JD Vance (R-OH) the GOP vice presidential nominee, sparred with host Dana Bash in a compelling CNN interview over the weekend. Known for his somewhat straightforward style, Vance did not hesitate to voice his opinions about Democrat rivals, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

“We’re running against a set of policies that I think have failed the American people,” Vance told Bash early on. “President Trump delivered lower prices, lower inflation, a prosperous and peaceful world and also a secure border and Kamala Harris’s policies have produced the exact opposite.”

As the interview progressed, Bash challenged Vance on his portrayal of the Democrats, particularly his use of the term “weird” to describe Walz’s behavior. Vance defended his choice of words by alluding to the moment when Walz gave his wife a “nice firm Midwestern handshake” instead of a more affectionate gesture during his VP announcement, which Vance described as indicative of the Democrats’ discomfort with their policies.

“So I think that what it is, is two people, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who aren’t comfortable in their own skin because they aren’t comfortable with their policy positions for the American people. And so their name calling, instead of actually telling the American people how they’re going to make their lives better. I think that’s weird, Dana, but look, they can call me whatever they want to,” Vance explained.

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The Ohio Senator’s remarks come as a response to Democrats rallying around a statement from Walz, who, in an MSNBC interview weeks before being chosen as Harris’ running mate, called former President Donald Trump and Vance “just weird.”

The campaign trail has also heated up with Vance launching attacks over the military record of Governor Walz. Bash brought up the accusations, leading to one of the more heated moments of the discussion. However, Vance stood firm, saying, “This is a guy who was captured on video saying I carried a gun in war. He never went to war.”

“He’s a veteran of a war nodding along in agreement instead of saying ‘no, no, no, I did serve my country and I did it honorably, but I never went to a war zone.’ I’m not criticizing Tim Walz’s service,” Vance said. “I’m criticizing the fact that he lied about his service for political gain, Dana. Now I served in the United States Marine Corps and you know this. And look, there are a lot of things that I’m proud about.”

“He knew he was going to Iraq,” Vance said. “He decided to quit — to retire; whatever word you want to use … because he wanted to run for Congress. He lied about that. He said that when he decided to retire, he did not know he was going to Iraq. That is another untruth, as even his senior military officer said.”

“The truth is that Tim Walz didn’t tell the truth, and importantly, Dana, this is about Kamala Harris’ judgment.”

Vice President Harris and former President Trump are bracing for a busy week as they continue their pursuit of the White House. The two are set to face off in a highly anticipated debate on September 10, which was finalized after prolonged discussions.

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