Tuesday night’s vice-presidential debate between Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz was relatively civil, with the candidates spending more time criticizing each other's running mates than attacking one another. Vance presented a polished, ideologically clear message, maintaining loyalty to Donald Trump’s populist agenda while deflecting questions on Trump’s false election claims. After a shaky start, Walz gained confidence when discussing abortion rights and the January 6 Capitol riot. Vance’s strong performance highlighted his potential future in national conservative politics.
