For the first and only time, vice presidential contenders JD Vance, Ohio Senator, and Tim Walz, Minnesota Governor, met on the national stage Tuesday night.
Contrary to the past few debates we have seen in this election cycle and last, the two candidates on stage were respectful of each other, going as far as to reach across the aisle, a practice that has been all but outlawed in American politics.
This was an incredibly refreshing debate to watch, which goes to show how far our political system has strayed from normalcy. Despite his lack of basis for his claims, Senator Vance remained respectful, even showing emotion for seemingly the first time on the campaign trail.
That said, Walz’s Midwestern background showed stronger than we have seen on the campaign trail, as he was not nearly tough enough on the sheer evil that is James David Vance.
Governor Walz allowed Senator Vance’s manipulation tactics to succeed, as Vance successfully dodged every difficult question that was posed, especially regarding the fact that he was the author of the forward in Kevin D. Robert’s upcoming book, “Dawn’s Early Light.” Mr. Roberts is the head of the Heritage Foundation, the organization behind Project 2025, which Senator Vance has dubbed “the most influential engine of ideas for Republicans from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump.”
In typical Vance fashion, he refused to take accountability for his actions, claiming to have nothing to do with Project 2025.
On the other hand, Walz openly admitted to having misspoke regarding the timeline of his trip to Tiananmen Square, a question that has left Governor Walz scrambling to explain himself in the past.
I believe this contrast was the most important moment of the night. We need candidates who change their stance on issues, not their values.
Vance represents the very worst of the United States. He is a conman who will go wherever the money leads him, as seen by the fact that he called Trump “America’s Hitler” and is now bowing down to the throne, alongside what remains of the traditional Republican Party.
Nobody who flirts with fascism as much as Senator Vance is deserving of the respect Governor Walz so graciously showed him.
I fear for the future of American democracy should former president Trump reassume office, but I also fear for a situation where Donald Trump loses, as Senator Vance has stated that if he were in Mike Pence’s shoes on Jan. 6, 2021, he would have obeyed President Trump’s orders to decline to certify the election results.
While this debate did not drastically move the needle, the contrast between the candidates was on full display and must not be overlooked.
Regardless of your involvement or interest in politics, I implore each and every one of you to pay attention to what is happening around you.
Our democracy cannot and will not survive another four years under the Trump regime, and we must do everything we can to ensure that Donald Trump and James Vance stay as far away from the White House as possible.
Jackson Small is a columnist. Contact him at [email protected].