Before the Vice Presidential debate, the Democrats had been hard at work creating a false narrative about Ohio Senator and Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance. They portrayed him as someone to be suspicious of, despite his achievements.
One of the strangest claims came from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who insinuated that Vance’s rise from poverty to success after attending Yale was somehow "weird." Now, calling hard work and determination “weird” is a perplexing take on the American Dream, but it says more about Walz than about Vance.
My daughters think Vance is “hot.”
My husband says he's never heard conservatism explained in such a relatable and common-sense way.
I think Vance SLAYED. pic.twitter.com/dpSTNkjPQE
— Scarlett Johnson (@scarlett4kids) October 2, 2024
During the debate, Vance had the perfect opportunity to dismantle that strange attack, and he did so with clarity and conviction. The Democrats had painted him as some kind of brute, but Vance’s performance showed the public the truth: he’s well-spoken, intelligent, and sharp. His straightforward demeanor resonated with viewers, and the feedback on social media (particularly X) reflected that.
People liked what they saw, and despite the clear bias from some of the moderators, Vance held his ground. It was refreshing to see a vice presidential candidate who not only spoke well but demonstrated real intelligence—a stark contrast to what many had come to expect.
Harris campaign chair: "Vice President Harris believes that the American people deserve to see her and Trump on the debate stage one more time. She will be in Atlanta on October 23 – Donald Trump should step up and face the voters."
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 2, 2024
This was more than just a strong political performance, though. In addition to being capable and policy-driven, the internet quickly noticed something else—Vance’s looks. Sure, intelligence is what matters most in politics, but the reality is that being easy on the eyes can also influence voters.
In a tight race, every little factor counts, and Vance’s sharp appearance, paired with his confidence, gave him an edge. His likability undoubtedly swayed some independent voters who may have been on the fence.
On the other hand, Walz was a disaster. Throughout the debate, he seemed out of his depth, even becoming a point of ridicule as people compared him to Fred Mertz, the bumbling character from I Love Lucy. His demeanor was unsettling, and the idea of him as vice president left many feeling uneasy, to say the least. It wasn’t just his words that hurt him; his overall presence was a misstep for the Democrats. The visual contrast between the two candidates couldn’t have been clearer.