Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who ignored debate preparation, shouldn't underestimate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ahead of Tuesday night's showdown, fellow former North Star state lawmaker warns .
And he should know — when he played the governor in practice for the Republican gubernatorial debate, he needed to be Waltz.
Tuesday night will be the first and perhaps only time the vice presidential candidates will argue before the election. Mr. Walz, 60, was key to framing the Democratic rhetoric surrounding Donald Trump and Mr. Vance as “bizarre,” but Mr. Vance, 40, has criticized Kamala for his claims of stolen valor. – Attacked Harris' vice presidential candidate.
Marty Seifert, former Minnesota House minority leader and gubernatorial candidate in 2010 and 2014, has a unique perspective on Walz's skills. Two years ago, he served as a Democratic stand-in for defeated Republican challenger Scott Jensen in debate preparation.
In a phone call with the Post, he said Walz was trying to appeal to the average voter Tuesday night and predicted that Vance would lose if he stuck to his planned talking points.
But that may be what Republicans are planning. As the Post reported last week, Vance publicly ignored preparation for the debate, saying, “We have well-developed views on public policy, so we don't need to prepare as much.”
Mr. Seifert urged Mr. Vance to avoid personal attacks and focus on the essence and most importantly, “average Americans.”
“He needs to talk about Central America in the mainstream, not the extremes,” he advised.
“Vance has a chance if he knows how to use it.”
For example, Minnesota had the largest surplus in state history, which was spent and taxes were raised under Walz's leadership.
Most of the state's $17.5 billion surplus in 2023 was used One-time funding for new and existing programs such as child tax credits, tax rebates and exemptions, free college tuition, and green energy.
“It's not a place for normal people, and I think if there's a surplus, there needs to be moderation,” Seifert pointed out.
Walz's response to the George Floyd riots in the Twin Cities is another weakness Vance exploits, Seifert said, as Walz has been criticized for being slow to respond to the riots. This is something that the author of Hillbilly Elegy previously pointed out.
Seifert joked, “I'm probably the only guy in the state to play Tim Walz,” and he's not ashamed of it. To play a character convincingly, he said, “you have to study and evaluate the character. I certainly tried to play my role.”
Republicans said they respect Walz and have a friendly relationship with the former teacher. “He earned his way, worked hard and got there,” Seifert added, adding that he also got a few breaks by being in the right place at the right time.
“I've been studying Tim Walz for years,” the former congressman said, noting that some Minnesota Republicans can't get past their dislike of Walz to see his talent. did.
“They underestimate him every time he runs.”
“I saw him at the parade where he ousted a member of Congress for 12 years. He was walking with 100 people and talking on a bullhorn about how we need to get out of the Iraq war.” Seifert recalled.
“I thought, 'This guy's going to win.' And I've been watching him ever since as he's put out one Republican after another.”
Seifert's warning echoes those of Minnesota Republicans interviewed by the newspaper when Harris selected Walz as her running mate.
“He's a good speaker and a good debater. I wouldn't take it. [him] It's a bit light, but it's true,” said former Minnesota businessman Cal Brink. he said in early August.
“Bring popcorn to the debate with J.D. Vance,” Jen Dejournette, president of Minnesota Ballot Box Strategies, said at the time, saying she was more concerned about the vice presidential debate than the Trump-Harris showdown. I predicted that the meeting would be much more interesting.
As a lawmaker, Walz can boast support from the National Rifle Association, reflecting southern Minnesota's more moderate stance during his time in Congress, Seifert said.
By comparison, Mr. Walz's time as a governor has “remained a little more moderate.”
Mr. Seifert, whose district is close to Mr. Walz's congressional district, said there is a joke in southern Minnesota that “the only moderate thing about Walz is his hair.''
The former lawmaker believes emphasizing social issues is another losing debate strategy, stressing that Vance should focus on the economy and borders.
“At the end of the day, their discretionary disposable income is the standard by which they judge the economy,” Seifert reiterated, referring to average Americans.
Vance's rebuttal to Walz's appeal to middle America should be simple, Seifert said. “The cost of living is too high and our borders are out of control. We can do better. We have a plan.”
Based on an average of 538 votes, Vance has a net favorability rating of +11.3, compared to Walz's net favorability rating of +3.7.
