Republican JD Vance received higher marks for his debate performance, but it is Democrat Tim Walz with whom Americans would rather have a beer.
Likely voters polled by JL Partners for DailyMail.com preferred Walz over Vance when asked about a variety of activities — including who they would let watch their kids, who they would plan a road trip with and who they would have watch their pets.
The polls suggested a “deeper relatability” with Walz, despite the Minnesota governor’s uneven performance compared to Vance’s polished presentation.
At the same time, Walz slightly defeated Vance when likely voters were asked which candidate they thought was “the weirdest.”
Walz was the Democrat who called Vance and former President Donald Trump “weird,” saying at an early campaign rally with Vice President Kamala Harris, “These guys are creepy and yeah, just weird as hell.”
Republican JD Vance (left) got higher marks for his debate performance, but it’s Democrat Tim Walz (right) who Americans would rather have a beer with, as Walz is rated slightly stranger than Vance, exclusive polls for DailyMail.com shows
“These are strange people on the other side. They want to take away books. They want to be in your exam room,” the Democratic governor said during a TV interview in July.
But voters who watched Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate probably thought Walz was weird, too.
Thirty-nine percent rated Walz as the weirdest, while 38 percent said the same of Vance.
Overall, Vance was seen as the best debater, 53 percent to Walz’s 38 percent.
But voters probably also found him more annoying than the Democrat: 43 percent versus 39 percent.
Walz was seen as the funniest: 34 percent versus 26 percent.
When asked about participating in activities with the candidates, 46 percent said they would rather have a beer with Walz, while 37 percent said the same of Vance.
Despite Vance’s pro-family messages, voters would likely prefer to leave their children with Walz.
Forty-four percent said they would prefer to let the Democrat babysit, compared to 37 percent of Ohio Republicans.
That sentiment also spread to pets, with 47 percent saying they would prefer Walz as a pet, compared to 36 percent for Vance.
Both candidates are pet owners.
Additionally, the poll found that 46 percent would prefer Walz to set up a plank for them, compared to 38 percent for Vance.
And finally, 46 percent would choose Walz to plan a road trip, versus 40 percent for Vance.
“JD Vance can take a bow after his debate performance, with voters likely saying he did the best thing,” said James Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners.
But Walz, Johnson said, was “seen as relatable” because he is “still the vice presidential candidate voters would want to watch their kids, babysit their pets or have a beer compared to J.D. Vance.”
“This was not a self-destructive moment for Walz, whose approval rating improved in the minds of viewers after the debate and is seen by Harris as the right choice,” Johnson said.
