KAMALA Harris must have regrets deep down over naming Tim Walz as her running mate following the vice presidential debate, a Republican strategist has insisted.
Walz, who is known for his folksy persona, staggered through Tuesday’s showdown, making several blunders along the way.
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Republican strategist John Thomas believes Tim Walz’s performance in Tuesday’s debate hurt the Democratic ticketCredit: AP
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He speculated Harris might be having a degree of ‘buyer’s remorse’Credit: AP
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The Minnesota governor said he’s friends with school shooters, raised eyebrows by describing himself as a knucklehead, and repeated the falsehood he was in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
The Trump team appeared to downplay Vance’s chances of success before the 90-minute showdown but the Ohio Senator, 40, emerged victorious, according to snap polls conducted by CNN and CBS.
Commentators and pundits hailed Vance for his polished and slick performance.
Viewers welcomed the civility of the debate – compared to the Harris-Trump contest in September and previous Biden-Trump showdowns.
John Thomas, of the lobbying group Nestpoint Associates, praised Vance for showing discipline but warned Walz’s performance could have a detrimental impact on the Harris ticket.
“Kamala Harris has to have buyer’s remorse. She should’ve chosen Josh Shapiro,” Thomas said.
He speculated ardent left-wing Democratic activists bullied Harris into opting for Walz.
Pennsylvania governor Shapiro is Jewish and some commentators feared his selection as Harris’ running mate could’ve alienated pro-Palestinian voters in battleground states such as Michigan.
Shapiro shot down claims religion had an impact on Harris’ selection, as reported by NBC.
But Thomas believes Shapiro would’ve delivered a stronger performance against Vance.
He said the Democrat would’ve put his rival “on his heels.”
“Josh is skilled. He would’ve done infinitely better than Walz,” he said.
“Walz didn’t meet the moment. He hurt the ticket and he makes everybody question ‘Is this the person that we want in the Situation Room when he says, ‘I’m a knucklehead?”
“He cannot articulate a policy vision and he cannot defend his boss.”
TRICKY TUSSLE
Thomas said Shapiro would’ve been a formidable opponent for Vance.
“Shapiro not only would have put JD Vance back on his heels more, which would’ve made it harder, but he could’ve also spoken with more credibility,” he insisted.
“Shapiro is a very popular governor in Pennsylvania. This is the entire ball game we’re arguing over.
“Pennsylvania likely will be the make or break to decide this election.”
The strategist said Shapiro would’ve been able to hurl quick attack lines at Vance.
“He could’ve shook his head and told Vance, ‘You don’t know Pennsylvania. Let me tell you,’” he said.
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Thomas believes Walz failed to meet the moment
LEANING RIGHT
The race to the White House could not be tighter.
Polymarket suggests it’s a dead heat with Trump and Harris both having a 50% chance of winning.
Trump could take Pennsylvania, while Harris is the favorite in Nevada, Wisconsin, and Michigan, according to the prediction market.
Meanwhile, The U.S. Sun’s poll revealed the race is neck to neck with Harris and Trump even at 46% a piece.
Gallup polling suggests the political context could be favorable to the Republican Party heading into November 5.
Stats show 46% of Americans believe the GOP is the party best placed to handle the most important issues of the day.
The party has a five-point advantage over the Democrats.
Walz didn’t meet the moment. He hurt the ticket and he makes everybody question ‘Is this the person that we want in the Situation Room when he says, ‘I’m a knucklehead?’
John Thomas
Immigration and the economy are among the top issues voters flag.
The survey also found 50% of voters believe the GOP would do the best job of keeping Americans prosperous over the coming years.
Meanwhile, the Democrats are languishing at 44%.
The last time the GOP held the advantage in this polling question was in 2016 – a presidential election the party won.
More Americans also identify themselves or lean toward the GOP than the Democrats, according to the survey.
The Republican Party also holds a slender advantage when it comes to the favorability of the parties.
RAMPING UP THE ADS
With less than five weeks until Election Day, Thomas believes the Harris ticket will turn to her war chest and pound the networks with advertising.
He thinks the campaign ads are the only way Harris will be able to wrestle back the narrative.
“I think Harris’ only path is to melt your face off with advertising,” he said.
“She has to lean in on her one advantage, which is her spending advantage.
“I don’t see anything meaningful that she can do outside of advertising to move the needle.
“They’re going to lean hard on the advertising. But while that is effective, there are major news events that I struggle to see how Harris or Walz could take advantage of.”
CRISES AT HOME AND ABROAD
The US faces challenges at home and abroad – ranging from states trying to recover from the wrath of Hurricane Helene to the Middle East tinderbox.
President Biden has urged Israel not to attack Iran’s nuclear bases after Tehran unleashed a 180-missile attack on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran made a big mistake.
At home, there are fears of shortages and price hikes heading into the holiday season as East Coast ports grind to a halt thanks to thousands of dockworkers going on strike.
Trump has been visiting states ravaged by Hurricane Helene as the storm’s death toll reached over 200.
Global crises and domestic challenges allow voters to put the two presidential candidates side-by-side, according to Thomas.
“These news events are favoring Trump – the way he’s handled it so far,” the strategist said.
“It’s underscoring the broader issue, which is these are issues that are festering under Kamala Harris as vice president.”
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Shapiro would’ve been a formidable opponent, according to Thomas
