cover of episode Will J. D. Vance’s Debate Victory Matter on Election Day?

Will J. D. Vance’s Debate Victory Matter on Election Day?

2024/10/2
logo of podcast The Political Scene | The New Yorker

The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Chapters

J.D. Vance demonstrated a smoother, more agile debate performance, effectively side-stepping hard-right stances while co-opting Tim Walz's mainstream appeal. This raises questions about the importance of likeability in modern politics and Vance's ability to present a more palatable version of Trumpism.
  • Vance employed a 'bear-hug' tactic to keep the debate on his terms, creating a sense of Midwestern camaraderie with Walz.
  • Vance successfully projected a classic Republican image, seemingly passing the 'not crazy' test for many voters.
  • The debate highlighted the evolving nature of the Republican party under Trump's influence.

Shownotes Transcript

The first and only Vice-Presidential Debate of the 2024 campaign was mostly cordial, but J. D. Vance's smooth performance tried to soften the sharper edges of Trumpism in a conversation that stretched from climate policy to child care, gun control, the Middle East, and January 6th. However, with polls tightening and barely a month till Election Day, can Vance’s efforts compensate for Donald Trump’s poor debate with Kamala Harris, last month? The New Yorker staff writers Clare Malone and Vinson Cunningham sit down with Tyler Foggatt to recap the Vice-Presidential debate and consider its potential impact on what may be the closest election in decades. 

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