36 Comments

Yep. Clearly the strategy for Vance tonight was to lie about his stands on issues. He almost seemed as though he was playing a Democrat. Very scary times, made scarier by Biden’/Harris’ insistence that the genocide of children is justified. Absolutely disgusting. They are playing to lose!

Expand full comment
founding

Truly frustrating. The bar is so low related to Israel, and yet Democrats just can’t bring themselves to even say that they would support an arms embargo.

Expand full comment

I really wanted Walz to draw attention to the idiocy of Vance saying Kamala did this and Kamala did that with, “I dunno, if I were Donald Trump, I think I’d be worried. It wood appear that his running mate doesn’t really comprehend the responsibilities of the office he’s seeking. He seems to be under the misguided impression that is the VP that ribs the show.”

Expand full comment

Outstanding debate analysis and conversation! Yes, disown Netanyahu!

Expand full comment

I think the strategy from both candidate's campaign directors was: don't take any risks, don't rock the boat. This made it a rather stiff and boring program (not a debate), where both sides agreed to call a momentary truce since neither wants to be blamed for their candidate's loss in November. And, anyway, debates don't have that big of an impact on elections.

In any case, I don't think Walz would have been good at going on the attack with Vance because that's not where his strength lies. So I think I agree with their calculation from a campaign strategist perspective. Vance benefited most from that strategy and it did seem to make Walz look weak, since he is best on social media and at community rallies.

These debates are just public spectacles. We can't expect much of them. This was boring. I think that was the strategy---and it worked.

Expand full comment

Have to vote for Harris/Waltz but I dream that their non-answer answers on Gaza & growing in the surrounding areas are because the cloak from current administration on Israel is too heavy. I cannot turn on a faucet without seeing small children catching drips of water from anything that is dripping.. I weep & am shrouded in guilt.. this cruelty is not human behavior even animals are better than this.

Expand full comment
founding

Yesterday's performance of the press at the debate is the reason why I support Zeteo.

Keep up the good work and keep asking the tough questions.

There was not a peep about the lives of the Palestinians and the Lebanese.

For sure I am seriously considering Dr. Jill Stein's ticket.

The lesser of the two evils still is evil. How can one knowingly vote for EVIL which is supporting the Genocide in Gaza?

Expand full comment

After I listened to Walz’ opening statements, voicing support for Israel without question or conditions, I turned it off. No more of this while Netanyahu continues his killing spree and land grab. I will not vote this November.

Expand full comment

I didn’t even get that far! Made myself some cocoa and read a murder mystery. I don’t know how long my sanity will last….

Expand full comment

Trump appreciates and approves this statement!

Expand full comment

Interesting that Vance did a 180 on his personality vibe. What was his strategy? Trying to win the woman and independent vote? Sadly, Walz was weak.

Expand full comment

That seemed to have been the course correction. Pro-family misogyny.

Expand full comment

There is no democracy. These are all puppets of the Zionist ruling class.

Expand full comment

I am seriously thinking I missed something here. When did Israel become a State of the USA? How did Henry Ford know this was going to happen when he warned us back in the 1920's about Zionism ruling and controlling power in the USA.

Expand full comment

I understand your frustration with Walz’s style of debate, Medhi. But, with respect, I think you may be looking at it more through a British than an American lens. In Britain, Oxford Union-style debate is noted for the stylish evisceration of an opponent. Question Time in Parliament is a combative, sometime withering, affair. US political culture is different and that is particularly relevant thirty days out from a National election when all of the voters influenced primarily by ideology or policy have committed. The undecideds and the persuadables are overwhelming those who choose (IF they choose) on the basis of personality and “relatableness.” On that dimension, Walz’s self-deprecation, humility and apparent search for “common ground” are decisive advantages at this late stage of the game. My guess is that Walz’s net favorable rating will rise significantly even if most surveys show division on who “won.”

Expand full comment

I was pleasantly surprised the debate was civil. That’s a positive. I thought Walz was understandably nervous in the beginning, but was able to gain more confidence as the debate progressed. I thought he was able to make some good points and was especially impressive targeting Vance with the near final question of “do you think DJT won the 2020 election.” (Though JD shirted that answer)

I AM NO FAN OF VANCE, TO SAY I AM REPULSED BY HIM IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. But, for people on the fence, he did come across fairly likeable, a good actor. I don’t think the VP debate will sway too many voters one way or another, though my fingers are crossed for WALZ.

Expand full comment

Nearly turned it off/threw up when I heard the moderators’ first question. Like saying Ukraine sent drones into Russia, without mentioning the 2 year invasion that preceded it.

Expand full comment

Thank you for this debate of the debate. I couldn't watch it past the first question. What a horror! Why must we all agree to bomb Iran? I can't and never would vote for Trump, but are Harris/Walz just going to keep sending bombs to the mideast? How does one vote for genocide? Of course Trump will continue to send bombs as well. I think there are many more people who feel as I do, and we are not the lost voter demographic of Muslims and the young. That the Democrats could lose is a very real possibility, and they've done it to themselves.

Expand full comment

Okay two things ACA:

The republicans pulled some serious teeth out of the affordable care act … was it single payer?… that would have saved allot of money… they took it to court several times,

and

though folks mention pre existing conditions they forget about Life Time Caps… madness, reoccurring disease, sorry, you topped out on breast cancer, or whatever. A better argument could have been made here.

Also: what happened to infrastructure week? Republicans, Vance, talks about on-shoring manufacturing, infrastructure is critical to that.

“President Trump and I care about air & water”? Is that a policy proposal?

Building houses on National land without near by schools, towns, jobs?

And no fact checking? Why the heck not… why not immediately afterwards blow by blow per candidate?

Hello America, let’s do this.

Expand full comment