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LAST NIGHT, AMERICA WON
boblonsberry.com ^ | 10/02/2024 | Bob Lonsberry

Posted on 10/02/2024 7:02:26 AM PDT by shortstop

America won.

J.D. Vance and Tim Walz reminded us that we could be passionate and polite, that our disagreements could be civil, that our politicians could be intelligent, that our politics could be patriotic. It was a reminder of who we are and how we move forward.

Both men showed that they are more intelligent and decent than their running mates, and that partisan and philosophical disagreement can be congenial and cordial. It was almost a relief, like the burden of contention was temporarily lifted from the nation’s shoulders, like the grownups were back in charge.

And J.D. Vance was brilliant.

Absolutely brilliant.

He was thoughtful, knowledgeable, unwavering, genial, and never at a loss for either facts or words. He was an intelligent man explaining what he believed and why, and what his ticket would do if it was elected. He expressed courtesy and admiration for people with whom he disagreed, he was never rude to either his opponent or the moderators, and he was humble and self-deprecating in regard to himself and his party.

And he was right.

What he expressed and stood for was not only cogent, it was true. He articulated not just the beliefs of his party, but the best path forward for our country. He held up his party’s principles, and invited the nation to embrace them.

And he held Kamala Harris to account without exposing her to disrespect. There was no ridicule or mockery, but there was accountability, and the clear, powerful vision of the Republican Party on its best days.

And Tim Walz was honorable and dignified in defeat.

The debate was won by J.D. Vance, that’s really undeniable. But that wasn’t because Tim Walz did poorly or failed, Vance was just of a different order of magnitude. Yes, Walz dealt awkwardly with his decades-long misstatement of where he was during the Tiananmen Square demonstrations, and the economy and the border left him holding a weaker hand, but he did well nonetheless, presenting himself and his platform in a good light, and members of his party should be proud of him.

Public knowledge of both men should now poll higher, and so should public approval. Both of them deported themselves well and were a credit to their respective tickets. They also showed that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris had done a good job in their selection of running mates.

The lone embarrassments of the night sat behind the moderators’ desk.

The CBS interrogators were so biased, so in the bag for the Democratic Party, as to be somewhere between laughable and contemptable. ABC was horribly slanted toward the Democrats in the debate between the presidential candidates, and CBS outdid even that. The topics and questions almost exclusively highlighted Democrat strengths and Republican weaknesses, the questions to Vance were largely mocking and derisive, the moderators repeatedly arguing against him as if they were participants in the debate.

But he didn’t rise to the bait.

J.D. Vance was a gentleman throughout, and so was Tim Walz.

Republicans and Democrats should both be pleased, and encouraged. In front of a large national audience, both parties put their best foot forward and were represented by gentlemen who could with sincerity shake hands as colleagues when the evening was done.

As a Republican, I was grateful for the performance of my candidate. As a father, I was grateful that my children could see how it’s supposed to be. As an American, I was grateful for this reminder of civility and competence.

Going forward, no matter who wins, I feel better about America’s prospects for the next four years. And I hope this example is followed by others. Commentators and flamethrowers on social media criticized both men for failing to draw blood; Walz was particularly criticized by progressive commentators. Division gives power to the parties and the press; civility gives power to the people. I hope the dark spirit which has permeated American politics of late can be dispelled.

I hope we can have more of what we had last night.

Because, last night, America won.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: boblonsberry; debate; lonbobsberry; moderators; walz

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I disagree that Kamala Harris did a good job in her selection of a running mate.
1 posted on 10/02/2024 7:02:26 AM PDT by shortstop
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To: shortstop

This debate was like what debates used to be in olde tyme America - respectful, dignified, and polite.


2 posted on 10/02/2024 7:05:10 AM PDT by nwrep
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To: shortstop

Being congenial works in the favor of the Democrats. It puts them on the same level as conservatives for the short time of the campaign. Behind closed doors they revert to their true selves: nasty, evil, mean and power hungry.


