Next week, Republican J.D. Vance and Democrat Tim Walz will clash in the vice presidential debate, each striving to help the American public gain a better understanding of them and defend the policy positions of their respective presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Vance, a federal senator from Ohio, and Walz, the governor of Minnesota, come from the American Midwest. Vance is known for his bestselling book and coined the term “childless cat ladies” to mock Democrats, while Walz, a former high school football coach, has faced scrutiny over his military service and been labeled as “weird” by his Republican opponent.
Despite both claiming to understand the needs of people in the Midwest, their policy positions are often at odds.
Vice presidential debates are typically seen as supplementary, with voters often overlooking these encounters. However, the upcoming face-off between Vance and Walz is generating significant interest, as voters may be more eager than ever to see who comes out on top before the November 5th election.
With no further presidential debates scheduled, the vice presidential debate will provide both candidates with an opportunity to make persuasive arguments on behalf of their campaign teams as early voting increases nationwide.
Michigan University presidential debate expert Aaron Kall noted that their most important task is to serve as advocates and amplifiers for their respective campaigns.
In the debate on September 10th, Harris was widely considered to have outperformed Trump, which may put some pressure on the 40-year-old Vance. Vance, handpicked by Trump to solidify his conservative base, is a first-term federal senator from Ohio.
Walz, on the other hand, a 60-year-old governor of Minnesota, previously served as a long-time congressmember. Harris chose him as her running mate partly to expand her appeal among independent voters in key states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
They are expected to debate on their differing approaches to issues such as abortion and military service. Vance, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, may question Walz’s National Guard service, while Walz may be asked about his handling of the unrest following George Floyd’s death in 2020.
The preparation strategies of both candidates are under close scrutiny, with Vance opting for a more traditional strategy involving mock debates and meetings with key advisors. Walz, on the other hand, is working with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to simulate the debate with Vance.
Political analysts have differing opinions on the potential outcomes of the debate. While some believe Vance’s aggressive tactics against Walz could backfire, others argue that the focus should be on how Trump’s re-election would benefit voters.
The vice presidential debate is scheduled for October 1st, and it is anticipated to be a significant event in the lead-up to the election. As both candidates gear up for this crucial face-off, the American public eagerly awaits to see how they will represent their campaigns and vie for voter support.