Fri Oct 04 05:58:34 UTC 2024: ## Yale Law Grad Vance Fails to Impress in “Debate” with Governor Walz

**By Matthew Stevenson**

The highly anticipated “debate” between Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and Democratic incumbent Governor Tim Walz failed to live up to the hype, with Vance offering a predictable performance of Trumpian talking points and dodging accountability for his client’s actions.

Vance, a Yale Law graduate and author of the best-selling “Hillbilly Elegy,” is widely seen as the legal heir to the “mob lawyer” legacy of Trump’s past attorneys, like Rudy Giuliani and Jeffrey Clark. During the televised “debate,” Vance employed tactics reminiscent of those used by previous Trump legal teams, attacking the government for charging his client with racketeering, embezzlement, and obstruction of justice while presenting Trump as a law-abiding citizen.

Vance’s defense strategy revolved around deflecting from the substance of the allegations against Trump and instead focusing on issues like inflation and immigration, issues carefully chosen to appeal to Trump’s base. However, he struggled to answer Governor Walz’s pointed accusations, particularly concerning Trump’s refusal to acknowledge his election loss and the violence perpetrated against Capitol Police officers on January 6th.

Despite the lack of substance in Vance’s arguments, the debate’s format failed to challenge him effectively. Walz, while expressing concern about the seriousness of the allegations against Trump, refrained from directly confronting Vance on his role as a legal mouthpiece for the former president.

This “debate” ultimately revealed the extent to which Trump’s lawyers are willing to disregard the facts and rely on worn-out tactics to deflect from their client’s actions. Vance’s performance showcased his willingness to be a part of Trump’s elaborate con game, perpetuating misinformation and ignoring the gravity of the charges against Trump. The ultimate outcome of this strategy, however, remains uncertain. While Vance may see himself as a rising star within the Trumpian movement, his future prospects remain tied to those of his client, who himself faces significant legal and political hurdles.

Only time will tell if Vance’s gamble will pay off, or if he will ultimately join the ranks of Trump’s past legal team, facing legal repercussions and financial ruin.

Read More