little doubt Mr Vance, dogged for weeks by contentious past comments, enhanced his image with the star turn.
The 40-year-old vice-presidential candidate is in poll position to take on the 78-year-old Republican Party leader’s mantle.
But in claiming the spotlight has he upset the fragile balance the pair’s relationship requires?
Trump does not like to be outshone or upstaged.
He made that clear in his response to the fanfare over his selection of a running mate almost half his age, delivering a brutal put down to Mr Vance and his significance to the party’s ticket.
“The vice-president, in terms of the election, does not have any impact. I mean, virtually no impact,” he said.
Much has also been made of Mr Vance’s past criticisms of his new boss, whom he once reportedly called “America’s Hitler”.
Insiders suggest Trump’s ego was flattered by Mr Vance’s dramatic about-face and his willingness to genuflect before the altar of his MAGA agenda.
Ironically, it was not the zeal of this conversion that most impressed pundits and, if the polls are to be believed, the viewing public, but his rational, even compassionate, espousal of a conservative agenda for the next president.
Crucially, he was able to effectively articulate the message Trump had failed to deliver at his own debates.
Instead of ugly attacks on Democrats, there was a shrewd strategy: hit Kamala Harris on policy, rather than personality.
Mr Walz came in prepared to land several blows. His strategy was to remind Americans of Mr Vance’s most contentious comments and, as Ms Harris had done with Trump, goad his opponent into taking the bait.
But the Ohio senator proved an elusive target. “I think that we’re focused on the future,” he said. It denied Democrats valuable online fodder, and demonstrated a level of discipline Trump has yet to achieve.
Historically, vice-presidential debates are of little consequence.
But this head-to-head had taken on added significance as one of the final opportunities for either campaign to deliver a message.
Trump and Harris are unlikely to meet on stage again. So a poor performance by either Mr Vance or Mr Walz could have had catastrophic consequences for their ticket.
Mr Vance stole the show, while Mr Walz’s verbal stumbles confirmed Democrats’ concerns over his debating skills were well-placed.
The Republican may have won the night, but his rave reviews owe much to the fact that he focused on empathy, rather than serving as a vociferous defender of Trumpism.
It will have won over voters, but what about his boss?
The post JD Vance has stolen Donald Trump’s thunder appeared first on The Telegraph.
