Vice presidential debates are typically a lot less interesting than presidential ones. Despite the pundit buzz surrounding the veepstakes, VP candidates rarely sway voters, and it follows from that historical pattern that vice presidential debates are unlikely to be consequential. They’re low-stakes affairs that feature candidates tasked with playing a supporting role: The candidates are meant to act as defenders or attack dogs on behalf of their running mates, and they don’t usually announce policies or break new ground politically. The bar for a solid performance is just to avoid any gaffes.
But Tuesday’s vice presidential debate is going to be different. The presidential race has unfolded unconventionally, with Vice President Kamala Harris’ surprise last-second nomination. She is still filling in a number of gaps in the public’s perceptions of her agenda, and for this reason, her VP pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, could play an outsize role in shaping how undecided voters perceive the Democratic presidential ticket. The quality of Walz’s performance could conceivably determine some voters’ decision on whether they trust the Democrats on the top-tier issue of economic policy — or even just on the level of “vibes.”
This is a preview of Zeeshan Aleem's latest article. Read the full column here.
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