CNN anchor Abby Phillip pounced on Democrat Tim Walz ’s “clear lack of preparation” for his vice presidential debate against Republican JD Vance on Tuesday. (Watch the video below.) Phillip said the mostly civil showdown was punctuated by Ohio Sen. Vance connecting on his blows, which Minnesota Gov. Walz allowed, she said.

Tim Walz and JD Vance will participate in a debate on Tuesday on CBS. Sharing moderating duties will be anchors Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.

JD Vance. Vance and his Democratic rival Tim Walz cleared their biggest hurdle of the campaign this week – the senator sailing smoothly past it, while the Minnesota governor stumbled along the way. The debate will likely be the last time voters see a face-off at the top of the ticket as former President Donald Trump refuses to debate Vice President Kamala Harris for a second time.

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance also plans to undercut Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz’s image as a moderate by painting him as a liberal. | Jamie Kelter Davis for POLITICO Ahead of his first and likely only national debate of the presidential cycle,