Emmer supports Vance in gearing up for vice presidential debate

Sponsored Ad

Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) is preparing for the upcoming vice presidential debate scheduled for October 1 in New York City. To assist him, Vance has enlisted the help of Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN) to act as a stand-in for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D-MN), his debate opponent. Vance's wife, Usha Vance, and political adviser Jason Miller are also part of the preparation team.

The debate, hosted by CBS at 9 p.m., will be the only direct confrontation between Vance and Walz during the campaign. In a parallel effort, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is serving as a stand-in for Vance in preparation sessions for Walz.

The election has garnered significant attention due to the competitive nature of the race, with both vice presidential candidates receiving increased scrutiny. Walz's visibility is partly attributed to the relative anonymity of Vice President Kamala Harris. Vance has faced criticism from Democrats for previous remarks describing the party's leadership.

To prepare for the debate, Vance has engaged in extensive training over the past month, incorporating in-person sessions, Zoom calls, and simulations of challenging questions. His team has analyzed footage from previous debates involving Walz to understand his debating style.

Recent polls suggest a close race, with Vance facing challenges in building voter support, as he has a favorability rating of 34% compared to Walz's 40%.