At his first campaign stop after the vice presidential debate, Tim Walz addressed comments he made regarding his travel to China and Hong Kong during the 1989 pro-democracy protests. Walz admitted to misspeaking in 2014 when he said he was in mainland China during the Tiananmen Square protests, citing a news report that showed he was in the U.S. at the time. Despite this, Walz repeated the misinformation but corrected himself in response to a question from CBS News, clarifying that he was in Hong Kong and China in August 1989.
In addition to clarifying his travel history, Walz also addressed a verbal misstatement he made in the debate about being friends with school shooters. This moment was criticized by Republicans and former President Donald Trump, but Walz emphasized his support for school shooting victims and legislation to prevent such incidents. He also shared a personal anecdote about his teenage son witnessing a shooting, highlighting the importance of taking action to prevent gun violence. Despite the criticism, Walz’s rally in Pennsylvania was attended by many supporters who defended him.
During the rally, Walz joked about his debate performance and compared himself to former Vice President Mike Pence, with whom he served in Congress. Walz praised Pence for defending the Constitution during the 2020 election certification and criticized his running mate, Senator Vance, for stating that he would not have certified the election results. Vance’s refusal to certify the election was seen as disqualifying by Walz, who emphasized the importance of upholding democratic processes.
In response to a question about potentially challenging election results, Vance did not directly answer but expressed support for President Trump’s claims of problems during the 2020 election. He suggested debating these issues peacefully in the public square, indicating a willingness to engage in discussions about election integrity. The exchange highlighted the ongoing divisions within the Republican party regarding the 2020 election and the role of elected officials in upholding democratic norms.
The rally attendees showed support for Walz despite the controversies surrounding his statements, with one supporter pointing out that everyone makes mistakes. Walz’s ability to correct himself and address criticism was seen as a sign of honesty and integrity by his supporters, who praised his commitment to standing up for school shooting victims and defending democratic principles. The event showcased the differences in approach between Walz and Vance, highlighting their contrasting views on election certification and democratic governance.
