Walz and Buttigieg Intensify Debate Preparation in Minneapolis
Tim Walz and JD Vance will go head-to-head in a vice presidential debate on October 1 in New York.
TroibNews 
Gov. Tim Walz is set to engage in another round of debate preparation on Tuesday in Minneapolis, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stepping in to portray Sen. JD Vance. This preparation comes just days before Walz and Vance face each other in what may be their final debate before the November elections.
The meeting between Walz and Buttigieg is scheduled for this afternoon in Minneapolis, as confirmed by two sources familiar with the meeting who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Alongside this preparation session, Walz has a campaign fundraiser planned in the Minneapolis area.
There have been suggestions from several Democrats that after his debate prep, Walz could continue his campaign appearances from Pennsylvania or an at-risk Republican House seat in New York in the days leading up to next Tuesday’s debate.
A spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign chose not to comment on the specifics of the preparation session, stating only that the debate would offer a “clear opportunity” for Walz to highlight the differences between Vice President Kamala Harris’ vision for the country and that of former President Donald Trump. It’s noted that Buttigieg is helping Walz in a personal capacity as they prepare for this important confrontation.
In a recent discussion with The New York Times’ Ezra Klein, Buttigieg mentioned focusing on Vance's “faux populism” and other characteristics while taking on the role of the Ohio Republican in Walz’s debate practice. For weeks, both Walz and Vance have been trading sharp and increasingly personal attacks on the campaign trail, yet the two have yet to meet face-to-face.
Vance has labeled Walz a serial “liar,” while during a campaign event in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Walz characterized Vance as a disconnected “venture capitalist,” mentioning how he rallied a crowd to boo the Federal Reserve for lowering interest rates.
Walz's debate preparation team is comprised of Biden White House alumni Rob Friedlander and Zayn Siddique.
House Republican Whip Tom Emmer, a strong critic of Walz, has been analyzing recordings of Walz’s previous debates to mimic his mannerisms for Vance’s preparation.
On Monday, Walz attended three campaign fundraisers in New York, including one hosted by Alex Soros and Huma Abedin. These events were estimated to raise between $4 million and $5 million for the campaign, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter who were not authorized to disclose such information. Walz concluded his day at a climate-themed fundraiser in Brooklyn, where he was introduced by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
During his remarks, Walz referenced a Nebraska state senator who intervened on Monday to hinder Republican attempts to convert the state into a winner-take-all Electoral College system that would favor Trump.
“We live in a world with a damn Electoral College and what it is. But I will say that for all of you are here: Thank God for that one guy out in Omaha,” Walz said, as reported by pool journalists present at the event.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
The meeting between Walz and Buttigieg is scheduled for this afternoon in Minneapolis, as confirmed by two sources familiar with the meeting who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Alongside this preparation session, Walz has a campaign fundraiser planned in the Minneapolis area.
There have been suggestions from several Democrats that after his debate prep, Walz could continue his campaign appearances from Pennsylvania or an at-risk Republican House seat in New York in the days leading up to next Tuesday’s debate.
A spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign chose not to comment on the specifics of the preparation session, stating only that the debate would offer a “clear opportunity” for Walz to highlight the differences between Vice President Kamala Harris’ vision for the country and that of former President Donald Trump. It’s noted that Buttigieg is helping Walz in a personal capacity as they prepare for this important confrontation.
In a recent discussion with The New York Times’ Ezra Klein, Buttigieg mentioned focusing on Vance's “faux populism” and other characteristics while taking on the role of the Ohio Republican in Walz’s debate practice. For weeks, both Walz and Vance have been trading sharp and increasingly personal attacks on the campaign trail, yet the two have yet to meet face-to-face.
Vance has labeled Walz a serial “liar,” while during a campaign event in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Walz characterized Vance as a disconnected “venture capitalist,” mentioning how he rallied a crowd to boo the Federal Reserve for lowering interest rates.
Walz's debate preparation team is comprised of Biden White House alumni Rob Friedlander and Zayn Siddique.
House Republican Whip Tom Emmer, a strong critic of Walz, has been analyzing recordings of Walz’s previous debates to mimic his mannerisms for Vance’s preparation.
On Monday, Walz attended three campaign fundraisers in New York, including one hosted by Alex Soros and Huma Abedin. These events were estimated to raise between $4 million and $5 million for the campaign, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter who were not authorized to disclose such information. Walz concluded his day at a climate-themed fundraiser in Brooklyn, where he was introduced by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
During his remarks, Walz referenced a Nebraska state senator who intervened on Monday to hinder Republican attempts to convert the state into a winner-take-all Electoral College system that would favor Trump.
“We live in a world with a damn Electoral College and what it is. But I will say that for all of you are here: Thank God for that one guy out in Omaha,” Walz said, as reported by pool journalists present at the event.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
