Democrats Panicked by Vance's 'Likable' Debate Performance

NBC News' Kristen Welker reports that Democrats expressed concern over the Republican vice presidential nominee's ability to connect with voters.

NBC News anchor Kristen Welker revealed that Democrats had reached out to her during the vice-presidential debate, expressing panic over the performance of Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio). Welker's comments, made on NBC's "Today" show, highlight the concerns within Democratic circles regarding Vance's potential to sway undecided voters.

"Sen. J.D. Vance clearly knew his challenge was to deal with the likability factor," Welker explained. "The fact that in our poll, he's the second most disliked running mate in history. So I was getting texts from Democrats panicked, quite frankly, who were saying, ‘Wow, he’s really moderating himself on these issues. He’s the most likable he’s ever been.'"

Democrats Panicked by Vance's 'Likable' Debate Performance

Vance's performance in the debate against Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been perceived by many media critics as advantageous for the Republican candidate. Walz, in contrast, has been described as appearing "unsteady" and "nervous," while Vance projected a more "smooth" demeanor.

Despite Vance's apparent edge in likability, Welker noted that Democrats perceived a weakness in his response to Walz's question on whether he accepted the results of the 2020 presidential election. Vance's evasion of a direct answer has been interpreted as a potential vulnerability for the Republican ticket.

Democrats Panicked by Vance's 'Likable' Debate Performance

"Yet, that moment at the end where Gov. Walz pressed him on whether he accepts whether former President Trump lost the election and he said, ‘Let’s focus on the future’ — they are going to try to make that into a flash point," Welker said.

"They’re already in the process of turning that into an ad. They believe that is going to be a way to really try to appeal to that very small sliver that is still undecided, but moderate, independent, suburban voters," she continued.

Democrats Panicked by Vance's 'Likable' Debate Performance

A Fox News focus group provided mixed reactions to Vance's response, with Republicans showing indifference while independents and Democrats reacted negatively. Liberal media pundits have highlighted the exchange as a defining moment in the debate, emphasizing Walz's strong performance in confronting Vance on the election issue.

Despite Vance's apparent success in the debate, some commentators still believe that Democrats have an opportunity to exploit his vulnerability regarding the election results. The undecided voters who remain to be swayed could be receptive to Walz's message on this issue, potentially neutralizing Vance's likability advantage.

"Vance is going home tonight with Walz's wallet. Vance didn't even have to snatch it, Walz just handed it over, along with a bunch of unearned compliments to Vance's fine character," wrote David Frum of The Atlantic.

Overall, the vice-presidential debate has raised questions about Vance's likability and the potential impact of his stance on the election results. Democrats remain concerned about Vance's ability to connect with voters, but they also see an opportunity to exploit his perceived weakness on the issue of election integrity. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of the vice-presidential race and its potential impact on the presidential election.