Vice-presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) has refused to agree to a debate with Republican vice-presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) any time soon, only agreeing to CBS News’ debate that will happen very close to the election.
After being given multiple options for the date of the debate, Walz chose October 1 — which comes after early voting begins in several states.
Despite this fact, Walz made a big deal out of the decision in a post on X.
“See you on October 1, JD,” he wrote, responding to a post from CBS News listing all four of the possible dates for the debate.
See you on October 1, JD. https://t.co/ssi0FdseN9
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 14, 2024
Despite Walz’s best efforts at acting like Vance was scared to debate him, the Republican senator happily accepted the challenge — then upped the ante, calling for a second debate that would be much sooner and would give voters more time to consider their choices.
“The American people deserve as many debates as possible, which is why President Trump has challenged Kamala to three of them already. Not only do I accept the CBS debate on October 1st, I accept the CNN debate on September 18th as well,” Vance wrote.
“I look forward to seeing you at both!” he added.
The American people deserve as many debates as possible, which is why President Trump has challenged Kamala to three of them already. Not only do I accept the CBS debate on October 1st, I accept the CNN debate on September 18th as well. I look forward to seeing you at both! https://t.co/63FyI99dKU
— JD Vance (@JDVance) August 15, 2024
Walz has refused to agree to the September 18 debate, with the Harris campaign releasing a weak statement that the “debate about debates is over.”
Social media quickly ridiculed the Harris-Walz campaign for their initial “tough talk” about debating that ended up being all talk, no action.
Republican strategist and former Vance campaign senior adviser Andy Surabian deemed Walz a “liar and a coward,” as the Harris-Walz campaign only committed to two presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate, all with Democrat-friendly networks.
“Wait, so after all the tough talk from @Tim_Walz claiming he is excited to debate @JDVance, he is backing down and refusing to accept a 2nd VP debate on CNN?” Surabian asked in a post on X.
“Guess he is really leaning into his brand of being both a liar and a coward!” he added.
Wait, so after all the tough talk from @Tim_Walz claiming he is excited to debate @JDVance, he is backing down and refusing to accept a 2nd VP debate on CNN? Guess he is really leaning into his brand of being both a liar and a coward! https://t.co/28Z67yVXIw
— Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) August 15, 2024
Vance also mocked Walz’s cowardice, playing on his ongoing ‘Stolen Valor’ scandal by quipping: “Tim Walz refuses to deploy!”
“In all seriousness, if you want to be the VP of the United States, you should make your pitch directly to the American people. A debate is an opportunity to take your case to voters without a teleprompter or a script. Can’t imagine why anyone would say no,” Vance, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, added in a follow-up post.
In all seriousness, if you want to be the VP of the United States, you should make your pitch directly to the American people.
A debate is an opportunity to take your case to voters without a teleprompter or a script. Can't imagine why anyone would say no.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) August 15, 2024
