He was desperate to stem the tide of split-ticket Republican voters who back Kemp’s reelection campaign but were wavering over whether to cast a ballot for Walker. His answer, time and again, was to tie Warnock to President Joe Biden and his 38% approval rating.
“This race isn’t about me,” Walker said. “It’s about what Raphael Warnock and Joe Biden have done to you and your family.”
While Friday’s debate performance didn’t erase Walker’s vulnerabilities, it may quiet some GOP fears that the party’s most reliable voters were on the verge of abandoning him. Walker came out punchy and aggressive, interjecting frequently as he tried to knock Warnock off message. Warnock was more cautious and deliberate, though he also gave Democrats reason to cheer. …
“Herschel Walker had one mission tonight: make Kemp Republicans comfortable with him and stop ticket splitting,” said Fred Hicks, a Democratic strategist. “It feels like he did that.”
[All Walker had to do was give Republicans a reason to stick with him and let Brian Kemp’s coattails work for him. Looks like mission accomplished to me, too — Ed]
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