Vice Presidential debates are normally seen as not determinative in Presidential elections, but do provide added insights into not only party platforms but also the person who is a heartbeat sway from being President. Governor Tim Walz has a decided advantage over Trumpist JD "Junior Demagogue" Vance in terms of appeal. This debate may have more of an impact on voters. Vance is perhaps the least popular of any modern VP candidate. His odd judgements of single women, bans on abortion, and the malicious lie about legal Haitian immigrants eating peoples' pets in Springfield, Ohio, have made him the poster boy for far-right demagoguery and conspiracies. The Associated Press has an overview of tonight's debate on CBS (9 p.m. Eastern):
"The debate in New York hosted by CBS News will give Vance, a Republican freshman senator from Ohio, and Walz, a two-term Democratic governor of Minnesota, the chance to introduce themselves, make the 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 the Harris and Trump teams failing to agree on another meeting. [snip]
Vance’s occasionally confrontational news interviews and appearances on the campaign trail have underscored why Trump picked him for the Republican ticket despite his past biting criticisms of the former president, including once suggesting Trump would be “America’s Hitler.”
Walz, meanwhile, catapulted onto Harris’ campaign by branding 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 Walz is better liked than Vance, potentially giving the Republican an added challenge." (our emphasis)
Gov. Walz has an advantage going in: he's an authentic, plain spoken guy, whereas Vance is a dishonest fake who shifts positions to advance his career. If Gov. Walz can parry the anticipated dishonest attacks from the unlikable Vance, and return fire at Vance's way- out- of- the- mainstream views, it should be a good night for the Harris-Walz ticket.
