08/11/2024 --axios
Sen. JD Vance consumed the television lineup Sunday, taking aim at Democratic VP nominee Tim Walz while still defending the "childless cat ladies" attacks that plagued his rollout as former President Trump's running mate.Meanwhile, Democratic surrogates rallied behind Walz as Vance and Republicans scrutinize his military record, arguing he overstated his service.Here's what you may have missed when newsmakers hit the airwaves this Sunday, August 11.1. Vance responds to "weird" label: it's "schoolyard bully stuff" GOP VP nominee JD Vance speaks on CNN's "State of the Union."Vance, in one of three Sunday television appearances, responded to Walz's jabs labeling him and his running mate as "weird," claiming the Democratic ticket isn't "comfortable in their own skin."Why it matters: Walz, in a now-viral moment, dubbed Vance and Trump as "just weird" in an MSNBC appearance. Weeks later, he was named Harris' running mate.The Ohio Senator has gone on the offensive in recent days, shadowing Harris and Walz on the campaign trail.Driving the news: "This is fundamentally schoolyard bully stuff," Vance said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday. "They can accuse me of whatever they want to accuse me of."Vance also shot back, suggesting the messaging is "a little bit of projection," targeting Walz for giving his wife a "nice, firm Midwestern handshake" after a speech."He acted weird ... on a national stage in front of his wife and in front of millions of Americans who presumably were watching at home," Vance added.Zoom out: Vance also took his moment in the Sunday show spotlight to discuss policy goals of a Trump-Vance White House, telling ABC's Jonathan Karl the ticket would take a "sequential approach" to its goal of deporting millions of immigrants."Let's start with 1 million. That's where Kamala Harris has failed — and then we can go from there," Vance said.Vance also faced questioning on Trump's approach to abortion policy following a comment the former president made during his Thursday press conference that suggested he may be open to restricting abortion pill access through federal regulations.Vance, noting the question that prompted Trump's response was asked in "a loud room where he couldn't hear the question super well," said on CBS's "Face the Nation," "States sometimes are going to make these decisions for themselves, and I think that's how you find some common ground."He echoed that stance on CNN, saying, Trump "wants to provide some ground for us to come together, for states to make these decisions, for voters to make these decisions, and for us all to respect one another."2. Charlamagne tha God: Harris has "super main character energy" Radio host Charlamagne tha God discusses the state of the race on ABC's "This Week."Charlamagne tha God, co-host of iHeart Radio's "The Breakfast Club," applauded Harris' forceful emergence on the campaign trail but warned "the job is not done yet."The big picture: The influential radio personality endorsed Biden in 2020 — but did so because of the president's VP pick, who now helms the Democratic ticket."I don't think it's a honeymoon phase," he noted in an ABC "This Week" interview that aired Sunday. "I just think people haven't been energized in the Democratic party in a long time."Before Biden and Trump faced off in the debate that sent the Democratic party spiraling and launched calls for the president to bow out of the race, Charlamagne said that Biden, who he asserted has "no main character energy," should avoid debating the GOP nominee.Yes, but: Charlamagne said Harris "does need to do more interviews.""I mean, it's the bottom of the ninth inning, right?" he said. "Like, I feel like she should be any and everywhere, you know, having these conversations."Harris has yet to sit for a formal media interview since launching her campaign, but she told pool reporters Thursday she hopes to have an interview scheduled before the end of the month.3. Democrats defend Walz from attacks on military record Rep. Jason Crow speaks to Shannon Bream on "Fox News Sunday."The GOP has leaned into attacks on Walz's military record, targeting him over the timing of his retirement from the Army National Guard after more than two decades of service and assertions he embellished his career.What they're saying: Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, said on "Fox News Sunday," "There's really very few things that sadden me more when you see a veteran maligning and attacking falsely another veteran."Vance has doubled down on attacks on Walz's retirement and claims that he embellished his wartime service. Pressed over criticism Walz has received from some Guardsmen over his departure, Crow contended that those who served alongside Walz "overwhelmingly" reported he "served with distinction.""I don't know what's motivating these folks that have spoken out; I'm sure there's some kind of personal grievance there," he continued. "But overwhelmingly, people who served with Tim Walz know what type of person he is."Zoom out: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve and served in Afghanistan, also struck back, saying on CNN's "State of the Union, "Remember, you can retire at 20 years — Tim Walz served for 24."More from Axios' Sunday coverage:Harris-Walz make "a hell of a team," Biden says reflecting on race exitVance leans into pro-family policy to spin his past "cat ladies" comments
