J.D. Vance Wins by a Technical Knockout

I am doing something a political commentator should never do: I am writing this post-debate analysis before the actual debate.

GULP!!!

Actually, if the two debaters were anyone other than Tim Walz and J.D. Vance, I would never even try to predict the outcome hours before their opening statements. However, when you have a goofy governor with Marxist views who is also a congenital liar going up against a bestselling author, Yale Law School graduate, and former Marine journalist, it could be the biggest mismatch since Larry Holmes pummeled an aging Muhammad Ali for 10 punishing rounds in 1980.

So here is my pre- and post-debate analysis, for what it’s worth…

I predict that Tim Walz will look uneasy and giggle nervously just like his presidential running mate. Also, like Kamala Harris, he will deflect direct questions and choose to go on the offensive instead, lobbing demonstrably false allegations against both Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. Among those lies will be the following: Trump and Vance want to impose a national ban on abortion; Trump and Vance wholeheartedly support Project 2025; Trump and Vance will cut Medicare and Social Security; and Trump and Vance are threats to democracy, the environment, and little old ladies crossing the street.

Amidst his salacious attacks, Walz will appear alternately angry, flustered, and unhinged… and will scowl every time Vance speaks. Meanwhile, Vance will remain calm and composed as he surgically dissects Walz’s record (and Kamala’s) and disproves their malicious lies one by one.

To me, the two keys will be (1) Vance knows what he believes, can communicate his positions effectively, and is comfortable in his own skin; and (2) Vance can also think quickly on his feet, a skill that Walz seemingly lacks.

There may not be any haymakers thrown, but I am confident that Vance will land enough body blows by the end of the debate that Walz’s handlers will be tempted to throw in the towel to save their punch-drunk candidate… the same way that Angelo Dundee, Ali’s trainer, mercifully ended his lopsided fight against the “Easton Assassin” 44 years ago.

(Was I right or was I right?!?!)