Ben Shapiro Praises JD Vance's Vice Presidential Debate Performance

Leading conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has praised JD Vance's performance in the vice presidential debate last night, suggesting that the Ohio Senator has shaken off accusations that he is "weird." The vice presidential debate, hosted by CBS, featured Vance going head-to-head with Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate. Viewers expected Walz to address his previous accusations that both Vance and former President Donald Trump were "weird," but instead, the debate focused on policy and was notably non-aggressive.

Shapiro characterized the debate as a win for Vance, who had a lower approval rating than Walz going into the event. He stated, “JD Vance delivered one of the great debate performances we’ve seen in modern history; it was a truly stellar performance from JD Vance.” This positive assessment came immediately after the debate on the Daily Wire Backstage podcast, highlighting Vance's ability to connect with viewers.

Vance’s performance appeared to defy expectations, as he presented himself as cool, collected, and empathetic. He articulated a strong defense of Donald Trump’s positions while maintaining a friendly demeanor towards Walz, effectively countering the narrative that he was a threatening candidate. For those who doubted his capabilities, Vance's demeanor and approach during the debate were reassuring and demonstrated his readiness for the political stage.

After the debate, CNN conducted a snap poll where viewers largely considered the event a tie, with some respondents declaring Vance the winner. According to the poll, 51% of respondents felt that Vance performed better, compared to 49% who supported Walz. Additionally, a separate poll from Newsweek indicated that Vance had indeed performed better in the debate.

Despite the significant impact of the first presidential debate that caused Biden to withdraw from the race, the vice presidential debate is not expected to dramatically alter the current political landscape. CBS found that only a quarter of viewers tuned in to gather information on their voting decisions. In fact, 71% of the audience watched to support their already selected candidate, while 61% were eager to see if the opposing side would make a mistake.

In conclusion, the vice presidential debate showcased JD Vance in a favorable light. His ability to counter negative perceptions while maintaining a calm and engaging presence may resonate well with voters as the election draws nearer. This performance, highlighted by Ben Shapiro, could be pivotal in shaping public opinion about Vance and the Trump-Vance ticket moving forward.