Even Leftist Media Think Vance Won The VP Debate

Following the vice presidential debate on Tuesday night, many in the legacy media were forced to admit that Republican VP candidate JD Vance won the night against Democrat nominee Tim Walz.

While many in the media declared Walz the winner, others acknowledged Vance’s grasp of the issues and Walz’s shaky performance.

Jonathan Karl of ABC, for example, said “Walz did seem unsteady and, frankly, what I saw in Walz is somebody who has not faced questions on a national stage.”

“In contrast, JD Vance was very smooth. He took the arguments … to Kamala Harris,” Karl added.

“Walz did seem unsteady and, frankly, what I saw in Walz is somebody who has not faced questions on a national stage,” says @jonkarl.

“In contrast, JD Vance was VERY smooth. He took the arguments … to Kamala Harris.”

???????????? pic.twitter.com/BpQz6RhUOt

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 2, 2024

Abby Phillip of CNN had a similar comment, saying “JD Vance came to this debate to land a bunch of punches — and he did. … Walz did not seem prepared for it.”

Even known Trump hater @abbydphillip of CNN admits JD Vance CRUSHED Tampon Tim tonight…

“JD Vance came to this debate to land a bunch of punches… and he did. Tim Walz DID NOT seem prepared for it.” pic.twitter.com/1W91s9qkjP

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 2, 2024

CNN’s Jake Tapper also said after the debate: “If one were just going by traditional debate scoring … JD Vance would’ve won the night. He just was more polished, he was more clean, he pivoted more effectively.”

WATCH: @jaketapper to @SenAmyKlobuchar: “If one were just going by traditional debate scoring…JD Vance would’ve won the night. He just was more polished, he was more clean, he pivoted more effectively.” pic.twitter.com/JoonuKBzOj

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) October 2, 2024

ABC’s Linsey Davis compared Walz’s performance to that of President Joe Biden’s in June, which led to Biden dropping out of the race.

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“It kind of reminded me of the June 27^th debate when Kamala Harris that night said of Joe Biden ‘it was a slow start but a strong finish,’” Davis said, before adding that “JD Vance needed to come away as that humble, likable guy from Hillbilly Elegy — [and] it seemed like he did.”

ABC’s Linsey Davis says Walz’s debate performance was reminiscent of Biden’s humiliating performance in June.

Will Tampon Tim do the right thing and drop out of the race due to sheer embarrassment and incompetence? pic.twitter.com/Sf2kaiLaZb

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 2, 2024

Tom Llamas with NBC was forced to ask Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) following the debate: “Does Gov. Walz have a problem with the truth?”

NBC: “This is the 3rd or 4th time that he’s said something that hasn’t been true… Does Governor Walz have a problem with the truth?”

Kamala surrogate Amy Klobuchar: “No.” pic.twitter.com/HGYZmcGI37

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 2, 2024

CNN’s John King also noted that Vance won on the most important issues of the campaign: the economy and immigration.

“On those two issues, Vance carried it,” King said, after noting that Vice President Kamala Harris is polling at a deficit on those same issues.

KING: “Vance carried it” on the top two issues of the race: the economy and immigration. pic.twitter.com/vILQsYBgRs

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 2, 2024

Print media also had to hand it to Vance, with POLITICO writing, “Vibe check: JD Vance is doing really well tonight.”

One Democrat strategist tried to explain away the problem by saying Walz is “a regular guy against a slick politician.”

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow attempted the same explanation, saying Vance was much “slicker,” “more practiced” and a more “professional debate-style speaker.” She then claimed Walz won the debate and the only “bad moment” for Walz was when he was forced to explain why he lied about being in China during the Tiananmen Square massacre.

The problem for the strategist and Maddow is that Vance has only been in politics since 2022, while Walz has been in politics since 2006 and has had more debate and interview experience.

Maddow: JD Vance is a “slicker” speaker only because he, who entered politics like four years ago, has more experience speaking in debates than the 12-year-congressman, current governor of Minnesota.

Another MSNBC #HotTake I didn’t know I needed, but I did. https://t.co/80eXoGsfal

— Ace of Spades (@AceofSpadesHQ) October 2, 2024

Other media outlets also called the debate for Vance, including the BBC, which said: “the even-tempered, policy-focused debate, with few political body blows, probably served Vance – a polished public speaker – best in the end.”

Slate also noted that “Vance won the debate,” though it went on to claim Walz had the best clip of the night during a question about January 6, 2021.

The Washington Post wrote that “Walz struggled,” while The New York Times explained: “Mr. Vance looked polished throughout. Mr. Walz spoke haltingly, especially at the start, taking a series of verbal stutter-steps before getting to his point.”

Whether or not these performances will help or hurt their respective campaigns remains to be seen.

RELATED: Top Pollster Predicts Vance’s Debate Performance Will Sway Undecided Voters