
Walz and Vance meet in their first and possibly only vice presidential debate
The Hindu
Tim Walz and J.D. Vance face off in crucial vice presidential debate, potentially swaying voters before election day.
Tim Walz and J.D. Vance are meeting for their first and possibly only vice presidential debate on Tuesday (October 1, 2024), in what could be the last debate for both campaigns to argue their case before the election.
The debate in New York hosted by CBS News gives Mr. Vance, a Republican freshman senator from Ohio, and Mr. Walz, a two-term Democratic governor of Minnesota, the chance to introduce themselves, make a case for their running mates, and go on the attack against the opposing ticket.
Tuesday's matchup could have an outsized impact. Polls have shown Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump locked in a close contest, giving added weight to anything that can sway voters on the margins, including the impression left by the vice presidential candidates. It also might be the last debate of the campaign, with Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump teams failing to agree on another meeting.
The role of a presidential running mate is typically to serve as an attack dog for the person at the top of the ticket, arguing against the opposing presidential candidate and their proxy on stage. Both Mr. Vance and Mr. Walz have embraced that role.
Mr. Vance's occasionally confrontational news interviews and appearances on the campaign trail have underscored why Mr. Trump picked him for the Republican ticket despite his past biting criticisms of the former President, including once suggesting Mr. Trump would be “America’s Hitler.”
Mr. Walz, meanwhile, catapulted onto Ms. Harris’ campaign by branding Mr. Trump and Republicans as “ just weird,” creating an attack line for Democrats seeking to argue Republicans are disconnected from the American people.
A new AP-NORC poll found that Mr. Walz is better liked than Mr. Vance, potentially giving the Republican an added challenge.













