Republican Representative Tom Emmer offers a glimpse into Senator JD Vance's preparation for the upcoming vice presidential debate, promising a formidable challenge to Governor Tim Walz.
In an exclusive interview with ABC News, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer shared insights into his role in helping GOP vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance prepare for the highly anticipated debate against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, scheduled for Tuesday.
Emmer, who was tasked with mimicking Walz's "folksy" personality during debate preparations, revealed that he has spent the past month studying the governor's previous debate performances to accurately portray his mannerisms and rhetoric.
The Minnesota Representative explained his approach to assisting Vance, emphasizing his long-standing familiarity with Walz's political career.
Emmer stated that he has known Walz for nearly two decades and worked directly with him for four years. This experience, combined with his recent intensive study of Walz's debate style, has enabled him to provide Vance with valuable insights into what to expect during the upcoming face-off.
While Emmer refrained from divulging specific details about the mock debates, he expressed confidence in Vance's ability to perform well on Tuesday night.
According to Emmer, Vance is well-positioned to address critical issues during the debate, particularly those that contrast the current administration's policies with those of former President Donald Trump.
The Republican Majority Whip highlighted several topics he believes Vance will focus on, including the economy, border security, and international peace and stability. Emmer suggested that Vance will emphasize how the Trump administration's policies were effective in these areas while criticizing the current administration's handling of these issues. Emmer said:
Vance could talk about the economy that Donald Trump fixed and that Harris and Biden broke. He can talk about the border that Trump fixed and they broke. He can talk about peace and stability around the world, which they don't even have a clue [about]; they've caused all of this disruption.
When confronted with recent polling data indicating lower favorability ratings for Vance compared to Walz, Emmer dismissed the validity of these surveys.
The Representative rejected the notion that Vance faces likability issues, arguing that such polls are often conducted for specific purposes and may not accurately reflect public opinion. Emmer expressed confidence that voters will view him favorably as they become more familiar with Vance and his policies.
The interview touched on recent controversial comments made by former President Trump regarding Vice President Kamala Harris. When asked about Trump's remarks, Emmer avoided directly addressing the language used and instead redirected the conversation to policy issues.
The Representative also commented on Vice President Harris's recent visit to the southern border and her proposed border policies. Emmer characterized these actions as "too little too late," suggesting that they were motivated by electoral concerns rather than a genuine commitment to addressing border issues.
Representative Tom Emmer's interview provided insights into Senator JD Vance's debate preparation for the upcoming vice presidential face-off against Governor Tim Walz. Emmer expressed confidence in Vance's ability to perform well, highlighting key issues such as the economy and border security as potential debate topics. The Republican Majority Whip also addressed concerns about Vance's favorability ratings and emphasized the importance of focusing on policy issues rather than controversial rhetoric in the lead-up to the debate.
