Midwestern voters expressed appreciation for the tone of Tuesday night’s vice-presidential debate, which featured Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. This debate offered a chance for voters in the region to evaluate the candidates, particularly as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump selected running mates from the Midwest in efforts to secure votes in critical states. Seven Midwestern residents provided their reactions, describing the debate as a refreshing change marked by civility, even if it did not sway their voting preferences.
Latim welcomed the return of civility to the debate stage, stating, “There were some grownups in the room last night,” noting a level of respect despite the competitive nature of the discussion. He acknowledged that while he supported Harris-Walz, he found Vance to be a strong debater, especially impressed by Vance’s response to Walz discussing his son’s experience with gun violence.
Another viewer was confident that JD Vance won the debate, highlighting the senator’s performance in style and substance. In their view, this debate was significant due to its policy-driven nature, contrasting sharply with previous presidential debates.
Shana, another viewer, remained undecided but felt optimistic about the direction of American politics, appreciating the camaraderie displayed during the event. She noted that while there were moments of tension, the candidates did not devolve into hostility, which she found encouraging.
Christina, who has voted for Trump before, found value in the candidates’ respectful dialogue and their agreement on issues like gun violence, which gave her hope for potential progress.
A longtime Republican acknowledged Vance’s civil demeanor, reinforcing support for the Trump-Vance ticket while criticizing Walz for being misleading during the debate.
Kristin, a Democrat supporting the Harris-Walz ticket based on abortion rights, found Vance’s manner condescending and was not swayed by his performance, appreciating that the candidates focused more on policy rather than personal attacks.
Sainaga, a second-time voter, noted that while Vance started strong, Walz improved significantly throughout the debate. Ultimately, he deemed Walz the winner by a narrow margin, especially for his efforts to challenge Vance on critical issues like January 6.
The debate showcased a shift towards respectful discourse, and Midwestern voters are hopeful for a more civil political climate in the future.