Vance v. What to expect from Walz?

This election drama It drew legions of viewers to tune in for some of the biggest political moments, will the same be true for the vice presidential debate?

tuesday nightGovernor of Minnesota. Tim Walz and You. J.D. Vance The Ohioans will face each other in New York. The two are already launching remote attacks on the campaign trail, and Vance accuses Walz of making the attack. stolen courage and Walz calls Vance”strange.“

Vice presidential debates With the exception of 2008, they generally do not attract the same audience as presidential debates. Joe Biden discussed Sarah PalinIt was the most watched Vice Presidential debate in history. Nielsen.

Vance’s blunders and declining positivity has led to comparisons to Palin, and it’s possible she’ll draw her own audience into the showdown, too.

“I don’t think it’s going to be as big as the Kamala-Donald show, but there’s a lot of interest here,” said Frank Sesno, professor and director of strategic initiatives at the GW School of Media and Public Affairs. “I think it’s an open question about whether Vance is a help or a hindrance to Trump.”

More: What’s it like to argue with Tim Walz?

When we look at vice presidential ratings changing over time

Nielsen The rating metric measures the percentage of households that own a television. The data doesn’t record people broadcasting online, but here’s a look at ratings from recent elections:

2020 – Harris – Pence 33.7% of households
2016 – Kaine – Pence: 23.5%
2012 – Biden – Ryan: 31.9%
2008 – Biden – Palin: 41.7%
2004 – Cheney – Edwards: 28.1%
2000 – Cheney – Lieberman: 21%

More: How many people watched the Harris-Trump presidential debate?

Both candidates draw apocalyptic visions of the future with the other side

Vice President Kamala Harris largely declared the winner in his argument against Donald Trumpafter leading him into angry rumours.

Sesno says further entrapment can be expected for Walz and Vance as they try to back each other into a political corner. He also noted that both candidates continue to introduce themselves to national audiences, so this debate is a chance for them to prove they’re ready to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

“Both sides are trying to defend the country against those who would destroy it,” Sesno said. “This is an apocalyptic vision where each is trying to outmaneuver the other.”

But rhetorical boxing aside, there is a lot at stake for the American people.

“What’s really going on there are the problems that people are actually having,” Sesno said. “So if you’re just shouting slogans, it’s not going to be enough, and they know that.”