Jake Tapper Compliments JD Vance As ‘Slicker’ Than Tim Walz In Post-Debate Analysis: ‘Clearly The More Experienced Debater’

CNN host Jake Tapper called Republican running mate Senator JD Vance (R-OH) “slicker” than his rival Democrat Tim Walz in his conclusive take following Tuesday’s CBS-hosted vice presidential debate.

In the wake of the debate, a CNN instant poll found 51% of viewers hailing Vance as the winner versus 49% for Walz. Walz’s performance appeared to fall short of viewer expectations, as 54% had predicted a Walz victory before the debate versus just 45% for Vance.

Before that had even become clear, however, while Tapper refused to call the debate for Vance, noting that the meeting of the two was “largely kind and agreeable” as both men found some “common ground”, the host added that Vance was “clearly the more experienced debater.”

A civil debate. Despite months of rather vicious and nasty attacks between Senator Vance and Governor Walz, they tonight were largely kind and agreeable with each other. They often talked about finding common ground. They obviously held their toughest criticisms for the folks at the top of the ticket.

Vance clearly, I think it needs to be said, clearly the more experienced debater, the slicker speaker. Walz’s strongest moment perhaps came at the end there, talking about democracy. That was also, I would think, Vance‘s weakest moment all night, when he claimed that Donald Trump handed over power peacefully. Obviously not accurate.

But generally, my overall impression is that both men came to seem likable, and I think it‘s quite possible that both men achieved that task.

Watch above on CNN.