The upcoming debate between Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance is critical in this closely contested election. This vice presidential debate could significantly impact their campaigns in the final weeks leading to the presidential election.

Typically, vice presidential debates are low-key, but polls indicate a highly competitive situation in key states. With the debate happening Tuesday in New York likely to be the last of the campaign, it presents a crucial opportunity for both candidates to make a significant impact.

Despite their political differences, both Walz and Vance have positioned themselves as relatable figures, emphasizing their Midwestern values and working-class backgrounds to appeal to undecided voters.

“The contrasting styles of the two candidates add an intriguing dynamic to the debate,” commented Robert Rowland, a former national debating champion and communication studies professor at the University of Kansas. “The central theme is which campaign can genuinely claim to represent the working class in America.”

Vance is recognized for his detailed policy knowledge and has fully embraced his role as the 2024 Republican ticket’s attack dog. He often throws shade regarding cultural issues that resonate with the MAGA base, especially focusing on illegal immigration.

However, the heated nature of the 2024 competition has taken a toll on the Ohio senator. His polls have significantly dropped since he became the vice presidential nominee.

A recent Associated Press-NORC survey shows that nearly half of registered voters view Vance unfavorably, while about 30% hold a negative view of Walz.

In recent times, he has faced backlash from the left for spreading unfounded rumors about Haitian immigrants in his state and for past remarks about Americans without children.

Meanwhile, Walz has aimed to present himself as a straightforward representative of Vice President Kamala Harris’s views, gaining attention for his energetic and clever style, notably when he referred to the GOP as “weird” before joining the ticket.

Nonetheless, Walz has vulnerabilities that Vance could highlight, particularly regarding his progressive history since taking office in St. Paul in early 2019. He has been criticized for exaggerating aspects of his military service and for his handling of the 2020 protests that erupted following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

As early voting is underway and with another presidential debate unlikely, here are key aspects to watch for in the upcoming showdown.

Microphones will be live

The behavior of Walz and Vance during the debate—such as their handshakes, facial expressions, and any potential disputes—will hinge partly on the debate’s rules. Notably, CBS News will allow microphones to remain active, differing from the approach taken during the Harris-Trump debate.

The Harris campaign sought a similar change during a June debate, where they desired microphones to be on even when candidates were silent. This strategy was likely aimed at capturing Trump in a potentially viral moment. However, they eventually accepted a compromise to mute microphones when a candidate wasn’t speaking.

For the upcoming event, CBS News will keep the option to mute microphones if needed, but typically, every word exchanged between the two candidates will be audible to the audience.

Controversies About Immigration

Republican Senator J.D. Vance faced tough questions from moderators CBS’ Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, especially regarding his claims about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, allegedly eating household pets.

The small city has recently gained national attention and has endured threats, yet Vance has shown no remorse for voicing these accusations. He also noted that the presence of Haitians has led to increased tuberculosis and HIV cases in the area, suggesting these concerns are vital for voters, despite the surrounding tensions and racism from some congressional members.

“Kamala Harris labels anyone a racist if they criticize her open-border policy,” Vance stated in a September 23 post on X.

“You shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting to halt the surge of illegal immigration and dangerous fentanyl,” he continued. “Americans advocating for a secure border should hold their heads high, though Kamala Harris certainly shouldn’t.”

Walz’s Military Background

Tim Walz may face scrutiny regarding his 24-year stint in the National Guard.

Following a mass shooting in Florida in 2018, Walz advocated for stricter gun regulations, claiming the guns involved were akin to those he “carried in combat.”

However, the Democratic governor has never seen combat deployment, and he sidestepped a question about this potentially misleading assertion in his first interview since receiving the VP nomination with CNN.

The Harris campaign later stated to YSL News that Walz “misspoke” in 2018, while asserting he did, in fact, “handle weapons of war” during his time in the Guard.

Vance, a retired Marine and veteran of the Iraq War, has alleged that Walz avoided deployment by strategically retiring before his unit was activated in 2005.

Walz’s unit was notified of its impending mobilization to Iraq in July 2005, just two months after he had retired. Reports suggest he was aware as early as March 2005 that his battalion might be deployed to Iraq.

Despite the criticisms, Walz has continued to thank Vance for his service on the campaign trail, but it remains to be seen how he will handle questions about this topic in debates.

Two Takes on the Everyman Concept

This debate can be viewed through the lens of the everyman narrative; much of the 2024 campaign has focused on the gender gap and contrasting opinions on men’s roles in American society, especially as represented by the vice presidential candidates.

