Divergent Worldviews of Tim Walz & JD Vance: Viktor Orbán as a Symbol of Political Division

[Social Media]

 

The stark differences in political philosophies between Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and his Republican counterpart JD Vance are vividly illustrated by their contrasting views on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Their opinions on Orbán, a controversial figure on the global stage, not only underscore the ideological chasm between them but also reflect broader divides within the American political landscape.

 

In a recent interview with Fox News, Tim Walz, the Minnesota Governor and Kamala Harris' chosen running mate, made it clear that he does not view Viktor Orbán as a democratic leader. "A foreign policy that respects our alliances—not cozying up to dictators like [Vladimir] Putin and Orbán—is the way to go," Walz stated on July 23. His criticism of Orbán went even further than that of President Joe Biden, who, in March, suggested that Orbán is a leader who "doesn't think democracy works, he's looking for dictatorship." Biden's remark sparked outrage within the Hungarian government, which has been increasingly aligning itself with the Republican Party, and more specifically with JD Vance, the vice presidential nominee.

 

JD Vance, who was named Donald Trump’s running mate on July 15, holds Orbán in high regard. Vance has expressed admiration for Orbán’s policies on various fronts, from higher education reform to social policy and what he calls the “de-woke-ification” of public institutions. On a right-wing podcast last September, Vance discussed his perspective on education reform, referencing Orbán's approach in Hungary: "What do you do at the Department of Education? Well, you do what Viktor Orbán has done in Hungary, which is basically say, 'You're not allowed to teach critical race theory anymore, you're not allowed to teach critical gender theory anymore … You're not allowed to do those things and get a dollar of federal money or a dollar of state money.'"

 

Vance has also defended Orbán's close relationship with Beijing, a stance that has raised eyebrows among foreign policy experts. He argued, "Why is Viktor Orbán getting closer to China? In part because American leadership is not making smart decisions." Vance’s endorsement of Orbán's policies and his defense of Hungary's ties with China demonstrate a significant departure from the traditional bipartisan consensus in U.S. foreign policy, which typically emphasizes caution in relations with authoritarian regimes.

 

The relationship between Orbán and the American right has grown notably close in recent years. Orbán, who has ruled Hungary for 14 years, was one of the few foreign leaders mentioned by Donald Trump in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. "Hungary, strong country. Run by a very powerful, tough leader. He's a tough guy. The press doesn't like him because he's tough. Viktor Orbán, prime minister of Hungary, very tough man," Trump said, signaling a deepening of ties between the Hungarian leader and the GOP.

 

For Orbán, a Republican victory in the upcoming U.S. presidential election could be pivotal. In his speech at the Tusványos summer camp in late July, Orbán declared, "Trump is at the gates." He went on to claim that his advisers have "entered the program-writing system of President Donald Trump's team" and are "deeply involved" in the development of Trump's policies. This statement highlights the extent to which Orbán has invested in the success of the Republican ticket, viewing it as aligned with his own authoritarian-leaning governance style.

 

The diverging views of Walz and Vance on Viktor Orbán reveal much about the broader ideological battle taking place within the United States. For Walz, aligning with democratic allies and rejecting leaders who stray from democratic norms is a priority. His condemnation of Orbán is rooted in a commitment to upholding democratic principles and maintaining strong international alliances based on shared values. In contrast, Vance’s praise of Orbán reflects a growing trend among some Republicans to admire and even emulate the policies of authoritarian leaders who challenge liberal democratic norms, particularly when it comes to issues like national sovereignty, immigration, and cultural identity.

 

This ideological division is not just about differing opinions on a foreign leader; it represents a fundamental clash over the direction of American democracy and its role in the world. For Walz and many Democrats, the preservation of democratic institutions, both at home and abroad, is paramount. They see leaders like Orbán as threats to the democratic order that has defined the post-World War II era. On the other hand, Vance and a faction of the Republican Party view Orbán’s brand of nationalism and his resistance to progressive social policies as a model worth considering, particularly in the context of the cultural and political battles currently being waged in the United States.

 

Credit: Politico  2024-08-09

 

 

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[Tug]

Good for Walt call out those freedom stealing dictators.its that difference in philosophy’s that’s going to cost the republicans (retrumplicans) the election + stripping freedoms

[thaipo7]

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Good for Walt call out those freedom stealing dictators.its that difference in philosophy’s that’s going to cost the republicans (retrumplicans) the election + stripping freedoms

You better listen more closely to the policies of these two radicals and revaluate and see who will be taking away freedoms.  But if you did not recognize this under Obama and Biden then you don't understand the freedoms to begin with.

[Tug]

1 minute ago, thaipo7 said:

You better listen more closely to the policies of these two radicals and revaluate and see who will be taking away freedoms.  But if you did not recognize this under Obama and Biden then you don't understand the freedoms to begin with.

Ahhhhh okaayy…….????

[nobodysfriend]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Vance has expressed admiration for Orbán’s policies on various fronts, from higher education reform to social policy and what he calls the “de-woke-ification” of public institutions.

 

Trump is a fan of dictators , he still dreams of becoming one himself .

[Chomper Higgot]

Water finds its own level.

 

[JonnyF]

Walz is a left wing extremist that the left wing media are trying to dress up as a safe pick, a 'cuddly warrior', 'folksy' etc.