3 posted on 10/02/2024 7:06:45 AM PDT by oldplayer
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To: shortstop

We won in all the debates if we consider that the complete dishonesty and lack of intellect of our media so-called “talent” has been put in full display. I am truly baffled how folks such as these managed to succeed in a world that has true talent and intelligence.


4 posted on 10/02/2024 7:07:36 AM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: shortstop

I watched with a friend. My friend thought Vance missed too many chances to make a strong point, & was really unhappy with his performance. I thought it was pretty much a lackluster debate - no clear winner. Interesting to see the variety of opinions about it.


5 posted on 10/02/2024 7:08:45 AM PDT by Twotone ( )
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To: nwrep

If only we could get the moderators to not be one-sided.


6 posted on 10/02/2024 7:09:57 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: shortstop

Don’t praise a pedo for anything, dude.


7 posted on 10/02/2024 7:10:23 AM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
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To: shortstop

Opinions are like *ssholes, everybody’s got one.


8 posted on 10/02/2024 7:12:11 AM PDT by old school
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To: old school

opinions are like butts

everyone has one

but some are better than others


9 posted on 10/02/2024 7:13:16 AM PDT by joshua c
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To: shortstop

I saw Shapiro of Pa on Neil Cavuto and find him even less likable than Walz.

We have ceded total ground on social issues and Walz and Harris come off moderate, not radical.

Harris’ biggest failures have not been as VP but as leader of San Francisco and California. She’s never had to answer for the horrible conditions of CA.


10 posted on 10/02/2024 7:14:18 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: Twotone

I agree with you and your friend.


11 posted on 10/02/2024 7:14:43 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: shortstop

“Going forward, no matter who wins, I feel better about America’s prospects for the next four years.”

___________________________________________

No matter who wins? That’s ridiculous.


12 posted on 10/02/2024 7:16:34 AM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: shortstop

No, it didn’t. Look what SOB Biden did Monday.

Biden expands refugee admission to foreign nationals from multiple continents
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_825db82c-800b-11ef-8a1b-f78c41e069e0.html


13 posted on 10/02/2024 7:16:42 AM PDT by OftheOhio (wth)
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To: Twotone
“My friend thought Vance missed too many chances to make a strong point . . .”

I wanted Vance to clobber that man but he didn't (clobber him enough).

However, Vance did what he set out to do and did so magnificently. Vance now towers over Kamala’s choice; no comparison on issues, honesty, and intellect.

14 posted on 10/02/2024 7:16:49 AM PDT by jeffersondem
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To: nwrep

There is nothing respectful, dignified, and polite about slaughtering unborn children in the womb, gender transition surgeries and puberty blockers for minors, forcing people away from natural gas in disaster/outage prone areas, and turning the beautiful city of San Francisco into one big homeless encampment and crime den, which Kamala Harris did.


15 posted on 10/02/2024 7:18:14 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: shortstop

ID was smoooooth. Dude is all right in my book. Very impressed.


16 posted on 10/02/2024 7:18:47 AM PDT by Hammerhead
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To: shortstop

America needs to win more on election day of course. Time will tell....we shall see as usual.


17 posted on 10/02/2024 7:20:36 AM PDT by xp38
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To: shortstop
And Tim Walz was honorable and dignified in defeat.

...and then went home and smacked his kid.

18 posted on 10/02/2024 7:21:08 AM PDT by LittleBillyInfidel (This tagline has been formatted to fit the screen. Some content has been edited.)
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To: shortstop

Wish Vance had countered two false claims - that Capitol Hill officers died after J6, and the false “Project 2025” association. Otherwise I think he did great.


19 posted on 10/02/2024 7:22:42 AM PDT by LizzieD
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To: Twotone

TwoTones,
I listened to the radio version. I thought it was fairly lackluster and slightly in Vance’s favor. Walz had a few really poor moments which tip the balance.

BUT, women generally are not as impressed with logical, practical and factual points as they are by the emotional sensitive arguments. Walz certainly is emotional and sensitive. Vance made his points without seeming insensitive. AND, it is the “undecided” female block that will determine the outcome at this point.


20 posted on 10/02/2024 7:24:41 AM PDT by oldplayer
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