If you watched the debate Tuesday night and you’re from the Midwest, you might have recognized the kindness and empathy that you saw on stage between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance. What you witnessed is otherwise known among locals as “Midwest Nice.”
Between the nods, smiles, handshakes and apologies, if you’re not from the Midwest, you might have been confused. Maybe you thought it was refreshing. Perhaps you thought the two vice presidential nominees were faking it, or that they were corny.
I don’t know either Vance or Walz personally, so I can’t attest to whether their demeanor was a façade, but as someone who grew up in Minnesota, their affable nature is common and often genuine.
Civility is something we’ve lacked in politics in recent years. It’s good to see it come back.
In fact, the idea that their debate seemed unusually civil is a testament to how bad things have gotten in politics in tone. But it really isn’t that rare in the Midwest.
My column: Forget Donald Trump. I want JD Vance’s vision for America.