Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz fumbled a response about school shootings during Tuesday night’s debate against JD Vance, saying he’s become “friends” with the shooters.
The moderators asked Walz how he changed his mind about banning “assault weapons” over his career.
“I sat in that office with those Sandy Hook parents. I’ve become friends with school shooters. I’ve seen it,” Walz said.
Pollsters, pundits and politicians immediately panned Walz for the embarrassing gaffe.
“’I’ve become friends with school shooters’ may be the worst line in any 2024 debate,” said political pollster and consultant Frank Luntz.
Fellow pollster Patrick Ruffini was nonplussed.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News. AP
“See, this is useful,” floated Fox News contributor Guy Benson. “Walz saying he’s become friends with school shooters, when he meant victims, is an innocent misstatement.
“Repeatedly lying about his military rank, his DUI, IVF and Hong Kong/Tiananmen Square are not innocent misstatements.”
“I’ve become friends with school shooters” may be the worst line in any 2024 debate. #VPDebate
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) October 2, 2024
National Review Contributor Andy McCarthy pushed back.
“Walz obviously misspoke, he didn’t mean he’d become friends with school shooters.