Walz accelerates his preparations for upcoming debate with Vance

[applegrove]

Walz accelerates his preparations for upcoming debate with Vance

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been tapped to play Vance in mock debates.

By Tyler Pager
September 19, 2024 at 5:00 a.m. EDT

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/19/tim-walz-debate-prep-vance/

"SNIP............

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, has accelerated his preparations for his Oct. 1 debate against Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), participating in policy sessions and mock debates in his home state and on the road.

Walz’s team has enlisted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to play Vance in debate rehearsals, reprising his role from four years ago when he stood in for then-vice president Mike Pence during Kamala Harris’s practice sessions, according to multiple people familiar with the debate process who requested anonymity to describe confidential preparations.

Fueled by diet Mountain Dew and dressed in casual wear — cargo pants and a T-shirt — Walz was in a Minneapolis hotel on Wednesday, practicing with Buttigieg and taking notes on a yellow legal pad, the people said. The two have not yet held a full 90-minute mock debate, although they are expected to do so closer to Oct. 1, when Walz and Vance will meet in New York City for the debate hosted by CBS News.

Strategists for both parties say vice-presidential debates rarely affect the presidential race in a significant way. But with Harris and former president Donald Trump having held their one and likely only debate instead of three, and the undercard coming five weeks before Election Day, it may carry higher stakes.

.............SNIP"

[hlthe2b]

1. Good. Buttigieg is a good choice. He's got the bigger challenge in many respects--both TSF & Vance are

pathological liars, but Vance is fast on his feet and is sociopathic, yet fully polished in his lies. Debating such pathology is not easy and unlike(often) with Trump, I think Vance has to be countered.

[applegrove]

3. Vance tells too much. I get the feeling Walz can counterpunch.

Pete is a great choice. I'm sure Walz has some zingers.

I hope Walz is schooled in this (from Heather Cox Richardson today):


"SNIP...........

The New Yorker’s Philip Gourevitch noted that “Trump has been begging officials worldwide not to do the right thing for years to help rig the election for him—no deal in Gaza, no defense of Ukraine, no Kremlin hostages release, no border deal, no continuing resolution, no interest rate cuts etc—just sabotage & subterfuge.”

............SNIP"

[ecstatic]

19. Agreed. Jd's weak spot is his complete lack of emotional

intelligence. His worst traits come out whenever he is challenged.

[EYESORE 9001]

2. Tim Walz impresses me as a fellow who won't allow BS to go unchallenged

I just hope he doesn’t get mired in countering BS, because you know shadypants is full of it.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

8. If anything, it is Tim who is armed with the FACTS.

Kamala Harris selected well in her VP voice.

Someone who knows small towns, who has remained grounded, and who has spent his life in the service of others. Tim Walz knows strategies better than anyone who has come before him in debates. When he defeated Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht in 2006, he reduced Gil to that of a crumpled suit. Tim went on the defensive in such a way, Gil could not get back on track.

Tim is aware of JD Vance's approach. The Teacher, Football Coach, Command Sargent Major, and the seasoned Legislator/Executive will shine. Tim will exude his confidence with the humility he has exhibited on the campaign trail.

[gab13by13]

4. Talk about policy all you want

The #1 topic will be how Walz responds to the accusation that he left the Guard to avoid going to active duty because that is what the MSM will cover.

[BoRaGard]

7. Nah. I'd blow that off with a short truthful answer, then move on...

"Why are you belaboring this/ The cite all the G.O.P. attacks on our military by the draft-dodger JD is submissive to, the whimp who called our soldiers "suckers and losers."

Then move on.

Let JD stew in his own shitpot.

[gab13by13]

9. What do you not understand about my post?

Tim Walz doesn't have any baggage, full stop. The only thing that Magats can do to Walz is to do what they did to John Kerry, Swift Boat him. Magats have people who served with Walz who are going to turn on him. What they did to Kerry was a lie, what they will do to Walz is a lie.

Sorry if I brought up a fact that is disturbing, it disturbs me also.

Walz is going to have to answer the question forcefully and not do a what-about-Trump response.

Someone else posted here that Walz' hearing was/is so bad that he would not have been eligible for combat anyway.

I am basing my post upon what I expect the MSM to do, maybe it will gloss over it?

[BoRaGard]

5. If you can stay in the ring sparring with Secretary Pete

you are ready for a subversive SuburbObillie.

You go, Coach.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

6. Tim is a seasoned debater.

I have seen him many times in debates and it is he who has come out the better candidate.

His Army National Guard service has come up numerous times, and each time, a non-issue. Tim would NEVER lie about that or his love of country. The fact that all JD Vance has to go on to paint Tim less than honorable or patriotic, should be disqualifying at best.

Tim will not disparage anyone's service to this country, but he has every right to counter criticism of his service. JD Vance accused Tim of leaving the Guard to run for Congress knowing before hand that part of his unit would be deployed to Iraq. THAT IS A LIE! Tim has the factual records of his request for retirement or Discharge, unknowing part of his unit would be deployed. If that comes up, Tim will pounce and set the record straight at Vance's expense.

The debate will be heated and Tim will prevail.

[gab13by13]

10. Nice post, I hope you are right.

I don't want to be criticized for what I believe that Vance will try to do to Walz, plus the MSM is not on our side.

[NNadir]

11. This is not good preparation.

Pete Buttigieg is far too intelligent to play a functional idiot like JD Vance.

[hlthe2b]

12. Nah.. Buttigieg is savvy to RWers--he's on Fox all the time and always makes them look as stupid as they are...

And Tim Walz as much or more. Walz probably needs a lot less prep than some might think, but I'm glad the two of them are going at it hard.

[NNadir]

13. I'm just kidding. Pete is the best we have at confronting right...

...wing bullshit. After all, he's from Indiana.

I want this highly intelligent young man to rise in our political world. I hope he will have a senior role in the Harris Cabinet, State or Defense.

[ms liberty]

14. It's much easier for a genius to play an idiot than for an idiot to play a genius

I've got faith in Buttigieg's ability to handle it. He understands the assignment and he's a multi-tasker.

[NNadir]

15. Agreed. As noted in response to the other post...

...Pete is one of the finest and most flexible minds we have in our party. He's fast on his feet with confronting bullshit.

[Johnny2X2X]

16. You know who the last person I'd ever want to debate is?

Someone who spent 20 years in front of high school students teaching geography and social studies. This is a guy who is more practiced at thinking on his feet than any national politician that's ever lived. And a football coach to boot, means he can perform under pressure.

[PCIntern]

18. You're right about that...

I have my own stories from teaching doctoral and post-doctoral students. It’s the same shit, different vocabulary.

[JohnSJ]

17. I think this will be as important as the VP Harris/trump debate. Vance is getting more and more vile, and his rallies

are full of lies and hate.