The Morning: The big debate moment that wasn't

In the wake of last night’s debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, liberals — on cable TV and X — were focused on only one thing: The exchange between the two men on the 2020 election.

If you missed it, it went like this:

WALZ: This was a threat to our democracy in a way that we had not seen. And it manifested itself because of Donald Trump's inability to say, he is still saying he didn't lose the election. I would just ask that. Did he lose the 2020 election?

VANCE: Tim, I'm focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in the wake of the 2020 COVID situation?

WALZ: That is a damning. That is a damning non answer.

It was Walz’ best moment of the debate. And Vance’s worst.

But, I am of two minds on this.

Personally, I think it is pretty damn close to disqualifying to not be able to say that Joe Biden won and Donald Trump lost in 2020. I think our democracy came under real threat in the wake of the 2020 election and, if Mike Pence had caved to the pressure he was under, we could have seen the results of a free and fair election overturned.

But, putting on my hat as a political analyst, I have to say that my view is simply not shared by voters who haven’t made up their mind about the 2024 election.

The issues those voters care about most — according to poll after poll — are the economy, abortion and immigration. “Democracy” is usually much further down the list.

And, remember that Biden premised his entire 2024 campaign on the idea that Trump represented a direct threat to American democracy.

It didn’t work. Even before the June 27 debate, Biden was losing to Trump — because swing voters were not moved by his appeals to defend democracy.

Do I wish that was different? I do. Because if we can’t say a free and fair election was free and fair, the very basis of our democracy is in jeopardy.

But, what I think isn’t what undecided voters think. And my pledge to you has always been to see things as they are in the world of politics, not as I want them to be.

If you believe in this mission — giving it to you straight no matter what — I hope you consider becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter. I need your support to continue doing this sort of journalism. Thank you.