 

The useful idiots will fall for it. Same as they thought Joe was sharp as a tack because CNN pundits told them. 

[Chomper Higgot]

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Walz is a left wing extremist that the left wing media are trying to dress up as a safe pick, a 'cuddly warrior', 'folksy' etc.

 

The useful idiots will fall for it. Same as they thought Joe was sharp as a tack because CNN pundits told them. 

I would be more than a little surprised if you had even heard of him before this week.

[JonnyF]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I would be more than a little surprised if you had even heard of him before this week.

 

Yes he is a bit of a nobody, but funnily enough I'd heard of him due to his policy of mandating tampons in boy's school toilets.

[cncltd1973]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

Orbán declared, "Trump is at the gates." He went on to claim that his advisers have "entered the program-writing system of President Donald Trump's team" and are "deeply involved" in the development of Trump's policies.

 

deeply involved in the development of Trump's policies. chilling...

[Cory1848]

33 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Yes he is a bit of a nobody, but funnily enough I'd heard of him due to his policy of mandating tampons in boy's school toilets.

If the availability of tampons is what concerns you, I would say you're easily distracted by non-issues.

[Srikcir]

Vance - Couch potato

Walz - Ice fishing, skeet shooter

[JonnyF]

23 minutes ago, Cory1848 said:

If the availability of tampons is what concerns you, I would say you're easily distracted by non-issues.

 

If you think putting tampons in boys toilet's is about the availability of tampons to boys, I would say you are drastically missing the point. 

[Geir Rasch]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Walz is a left wing extremist that the left wing media are trying to dress up as a safe pick, a 'cuddly warrior', 'folksy' etc.

 

The useful idiots will fall for it. Same as they thought Joe was sharp as a tack because CNN pundits told them. 

It is scary when people describe politicians that in European view are centrum/right as left wing extremist. That is the proof of that there is some fascist out there. Scary! Hope that there is not so many of them that they will be a threat to the world.

[JonnyF]

12 minutes ago, Geir Rasch said:

It is scary when people describe politicians that in European view are centrum/right as left wing extremist. That is the proof of that there is some fascist out there. Scary! Hope that there is not so many of them that they will be a threat to the world.

 

Don't lose too much sleep Geir, being of the opinion that tampons are not required in boys school toilets is not a fascistic threat to the world. 😂

[Cory1848]

15 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

If you think putting tampons in boys toilet's is about the availability of tampons to boys, I would say you are drastically missing the point. 

I don't think about tampons one way or the other. All I know is, I don't need them myself.

[JonnyF]

15 minutes ago, Cory1848 said:

All I know is, I don't need them myself.

 

Your posts suggest otherwise. 

[candide]

Orbàn, the President of Turkey? 🤣

 

“There’s a man, Viktor Orbán, did anyone ever hear of him?” Trump said, referring to the Hungarian prime minister.

“He’s probably, like, one of the strongest leaders anywhere in the world. He’s the leader of Turkey,” the former president said.

 

https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-confuses-turkish-and-hungarian-leaders-orban-erdogan/

 

 

[Will B Good]

 

 

Is it daddy issues with the right wing sycophants???

 

Is it this that blinds them to what dictators are doing, that makes them accept dictators lies and immoral behaviour?

 

A desperate desire to have strong leader as a substitute for a weak or absent father.........weird.

[Roo Island]

Orban's a nutter

[Roo Island]

13 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Don't lose too much sleep Geir, being of the opinion that tampons are not required in boys school toilets is not a fascistic threat to the world. 😂

Bizarre post

[Geir Rasch]

On 8/9/2024 at 10:47 AM, JonnyF said:

 

Don't lose too much sleep Geir, being of the opinion that tampons are not required in boys school toilets is not a fascistic threat to the world. 😂

But remember definition of fascism: Authoritarian nationalistic politic. That is Trumps program.

[JonnyF]

2 hours ago, Geir Rasch said:

But remember definition of fascism: Authoritarian nationalistic politic. That is Trumps program.

The left are far more authoritarian than the right these days.

 

Censorship and clamping down on freedom of speech. Jailing protesters but only those from the right etc. 

 

But yes they lack nationalism. The left prefer authoritarian globalism these days. 

 

Stalinism - 2024 style.

 

 

[Geir Rasch]

34 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

The left are far more authoritarian than the right these days.

 

Censorship and clamping down on freedom of speech. Jailing protesters but only those from the right etc. 

 

But yes they lack nationalism. The left prefer authoritarian globalism these days. 

 

Stalinism - 2024 style.

 

 

Any decent country have limits to free speech. Racism and hate propaganda is therefore not included in free speech. I hope you will agree that this is not unacceptable Authoritarian.

[JonnyF]

6 hours ago, Geir Rasch said:

Any decent country have limits to free speech. Racism and hate propaganda is therefore not included in free speech. I hope you will agree that this is not unacceptable Authoritarian.

 

Who decides what is hateful?

 

Two tier Keir Stalin?

 

No thanks..

[Geir Rasch]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Who decides what is hateful?

 

That is obvious to most people other than those filled with hate.

[nauseus]

On 8/9/2024 at 10:15 AM, Srikcir said:

Walz - Ice fishing, skeet shooter

 

And tampon trader