Vice Presidential Debate

Yesterday, October 1, debate was between Democratic VP Candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Republican VP Candidate Ohio Senator JD Vance. 

After a long time I saw a decent and civil debate. Both candidates shook hands at the start. At the conclusion, both candidates’ wives came on the stage to be with their husbands and shook hands. (Vance’s wife Usha is of Indian origin.) Even during the debate, both candidates agreed with each other on some points. 

Here is my personal report card. 

JD Vance A 

Tim Walz B minus 

Mr. Vance was strong on immigration and economy. Mr. Walz was strong on abortion. 

Mr. Vance goofed when asked if he was in Mike Pense’s place will he refuse to certify the 2020 election results. He had problem answering that question and finally gave a slick answer that he will obey the President. 

Mr. Walz finally said he lied when he said he was in Hong Kong when the Tiananmen Square protest was taking place. 

This debate reminded me of Kennedy-Nixon debate. Vance (like Kennedy) was at ease and Walz (like Nixon) was nervous. During the debate Vance was looking at Walz when Walz was speaking. But when Vance was speaking Walz was taking notes seriously. 

As with every other network (except Fox News), the moderators were siding with Democrat Walz and the 3 ganged up on Vance. The moderators fact checked Vance several times and when he tried to reply, they cut off his mike. 

Vance again and again pointed out what Trump failed to do during his debate with Kamala. Kamala was telling she will do this and do that on the very first day in the office. During yesterday’s debate, Vance mentioned several times “you are in power for the past 3.5 years and why you did not do these. If you want to you can do them today and not wait for you to win”. 

The moderators deliberately did not ask Walz why as Governor of Minnesota, he ordered tampons be placed in the boys’ bathroom. (Republicans making fun of him by calling him Tampon Tim.)

Happy 100th Birthday

39th President of the United States (1977 to 1981) celebrates his 100th birthday day today, October 1. Happy Birthday Mr. President. He and his family are celebrating today in his hometown. 

He is a Democrat. Mr. Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He served as a Commander in the U.S. Navy Submarines. Mr. Carter was interested in politics and opposed racial segregation. He supported civil rights movement. He served as Governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. 

Mr. Carter was not known well outside of Georgia but won the Democratic Party nomination in 1976 and became President of U.S. defeating Gerald Ford of the Republican Party. As a President he was not effective and considered as a weak President. In 1980, Ronald Reagan defeated Mr. Carter in a landslide. 

But today is his 100th Birthday and I will talk only about his good qualities. 

After leaving office he established Carter Center to promote human rights. For the work this center did, Mr. Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Carter established a nonprofit housing organization, Habitat for Humanity. He travelled to many countries as election observer.

Mr. Carter and his family are very simple easy-going people. When he was Governor of Georgia and President of the United States, Mr. Carter’s mother Lillian Carter worked as a Peace Corps volunteer Nurse in India. No one knew about her in India until the American Embassy called the Indian Government to arrange secret service (police) protection for her.

Once again, Happy 100th Birthday Mr. President. May you live many more years.