Zeldin compares Walz's debate performance to Elmer Fudd character

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Former congressman and GOP gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin has likened Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz’s debate performance to the Looney Tunes character Elmer Fudd. During an appearance on the “John Solomon Reports” podcast, Zeldin said Walz’s debate presence resembled Fudd, a character known for mishaps while hunting. Zeldin’s comments referred to Walz’s efforts to explain his support for Second Amendment rights during the debate.

Walz, the governor of Minnesota, shared a personal story from his high school years, describing how he kept a shotgun in his car for pheasant hunting. This, he suggested, demonstrated his long-standing support for gun rights.

The vice presidential debate, hosted by CBS News, saw Walz face off against Ohio GOP Senator JD Vance. According to polling data, Vance narrowly won the debate. Zeldin praised Vance’s performance, describing him as articulate and relatable, and suggested that Vance’s personal stories helped him connect with the audience.

Zeldin noted that while vice presidential debates rarely impact election results directly, they can influence voters by showcasing candidates under pressure. He emphasized the importance of candidates facing both friendly and adversarial media to strengthen their public engagement.