The stage is set for a potentially key vice presidential debate on Tuesday, as contenders J.D. Vance and Tim Walz vie for the vital votes of the American heartland. This face-off between Democrat Walz, the Minnesota governor endorsed by Kamala Harris, and Republican Vance, the Ohio senator aligned with Donald Trump, is expected to be the final debate of the 2024 election cycle.
With Trump opting out of a second debate with Harris, this showdown in New York presents a unique opportunity to witness both tickets in action before the election, which is only five weeks away. At 40, Vance and 60, Walz are positioning themselves as the authentic voices for the crucial Midwestern swing states that could ultimately decide the election.
While historical trends suggest that vice presidential debates typically have little impact on voters, the unusual circumstances of this election—particularly Harris’s late emergence as the Democratic nominee—lend extra significance to this contest.
The campaign has seen Vance and Trump employ increasingly polarising rhetoric, even making unfounded claims about migrants, ensuring that Tuesday’s debate promises to be charged and contentious. “It will whet a lot of people’s appetites for November 5,” commented Thomas Whalen, an associate professor of social sciences at Boston University.
Both candidates come with military backgrounds and strong blue-collar ties: Vance gained recognition as the author of Hillbilly Elegy, while Walz’s approachable style stems from his past as a teacher and football coach. However, their similarities largely end there.
Vance, known for his controversial remarks, will need to navigate the debate carefully, especially after polls initially suggested he was among the least popular vice presidential nominees in history.
In contrast, the affable Walz aims to introduce himself to voters who may not be familiar with him, following Harris’s rapid ascendance as the Democratic nominee. His jabs at Vance and Trump, calling them “weird,” have resonated with Democrats, but they will likely be targets for Vance’s attacks, which may frame Walz and Harris as “Marxists.”
Vance, a former Marine who served in Iraq, is expected to challenge Walz on his National Guard record, claiming the Democrat left his unit prior to deployment.
This year’s televised debates have already proven capable of surprising outcomes, notably with Biden withdrawing his re-election bid after a poor performance against Trump in June. While previous vice presidential debates have not significantly swayed public opinion, Tuesday’s confrontation could deliver the “high drama” that captivates political theatre enthusiasts.
Trump, who recently faced criticism for his debate performance against Harris, has announced plans to provide live commentary on the Vance-Walz debate, calling Vance “brilliant” and describing Walz as “highly inarticulate.”
Both candidates have been preparing rigorously, with Walz enlisting Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to simulate Vance’s debating style. The debate promises to be particularly engaging, as both candidates’ microphones will remain live throughout, allowing for real-time interjections. However, it will take place without a studio audience, moderated by CBS hosts Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.