Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller stated Tuesday that Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance should not “underestimate” Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on the debate stage.
Walz and Vance are set to face-off during Tuesday night’s first and only vice presidential debate ahead of the 2024 election, where Miller expects the Minnesota governor to show his skills in debating. The campaign adviser argued Walz presents himself differently on the campaign trail than he does during debates, where he is instead able to be a skilled politician.
Read: ERO Boston Apprehends Fugitive Wanted For Drug Trafficking In Brazil On Martha’s Vineyard
“The Tim Walz we see on the campaign trail, as he’s bouncing around and dancing and pointing to Kamala Harris and looking kinda goofy, is not the Tim Walz that shows up in debates,” Miller said. “And Kasie, I will tell you, I have watched more debate footage of Tim Walz than anyone should ever be forced to do, but here’s the thing, he’s been in office for two decades. J.D. Vance has been in official office for 2 years. But Tim Walz has been in office for 2 years, he’s good, he was in Congress, he’s in his second term as governor in the state of Minnesota, when he shows up and hits that stage, he’s disciplined, on point and he lies through his teeth.”
Read: Dozen VA Staffers Improperly Accessed Ohio Sen. Vance, Minnesota Gov. Walz Medical Records
“And that’s the thing, that most people who are tuning in tonight, or many people I should say, will not have watched Tim Walz bouncing around on the campaign stage. What they will see, is they will see Tim Walz for the first time,” Miller continued. “And he will come across very much with an awe-shucks Minnesota persona, but where he will have an issue is how he will defend his record, how does he defend Kamala Harris’ record, and to be honest, he will have to defend Joe Biden’s record as well.”
WATCH:
Republican nominee Donald Trump referred to Walz as a “moron” and argued he is highly unpopular during a Fox Nation interview on Monday. He further warned the debate will be “rigged” and “stacked” against Vance.
CNN host Kasie Hunt pressed Miller on whether a “moron” can be skilled and talented on the debate stage. Miller said Walz will struggle to defend Vice President Kamala Harris’ policy record, but knows what he is doing on the stage.
Read: CNN’s Scott Jennings Roasts Minnesota Gov. Walz After Panelist Calls Him ‘Consequential’ VP Pick
“[Walz] is well programmed because this has been his life for the past two decades. So, with all due respect to my boss, trust me. When he gets on the debate stage, Tim Walz is gonna be good, and J.D. Vance I think is gonna do very well as well, but do not underestimate Tim Walz, he can be much better than people think,” Miller said.
Hunt then pressed Miller on referring to Walz’s behavior at campaign events as “effeminate,” though the campaign adviser assured this behavior will not show up on the debate stage.
“Goofy and bouncing around. It’s not someone who comes across as this alpha male, some who’s a killer, who’s gonna be sharp and kill it on the debate stage. But that’s what we’re gonna see tonight with Tim Walz,” Miller said. “Again, not to say that J.D. Vance isn’t gonna show up and do very well, but Tim Walz will be an absolute killer. He’s not gonna be this goofy caricature of himself as we normally see when he’s on stage and doing that weird pointy thing with Kamala Harris. Tim Walz is good.”
Vance will excel at talking about the economy, the migrant crisis and Trump’s record, Miller added.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
First published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.