Rachel Maddow says JD Vance was “polished and very skilled” but “Tim Walz beat him” in the VP debate

During MSNBC’s post-vice presidential debate coverage on Tuesday, Rachel Maddow noted that JD Vance is “much more skilled” and a “much more practiced type of professional debate speaker.”

“And the other candidate won,” she added, referring to Vance’s opponent, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Particularly given the context of this election, which, according to Maddow, is the first since the overturn of Roe v. Wade is.

“There was a bad moment for Tim Walz in this debate,” Maddow acknowledged, “where he became confused and embarrassed while answering a question about what exact month he was in connection with the protests on the court of Tiananmen had stopped in China.” But then on weapons, on January 6th, the border, back on health care, on abortion, on all the issues, on the content, JD Vance was very polished and very skilled, and Tim Walz beat him in all key respects.”

Then she realized what she described as “a very blunt, very easy to refute lie”…that’s going to be real trouble. JD Vance supported a national abortion ban. JD Vance states bluntly on record and on tape: “I want abortion to be illegal nationwide.” His actual quote was: “I definitely want abortion to be banned nationwide.” 1727849398 I said I never supported a national abortion ban. “If that’s the case, you’ll never touch it in your campaign, especially…” she added, “in the first presidential election since the overturn of Roe vs. Wade.”

Maddow’s fellow MSNBC hosts expressed similar criticisms. Nicole Wallace said Vance’s first appearance involved him “building an intricate and beautiful fort out of toothpicks.” And it was perfect. And he ended up sneezing on it, the whole thing fell apart and he had to leave the room because of the broken toothpicks.”

She was referring to the moment at the very end, when the topic turned to the election itself. Vance was asked whether he would commit to recognizing the election results regardless of who won, specifically citing his Vice President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results. Not only did Vance not want to say “yes,” he also repeatedly refused to admit that Trump lost the election and even minimized the January 6, 2021 attack.

Vance also tried to misdirect the conversation by claiming that Trump had “peacefully” transferred power on January 20, 2021, ignoring that Trump had completely refused to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration.

“No matter how you look at it, if you can’t say what happened in 2020 and the only reason you’re there is because what actually happened in 2020 is because Donald “If Trump sent his supporters to hang Mike Pence,” Wallace added, “then you lose.”

Chris Hayes, meanwhile, agreed that this was significant, adding that it was particularly egregious when Vance claimed that Trump “peacefully transferred power on January 20th.” Corpses and blood on the Capitol. We actually succeeded 14 days later and he didn’t show up for the transfer of power.”

“What kind of alternate universe this happened in? I would like to visit. It seems nice and a lot less violent,” Maddow joked in response.

“He could answer the question ‘Did Trump lose the election?’ don’t answer. A blatant lie is still a lie,” Joy Reid interjected. “Yes, JD Vance is incredibly smooth. But he said number one: Nothing memorable. There is nothing reductive about what he said. It was all just blatant, meaningless lies.”

There are many more. Watch the whole thing below: