The vice presidential debate on Tuesday night between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) on CBS News could mark the final debate of the 2024 election, which is only five weeks away.
Walz and Vance were catapulted into the political spotlight this summer.
The former was a previously low-profile Democratic governor who emerged as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. At the same time, the latter was a first-term Republican senator then under the age of 40 who former President Donald Trump selected at the Republican National Convention held in July.
Neither are from critical swing states, and each has a strong appeal to his party’s base. Vance has strong approval among Trump supporters, and Walz was championed by many progressive leaders in the Democratic Party before his selection to join the ticket.
“At this point, neither of the campaigns are pitching for moderates,” David Schultz, a political science professor from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, told The Epoch Times.
Distinct Styles
Looking at their past general election and primary debates, each candidate took distinct approaches, which may offer insights into how they’ll handle Tuesday’s debate.
“We’re taking two candidates from relative obscurity to a national platform basically overnight to introduce themselves to the American public and also act as the closing act for their candidates and their parties since there are no more presidential debates scheduled,” Democratic strategist Rebecca Pearcey told CNN.
Walz brings significantly more debate experience than Vance, having served nearly 20 years in elected office. His debates date back to 2010, during his second reelection campaign for the House, and extend through his 2022 gubernatorial race.
In contrast, Vance, a newcomer during his 2022 Senate campaign, has participated in only two general election debates and a few GOP primary debates and forums.
Though Vance has less debate experience, he’s had more opportunities in the public eye. The now 40-year-old rose to prominence with his 2016 New York Times bestseller “Hillbilly Elegy.” He then won a competitive 2022 Senate primary with Trump’s support and successfully defended the seat in a challenging race against Democratic former Rep. Tim Ryan.
In both primary and general election debates, Vance often focused on policy areas where he felt most confident: immigration, the economy, and drug control.
During his first debate with Ryan, when asked about illegal immigration, Vance began by discussing his mother’s battle with addiction, linking it to the issue of immigration.
“My mom struggled with addiction for a big part of my early childhood,” Vance said. “One of the great blessings for our family is we got a second chance with mom because the poison that was coming into the country 15—thank God, 15 years ago—was not nearly as dangerous as the poison that’s coming into the country today.”
Others who have debated with Vance emphasize his quick thinking.
Ohio Republican Michael Gibbons, who ran in the 2022 Senate primary against Vance, told CNN that most people stick to a rehearsed narrative, but “JD has the intellectual capability of actually assessing a question as it’s asked and coming up with an answer that, in my view, 99 percent of the time reflects the truth.”
Walz has participated in numerous onstage face-offs for both congressional and gubernatorial races. Known for his quick speaking style, he often uses hand gestures and facial expressions while his opponent responds—an approach that contrasts with Vance’s more restrained demeanor.
Author and Attorney Talmage Boston told NTD that his advice for the two candidates is to be honest and civil during the debate.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a presidential or vice presidential debate where, the morning after, fact-checkers had nothing to report because both sides told the truth about the relevant facts?”
He believes avoiding name-calling and sticking to the truth will “put points in your favor.”
Aaron Dusso, a political science professor from Indiana University-Indianapolis, told The Epoch Times that it’s important for Vance and Walz to appear proficient enough on topics outside of their campaigns’ respective strengths before quickly moving on to talking about the issues in which voters trust them the most.
For Walz, this means emphasizing access to abortion, health care, education, and “hammer[ing] Project 2025,” he said.
Dusso suggested that Vance should stick to policy—particularly the border, the economy, and crime.
“Even though crime is down and the economy is doing pretty well, it’s still best for Republicans to focus on those issues because the average voter sees those issues as their strengths,” he said.
With additional reporting by Jacob Burg.