Many observers believe that Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance prevailed in this week's debate against Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.

This fact seems to have rattled the Harris campaign, with one television host admitting that she has received text messages from "panicked" Democrats.

Vance seen as "he most likable he's ever been"

According to Fox News, the admission was made by NBC News host Kristen Welker, who helped moderate a debate four years ago between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

After Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance faced off in the first and only vice presidential debate, @halliejackson and @kwelkernbc join @savannahguthrie to share analysis on the key moments and break down how the debate might impact voters. pic.twitter.com/01KVIyEwf9

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 2, 2024

"Sen. JD Vance clearly knew his challenge was to deal with the likability factor. The fact that in our poll, he's the second most disliked running mate in history," Welker said during a Wednesday appearance on NBC's "Today."

"So I was getting texts from Democrats panicked, quite frankly, who were saying, 'Wow, he's really moderating himself on these issues. He's the most likable he's ever been,'" the "Meet the Press" host said.

Democrats hope to made 2020 election "a flash point"

Welker did say that Democrats recognized a potential bright spot in the debate when Vance was less than forthcoming about whether or not he believes that the 2020 election results were legitimate.

"Yet, that moment at the end where Gov. Walz pressed him on whether he accepts whether former President Trump lost the election and he said, 'Let’s focus on the future' — they are going to try to make that into a flash point," she explained.

"They’re already in the process of turning that into an ad. They believe that is going to be a way to really try to appeal to that very small sliver that is still undecided, but moderate, independent, suburban voters," the host stressed.

That Democrats would be disquieted by their vice presidential candidate's performance is unsurprising how even most contributors at the left-leaning website Politico agreed that he lost.

Politico staff agree that Vance bested Walz

Among them was Eugene Daniels, who is Politico's White House correspondent. Daniels said, "Tonight was undoubtedly the best night for J.D. Vance since he became Trump’s running mate."

National political reporter Lisa Kashinsky concurred, remarking, "Vance was poised. He defended Trump’s record. He effectively made the case against Harris where Trump failed in his last debate."

Meanwhile, chief polling analyst Steve Shepard conceded that Vance "was more comfortable in the setting and didn’t have any serious missteps."

Nevertheless, while Shepard recognized that Vance was "the more polished debater," he did suggest that the Ohio's senator's comments on abortion could be harmful.