Ohio Democrat tells Walz to ‘be yourself’ ahead of VP debate

Former Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) said Sunday that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, should “be himself” in his upcoming debate against Republican challenger Sen. JD Vance (Ohio).

Ryan, who debated Vance in Ohio’s 2022 Senate race, joined NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” where he offered advice for Walz ahead of the Oct. 1 vice presidential candidate debate. Ryan conceded the senate race to Vance.

“I think, you know, be yourself,” Ryan said. “I think … people watch these things and say, ‘I like him. I don’t like him.’”

Ryan said he’s known Walz for a “long time,” having served together in the House.

“He’s a good guy, and if his personality and sense of humor come through, he’s going to be fine,” Ryan said.

The former congressman recommended Walz hold Vance’s “feet to the fire” and call him out on incorrect statements, like the Haitian migrant comment in Springfield.

“He will lie, he will obfuscate, he will muddy the waters and he will deny saying certain things that he has said,” Ryan said of Vance.

Walz, according to Ryan, must “correct him in real time” and make his points at the debate, then he will “be fine.”

The vice presidential debate is set for Tuesday, Oct. 1, and will be hosted by CBS News.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.