Why the VP debate could be more important than the presidential ones

Alan Cai

September 27, 2024

The vice presidential debate is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1st, at a Manhattan recording studio. The debate will be hosted by CBS and moderated by Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan and CBS Anchor Norah O’Donnell. The rules deviated from the presidential debate, with both vice presidential candidates, Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz, having live microphones even if their opponents were speaking. CBS stressed that they still reserved the right to mute a microphone as necessary. Muting microphones has been an area of contention between the two leading national parties since the first general election debate of 2020 between then-president Trump and then-former-vice president Biden. During the debate, the candidates, mainly Trump, came under fire for interrupting their opponents’ responses. Somewhat interestingly, the Trump campaign had been pushing for muted microphones while the Harris campaign had been pushing for fully live microphones leading up to the presidential debate earlier this month.

The debate between Vance and Walz may be more consequential than the Trump-Harris debate due to its far-reaching consequences. The Trump-Harris debate panned out more or less as expected— with both candidates pushing their party’s talking points and dropping the occasional soundbite for effect. Perhaps the only newsworthy headline generated from its aftermath was Trump’s “They’re eating the dogs” claim, which garnered international attention and ridicule. However, as both candidates were already extremely well known and their positions were no surprise, polling, and post-debate analysis showed no significant change in public opinion. The VP debate on the other hand has tremendous potential to swing the tides in favor of either candidate.

A few days into his VP nod, JD Vance came under fire for his previous comments not only regarding his new running mate but also about unmarried women. Tim Walz, by contrast, has enjoyed relatively little media scrutiny and has yet to encounter controversy. On the flip side, however, Tim Walz has also received less media attention than his counterpart, notably offering fewer one-on-one interviews and press conferences. The VP debate can help tip the scales in favor of one running mate, ultimately helping with the general election.

The showing from both VP candidates can also determine the future of their parties. While JD Vance’s ties to the Midwest are undeniable, the main purpose behind Trump’s pick of the political newcomer was to appoint a successor to the MAGA movement. Despite Vance’s relative lack of utility to the ticket, especially with his lack of ideological balancing, Trump must have felt that Vance was best suited to carry on his legacy. The vice presidential debate will be a big stepping stone for Vance to either confirm his claim as heir to the Trumpworld crown or demolish his prospects. Walz on the other hand, despite appearing to be on the older side of the spectrum, is only sixty— merely a year older than Harris herself. His rise from obscurity and catapult into the political spotlight puts him in a prime position to carry the torch of the Obama dynasty. Needless to say, both candidates have a lot to prove and only one can prevail in the upcoming faceoff. If they show any weakness, plenty of young budding prospects from both parties are more than happy to take the mantle from them.