77ph Vance vs. Walz: The Debate Reviews Are In
To the Editor:
Re “Civility and Then a Clash Over Jan. 6: Seven Takeaways From the Debate” (news article, nytimes.com, Oct. 2):
Here is my assessment of the vice-presidential debate: First, kudos to both men for a degree of civility. Second, kudos to both men for some substance.
Who won? Those viewers who believe they learned something about the character and positions of each candidate.
JD Vance was a smooth-talking persuader. His fabrications and exaggerations were obvious, but his delivery was measured. No sensible American believes that his past scathing opinion about Donald Trump has really changed. Mr. Vance will need to decide how much of his true self will be sacrificed in order to serve Mr. Trump.
Tim Walz was a football coach, and sought ways to justify the hyperbole he has been guilty of occasionally, but not always succeeding. But who really cares if he went to China in August rather than June 1989, the time of the Tiananmen Square massacre? He won on matters of authenticity, reflecting the substance of a Minnesota Lutheran, you betcha.
At the end of the debate, with one inning to go, Mr. Vance was leading 4 to 2. Mr. Walz had the last at-bat. He asked Mr. Vance a question about who won the 2020 election, which Mr. Vance refused to answer. It was the most significant question of the debate. Mr. Walz faced the pitcher, took a mighty swing and hit a grand slam. Game over.
(Rev.) Richard B. GeibGettysburg, Pa.
To the Editor:
JD Vance won the vice-presidential debate on both substance and aesthetics. He was calm, pleasant and assured throughout. He showed an excellent grasp of policy, a quick mind, a good memory and a willingness to see other points of view and adapt.
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