J.D. Vance emerged as the clear winner in a vice-presidential debate against Tim Walz, according to a DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners snap poll.

The debate took place 35 days before the general election, with Vance gaining support from 50% of respondents, while 43% favored Walz, and 7% remained undecided, but despite the debate's impact on perception, the event may have little influence on the overall voter preferences for the upcoming election, as the Daily Mail reported.

The on-stage clash, which aired on CBS, covered several pressing topics including abortion, immigration, gun violence, and the Middle East. Throughout the night, both candidates presented their party’s positions, but it was Vance’s performance that resonated with the majority of viewers, according to the poll of 801 likely voters.

However, despite his strong performance, the poll also showed that voting intentions remained largely unchanged. Before the debate, 46% of voters planned to vote for Trump and Vance, while 50% favored the Harris-Walz ticket.

Key Issues Debated Between Vance and Walz

Throughout the debate, Vance and Walz debated multiple issues. Vance criticized the current administration for its handling of the Middle East, stating that attacks on Israel by Iranian-backed forces occurred during Harris's tenure.

Walz, meanwhile, faced criticism for several missteps during the debate, including confusion over his role during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and a slip while discussing gun violence. Walz later admitted his mistake, clarifying that he had misspoken about his presence in China during the protests.

While Vance dodged a question regarding Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, he shifted focus to concerns over censorship, calling it a greater threat than the election itself. His comments were later fact-checked by the debate moderators, particularly around claims involving Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio.

Trump’s Active Commentary During the Debate

Former President Donald Trump was actively engaged during the debate, taking to social media to praise Vance and criticize Walz. Trump referred to Vance’s performance as "crushing it" and called Walz a "Low IQ Disaster," making sharp comparisons between Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump also took aim at the debate moderators, accusing them of bias.

Despite the fiery rhetoric, the tone of the debate itself was largely civil. While there were pointed moments of disagreement, the candidates exchanged handshakes and engaged in friendly conversations both before and after the event, surprising some viewers who had expected a more contentious affair.

Voters’ Opinions and the Debate’s Warm Atmosphere

The debate, despite being heated at times, was also described by some viewers as unexpectedly warm. One voter, reflecting on the event broadcast on CNN, referred to it as a "warm and fuzzy" debate. This civility between the candidates stood in contrast to the political tension surrounding the election.

James Johnson of J.L. Partners, who helped conduct the poll, remarked that Vance’s performance was clearly favored by the majority of respondents. "It’s clear J.D. Vance pulled off the best performance of the night," Johnson stated, adding that Vance "can take a bow" after his performance, given that most likely voters viewed him as the stronger candidate.

Walz Acknowledges Mistakes, Stresses Democracy

Tim Walz addressed his missteps during the debate. One of his more memorable moments occurred during the discussion on gun violence, where he made an off-hand comment that was quickly criticized. "I've become friends with school shooters," he said, in what appeared to be a slip of the tongue. Walz later sought to clarify his comment but acknowledged the awkwardness of the statement.

He also emphasized the importance of democracy and unity despite the political divide, saying, "The democracy is bigger than winning an election." Walz called for bipartisan efforts, even after heated debates, adding, "You shake hands and then you try and do everything you can to help the other side win."

Minimal Impact on Voter Preferences

Despite the high stakes of the debate and the attention it drew, the event had little impact on voter preferences. The poll results showed that the numbers of likely voters supporting either ticket remained consistent with pre-debate levels.

Trump and Vance retained 46% of likely voters, while Harris and Walz held onto 50%, signaling that while Vance may have won the debate, it did not shift the broader dynamics of the race.

Conclusion

The vice-presidential debate between J.D. Vance and Tim Walz, held 35 days before the general election, saw Vance declared the winner by a majority of likely voters in a snap poll. Despite this, the debate had little effect on the overall voting preferences of the electorate.

Key issues such as immigration, gun violence, and the Middle East were discussed, with Vance gaining praise for his performance. However, notable missteps from Walz and fact-checking from moderators created moments of tension.

Despite Trump’s praise of Vance and criticism of Walz, the debate was unexpectedly warm and civil. Ultimately, it did little to sway the broader electorate's voting intentions.