The upcoming vice presidential debate could backfire on JD Vance, several political scientists have said.
Both VP candidates have agreed to debate each other on October 1 in New York, on CBS News.
But Vance, who has faced multiple controversies over resurfaced comments about women and abortion, may walk away from the event having damaged the Republican campaign, three political scientists told Newsweek.
Meanwhile, his Democratic opponent, Tim Walz, will face his own challenges in becoming more known to the American people and handling criticism of his military service, they said.
Professor Rosalyn Cooperman, Ph.D., at the University of Mary Washington’s Department of Political Science & International Affairs, told Newsweek: “VP nominees have one main job in relation to the party’s ticket—do no harm.
“In these early introductions to the Democratic and Republican party’s respective 2024 tickets, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz understood the assignment but OH Senator JD Vance did not.
“Minnesota Governor Tim Walz brings his everyman, practical Midwestern dad-vibe to the Harris ticket whereas Senator Vance brings the cultural warrior vibe that is heavy on doom and short on charm.”
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She went on: “So far, Walz is another positive data point on an energized Democratic ticket now that Biden has stepped aside. By contrast, Vance is another data point on a Republican ticket that seems erratic, unbalanced, and increasingly unnerved by having to participate in a campaign with voters that expect a discourse on the issues.
“Heading into the VP debate, the VP nominees must affirm the ‘do no harm’ principle and demonstrate they are a capable partner and steward to the top of the ticket and their Party, more broadly. Here Vance has a much heavier lift than Walz.”
Professor Christopher Cooper, of Western Carolina University’s Department of Political Science & Public Affairs, cited Vance’s struggling approval ratings.
He told Newsweek: “The vice presidential debate could be a chance to arrest that decline. Of particular interest will be how Vance responds to criticism of his past statements on women.
“As for Walz, most American voters are still getting to know him. His roll-out has been received fairly positively—particularly compared with Vance. The question is whether he avoids the decline that befalls most candidates. Of particular interest will be how he responds to recent criticism of his military service.”
Associate Professor Corwin D. Smidt, from Michigan State University’s Department of Political Science, also told Newsweek that Vance “has a little more work to do to reverse the impression” from the controversies he has faced about his previous comments.
But he added: “The goal for both in a VP debate is to be as critical as possible about the other campaign and establish enthusiasm for their own ticket. Usually, voters who are already decided are the ones who pay attention, and the goal is to get the base fired up.
“This is about getting the base fired up, perhaps boost fundraising, and influencing the media’s judgements about which campaign is winning each issue.
“The only way a candidate can really screw up is if they make a mistake that floods media coverage the following days and that detracts an undecided voter. They might criticize each other, but it is more so a party-wide discussion.”
Newsweek has contacted Vance’s team outside of normal office hours for a response to these comments.
Vance has defended himself against the heat he has faced about his comments on women, which included calling Democrats “childless cat ladies.”
He insists the media and the Democrats have “twisted” his words and tried to clear up what he meant about some of the comments he made in an interview with Fox News‘ Sean Hannity, after his role was revealed in July.
The Ohio senator has also been criticized for his position on abortion, as he has previously said he would want a nationwide ban on the procedure.
He has since towed Donald Trump‘s line on the issue, leaving it up to states to decide their own laws on it.