That was a masterly performance from beginning to end. J. D. Vance was superb on substance, and his tone was excellent — firm without being overbearing.
He kept bringing the discussion back to the economy and prices, to Trump’s successes in office, and to the fact that Harris is the sitting vice president. He was superb on the border and won the exchange with Margaret Brennan — who wasn’t supposed to be a participant — over the CBP One app, which, outrageously, led to his mic being cut. He was also very deft when playing defense on abortion and January 6 (the January 6 exchange was his worst of the night, but that’s more Trump’s fault than his).
It was the best debate performance I can remember, perhaps going back to Obama in 2008 or Clinton in 1992.
It didn’t hurt that Walz was completely pathetic, but Vance still put on a master class.