The vice-presidential debate between Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz on Tuesday night was a stark contrast to the previous presidential debates this year. The two candidates engaged in a civil and policy-focused conversation, with minimal personal attacks.
While Walz stumbled at the beginning, he found his footing when discussing abortion and the Capitol riot. Vance, on the other hand, presented himself as a polished public speaker, putting a polite and humble face on Trump’s conservative populism.
The most heated moment of the debate came when the candidates clashed over Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election being stolen. Walz criticized Vance for dodging the question, calling it a “damning non-answer.”
Despite their differences, there were moments of agreement between the two candidates, showing a level of commonality on certain issues. However, Vance’s strong performance is likely to boost Republicans in the upcoming days.
Overall, the debate may not have a significant impact on the election results, as history suggests that vice-presidential debates rarely sway voters. But it was the last chance for both parties to make their case on a debate stage before Election Day.