On Tuesday, Ohio Senator JD Vance will take on a significant challenge when he debates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, presenting an important chance for both vice-presidential candidates to sway public opinion in this competitive race for the presidency.

This isn’t Vance’s first encounter with a passionate Democrat from the Midwest.

Previously, Vance debated former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan twice while competing for an open Senate seat in Ohio in 2022. During that time, the author of “Hillbilly Elegy” emerged as a poised newcomer in politics, carrying some controversial baggage that Ryan utilized against him on stage. This includes Vance’s earlier criticisms of Donald Trump and his remarks about “childless cat ladies,” which Walz is likely to bring up to portray the Trump-Vance partnership negatively.

Now, however, Vance has nearly two years of Senate experience and several months of campaigning for the vice-presidency. He has participated in more media interviews than anyone else on the ticket, even more so than Trump, and frequently takes questions from reporters at rallies in key states. GOP strategist Mark Weaver believes this background has made Vance a more astute and self-assured politician.

Ryan himself recognized that Vance possesses strengths that could serve him favorably in the debate on Tuesday. He advised that for Walz to succeed, he must consistently challenge Vance and not let him evade accountability.

“He has a way of somewhat articulating the intellectual foundations behind Trump’s outbursts,” Ryan noted in an interview. “There’s no denying he’s intelligent. I would never call him foolish whatsoever.”

Race and crime dominated the intense Vance-Ryan debates

Vance is set to debate Walz at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York, where the debate format will include no live audience and muted microphones, providing a more organized setting than his previous experiences. In 2022, the debates between him and Ryan often involved interruptions and personal attacks throughout their two hour-long sessions.

During one debate, Vance mentioned, “I have three young kids, including a toddler. One thing that seems true about toddlers is also true for career politicians: they accuse you of doing exactly what they do all the time.”

Vance and Ryan debated topics expected to arise again on Tuesday, such as abortion and crime. For example, Vance often shared stories about his mother’s battle with substance use disorder, which he used to support his stance for stronger border controls against illegal drugs. He also highlighted the 2020 racial justice protests while criticizing Ryan’s law enforcement policies, a strategy he is likely to repeat given the scrutiny Walz faces over his management of protests in Minneapolis following the police killing of George Floyd.

Ryan’s rebuttal: “Can you believe one person claims to be pro-police while simultaneously fundraising for those involved in the insurrection that attacked the Capitol Police?”

The former congressman also criticized Vance, calling him an “a– kisser” and condemning his remark about Alex Jones, who falsely claimed that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, as being a more credible source than Rachel Maddow. However, the most intense moment of their second debate occurred when Ryan accused Vance of endorsing the great replacement theory.

This controversial conspiracy instills fear about nonwhite immigrants undermining the political power of white Americans. In 2022, Vance suggested to Fox News that Democrats were inviting new voters to the country to secure electoral victory, as reported by the Associated Press.

Vance reacted strongly to Ryan’s allegations, emphasizing his interracial family background as he stated he is married to an Indian American woman and has children with her.

“This is precisely what occurs when the media and individuals like Tim Ryan accuse me of endorsing the great replacement theory: my own biracial children face harassment from malicious individuals online and in real life because you’re so desperate for political gain that you would label me, a father of three beautiful biracial kids, as a racist,” Vance expressed. “We are fed up with this. You can support border control without being racist.”

What preparations is Vance making for the debate against Walz?

Vance’s team is acutely aware that his previous comments could give Walz some ammunition during the debate.

To help him prepare, the Trump campaign has enlisted U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, another Minnesotan, to simulate the role of Walz in practice debates with Vance, as per a source familiar with the preparations. Usha Vance and senior Trump strategist Jason Miller, along with other top advisors from Vance’s team, are also aiding him in readying for the debate.

Vance aims to use the debate as a platform to “reveal Walz’s extreme record and stances,” the source mentioned.

Ryan believes Walz will present as “much more approachable and practical” compared to Vance, who is often viewed as a detailed policy expert by both his supporters and critics. A recent poll conducted by YSL News and Suffolk University indicates that 48% of likely voters hold a favorable opinion of Walz, whereas only 36% view Vance positively. The Ohio senator

Additionally, independent voters showed less support for this candidate.

With only five weeks remaining in the presidential campaign, both Vance and Walz must maximize their efforts to benefit their respective teams.

“The crucial factor in this election revolves around which party appears to maintain the status quo and which one represents change,” Weaver mentioned. “The influence these candidates have on that perception could be significant.”