- Senator Vance Thinks Governor Walz Is ‘Projecting’ In His ‘Republicans Are Weird’ Attacks
As Democrats continue their rhetoric that “Republicans are weird,” Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance insists the attack is likely just “projection.”
Vance said Sunday morning that Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are “not comfortable in their own skin” and are trying to convince Americans that Republicans are the weird ones.
“They’re trying to distract from their own policy failures. I mean, look, this is basically schoolyard bullying,” Vance told CNN’s Dana Bash in an interview that aired on State of the Union. “They can accuse me or whatever they want to accuse me of.”
“I accept their attacks, but I think it’s a bit of projection.”
The Ohio senator then specifically pointed to the awkward moment when Governor Walz shook his wife Gwen’s hand on stage and tried to turn it into a half hug.
Sen. JD Vance said Democrats are ‘projecting’ with their ‘Republicans are weird’ rhetoric
Donald Trump Jr. noted the moment on X with a clip of the interaction, along with: “Perfectly normal to greet your wife with a firm handshake and a bro hug/back slap. Tim Walz is not weird at all, guys.”
And Vance also thinks the handshake is an example of Walz trying to cover up his discomfort by repeatedly calling him weird.
“When I was first announced as the vice presidential nominee, I gave my big speech and I saw my wife and I gave her a big hug and a kiss, because I love her and I think that’s what a normal person does,” Vance recalled.
‘Tim Walz named his wife, gave her a firm handshake, and then tried to correct her in an awkward manner.’
“I think they are two people, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who are uncomfortable in their own skin because they are uncomfortable with their positions vis-à-vis the American people,” Vance told Bash.
“And so they just call me names instead of telling the American people how they’re going to make their lives better,” he said. “I find that odd, Dana. But look, they can call me whatever they want.”
He pointed to the moment Democratic VP candidate Gov. Tim Walz shook his wife’s hand onstage at the first rally he appeared at last week alongside VP Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Lord Doug Emhoff, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz appear at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the day Harris announced Walz as her running mate
Walz appears to be the first to call the 2024 Republican ticket strange — focusing his attacks on Vance in particular — and that comment has now become popular among other Democrats.
Both Vance and Walz come from the Midwest and say their roots and upbringing are evidence that they know they are in tune with what matters to the average American.
Trump insisted the message was mostly about Vance, which the vice presidential nominee accepted.
But the Republican senator brushed off the attacks during a series of appearances Sunday morning.
Donald Trump Jr. posted a video of the awkward onstage handshake between Tim and Gwen Walz that turned into a sideways hug
Bash asked Vance about Trump’s reaction to the “weird” attacks, to which the former president replied, “Not me, they’re talking about JD.”
Vance laughed and replied, “I’ve been asked about that more than anyone else, no doubt.”
“But I think it’s a clear example of how they’re trying to distract from their own failed policies,” Vance added. “This is basically schoolyard stuff.”
Harris announced Tuesday that she has chosen Walz as her running mate.
The VP and Walz appeared later that evening at their first meeting together in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Walz’s awkward handshake turned into a kiss.
