Sen. JD Vance is not planning to extensively prepare for the upcoming vice presidential debate against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, stating that his well-developed views on public policy eliminate the need for extensive preparation. In contrast, Walz is reported to be participating in a multiday debate camp in rural Michigan to prepare for the CBS News-hosted debate on October 1. Vance has confirmed that he will not be participating in any similar preparation sessions and will focus on making a concise and direct appeal to the American people about his views on Donald Trump’s successful policies and Kamala Harris’s failed policies.
Vance believes that there is no need for extensive preparation because he does not have to hide his record from the American people – he just needs to talk about it. He criticizes Harris’s record as one of unadorable groceries, unaffordable housing, and job losses, and plans to focus on discussing these issues during the debate. Both Vance and Walz are participating in mock debates to prepare for their face-off. Walz is using Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as a stand-in for Vance, while Vance is having Rep. Tom Emmer spar with him to prepare for Walz’s folksy approach. Vance has primarily prepared at his Cincinnati home with the assistance of his wife Usha and Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller.
President Biden and Vice President Harris both engaged in extensive preparation ahead of their respective debates against former President Trump. However, Vance has made it clear that he will not be following a similar approach and will instead rely on his well-defined views on public policy to guide his performance in the debate. His focus will be on highlighting the differences between the successful policies of Donald Trump and the perceived failures of Kamala Harris. By not participating in pre-forum boot camps or crash courses, Vance is choosing to approach the debate in a way that aligns with his belief that his record speaks for itself and does not need to be hidden or disguised.
Walz is reported to be undertaking considerable preparation for the debate, including joining a debate camp in Michigan to hone his skills and arguments. This disparity in preparation approaches between the two candidates could potentially impact the dynamics of the debate and how each candidate performs. Despite Vance’s confidence in his ability to rely on his established views, the level of preparation undertaken by each candidate could influence the outcome and reception of the debate. It will be interesting to see how the contrasting preparation styles of Vance and Walz play out in the upcoming vice presidential debate and how it affects the perceptions and opinions of voters.