Vance has attracted attention for his controversial remarks, such as referring to women without biological children as “childless cat ladies” with “no real investment” in America.

Polls indicate that younger women lean more liberal compared to previous generations, and Harris frequently emphasizes that the 2024 election revolves around the erosion of abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Her campaign is assertive regarding this stance, using actor Sam Elliott in ads urging men to “be a man and support a woman,” and hosting a livestream town hall led by Oprah Winfrey, aiming to connect with female audiences reminiscent of Winfrey’s previous popularity as a talk show host.

Likewise, Walz has branded himself as the nurturing “coach” or protective “dad figure,” presenting a counterimage to those opposing women’s reproductive rights.

In contrast, the Trump campaign has actively sought to engage younger male voters since the GOP convention.

The ex-president frequently attends male-oriented events, such as UFC matches alongside musician Kid Rock, and participates in podcasts hosted by personalities like influencer Logan Paul, comedian Theo Von, and online streamer Adin Ross.

A recent survey by Blueprint, a Democratic polling organization, revealed that 55% of men believe the Democratic Party has shifted “too far to the left.”

“Economic issues appear to be the primary factor driving them away from the Democratic Party,” stated Evan Ross Smith, the survey’s pollster. “Men are leaning more toward the right on matters like tax cuts and various economic concerns, feeling that the Democratic Party is no longer meeting their needs.”

This trend influences how men and women perceive the running mates of Harris and Trump, according to the survey findings.

Out of roughly 1,200 men surveyed, Vance’s net favorability ratings were even, whereas Walz had a negative rating of 4%. In contrast, among the approximately 580 women surveyed, Vance’s net favorability stood at a negative 15%, while Walz had a positive net favorable rating of 17%.

Andrew T. Walker, a professor of Christian ethics and public theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, indicated that Vance will be expected to promote traditional family and gender roles in a way that doesn’t provoke backlash, while also countering the narrative around “toxic masculinity,” which some men find resentful.

“There is a segment of the male population that feels they have been labeled as society’s problem,” Walker noted. “Vance aims to connect with this quiet majority of men who feel that elite liberalism and progressivism have unfairly blamed them for various societal issues.”

Connecting ‘Hillbilly’ background to Harris’ record and economic worries

Vance’s main objective will be to portray the Democratic ticket as excessively liberal regarding several issues, particularly inflation and illegal immigration.

This strategy includes calling out Harris for her shifts on key issues and linking the current vice president’s record to that of the Biden administration. The goal is to persuade low-income and working-class voters that they were in a better position four years ago under Trump’s presidency.

Rowland, an expert on debates, suggested that instead of launching aggressive attacks initially, Vance could leverage his personal story, which is extensively explored in his bestselling book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” to take a gentler approach during early exchanges.

“Vance was selected largely due to his background and his narrative of overcoming hardship and family struggles through diligence,” he remarked.

Vance is anticipated to challenge Walz, just like Harris, positioning him as someone feigning moderation while governing one of the most liberal states in the nation. His goal is to accomplish this without falling into his own missteps.

“Vance should avoid coming across as peculiar and steer clear of the ‘Whoa, that guy feels like he’s from the 1950s’ territory on social issues,” advised Republican consultant Liz Mair.

Cautioning against Trump’s comeback while elaborating on Harris’ objectives

Walz is expected to frame the 2024 election much like other Democrats this year: as a crucial opportunity to prevent Trump from reclaiming the presidency.

Through various social media outlets, the governor has linked the GOP nominee to the Project 2025 initiative developed by the Heritage Foundation along with input from over 100 conservative organizations.

However, on Tuesday, Walz’s primary focus will be to clarify Harris’ vision to voters who remain unclear about her objectives and precise policy proposals.

Adrianne Shropshire, a Democratic strategist and executive director of BlackPAC, indicated that Walz may face a tougher challenge than Vance in this regard.

“He needs to appeal to a much wider audience and diverse group of voters as they strive to build A new coalition,” she noted.

Throughout his campaign, Walz has effectively criticized Trump while also presenting himself as an approachable and relatable person, using humor to engage his audience.

Rowland anticipates that the Minnesota Democrat will highlight Harris’s commitment to everyday citizens and clarify how her policies would function, contrasting her approach with Trump, whom he describes as someone “who only cares about himself.”

“Considering his friendly demeanor, I think Walz is less likely to make a statement that could significantly sway public opinion against him,” Rowland remarked.

“However, one of the intriguing aspects of debates is their unpredictability,” he continued. “Either candidate could make a drastic comment that could change the course of the campaign.”