One of the most iconic WWE promos ever featured The Rock and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s main event at WrestleMania 2001. Set to the backdrop of Limp Bizkit’s My Way, it showcased the collision course between two of the greatest of the Attitude Era. It was such a masterful piece of editing that even Leni Riefenstahl might have admired it. Little wonder that some still consider this edit to be the pinnacle of Western culture.
The upcoming Vance vs Walz debate on CBS might not carry the same stakes as a WWE title, but it could determine whether a WWE Hall of Famer returns to the White House.
This round of verbal sparring won’t feature muted microphones or fact-checkers, allowing for a more unrestrained, dog-eat-dog (metaphorically speaking) encounter than the Harris-Trump debate, which demonstrated Harris’s skill in a controlled setting and Trump’s diminished vigour. Given the lack of interaction between the two camps, the Vance vs Walz debate might be the only opportunity to see how these teams stack up against each other.
The two candidates bring distinctly different debating styles.
Vance is a prolific speaker, well-versed in media appearances since his Hillbilly Elegy days. His memoir was once the go-to book for liberals seeking to understand why white America supported Trump. Vance is adept at handling hostile interviewers, transforming from an atheist into a born-again Christian with a Hindu wife, framing his life story as the quintessential American dream tainted by illegal immigration. He resonates with a new generation of MAGA supporters who might be disillusioned with Trump but see themselves in Vance’s journey from poverty to becoming a Silicon Valley venture capitalist. He embodies the millennial spirit, with a hint of someone who once downloaded Linkin Park tracks from LimeWire.
In contrast, Walz has embraced the role of America’s Dad, perplexed by why his daughter doesn’t consider turkey vegetarian. His rapid rise, selected over more seasoned Democrats like Obama ally Josh Shapiro, is attributed to his Midwestern charm and the casual manner with which he labelled the Trump-Vance ticket as “weird.” A former teacher who loves his 1979 Harvester Scout II, Walz connects with potential Democrats beyond the coastal elites. He’s unashamed of his liberal credentials and family values, merging these seemingly contrasting ideals. One of the highlights of the Democratic National Convention was his interaction with his family, particularly his son Gus, for which Republicans faced criticism for their mocking.
Sources familiar with him told The New York Times that Walz isn’t as fond of debates as Vance, preferring unscripted engagements. However, he can pack a punch when required, as demonstrated against his Republican Senate opponent Dr Scott Jensen when he pointed out that his 24 years in the National Guard were more relevant experience than simply watching Top Gun: Maverick.
Here’s what to expect from this verbal clash:
1) Polling Significance
VP debates are often seen as mere fillers, akin to two seconds facing off in a gun duel, yet a Prolific survey for The Independent suggests that 75% of Americans plan to watch this debate. After the Harris-Trump debate, 30% of viewers felt more positive about Harris. While only 56% of Americans believe the VP role is important on a presidential ticket, this figure rises to 66% among Democrats compared to 49% of Republicans. An average from FiveThirtyEight shows Walz is more favourably viewed than Vance, with some speculating that Trump regrets choosing Vance as his running mate based on advice from Musk, Sacks, and Carlson. Enhanced perceptions of Harris-Walz could significantly challenge the opposing ticket.
2) A Couch Reference
One almost inevitable element: a reference to couches. The rumour about JD Vance’s supposed amore for the sofa, originating from a completely fake rumour and a strawman fact check, is quite likely to make a comeback. As will his childless cat ladies comment that triggered Taylor Swift as well.
3) Stolen Valour Accusations
Both Vance and Walz are veterans who haven’t engaged in frontline combat. Walz has faced “stolen valour” accusations after allegedly misrepresenting his military service when claiming he supported banning weapons “that I carried in war.” Walz clarified that his “grammar wasn’t always correct,” but it’s almost certain this issue will be revisited.
4) Cats and Dogs
Immigration is a crucial topic for both sides. Harris has shifted her stance on this policy, as she has on many topics, while Trump is intent on closing the southern border. He frequently blames immigration for various societal issues, from unaffordable housing to unemployment and even missing pets. Vance is likely to echo these points or be challenged by his opponent.
5) Liberal vs Weird
Tim Walz was chosen over more established candidates like Josh Shapiro, partly due to his verbal attacks on the Republican ticket, famously labelling them as “weird,” a move that helped Kamala Harris select him as her running mate. In contrast, Team Trump has attempted to portray Harris and Walz as “too liberal,” despite their efforts to adopt a more moderate image lately. Vance is expected to attack Walz, particularly on his perceived closeness to China and the Chinese Communist Party.
6) Past Records
Debates often focus more on attacking past actions than outlining future policies, and both sides will undoubtedly target each other’s histories. Walz is expected to address Vance’s comments about women without children and ‘childless cat ladies,’ while Vance will likely highlight Walz’s previous remarks about students and “misquotes” on IVF. Vance’s earlier comparisons of Trump to “Hitler” and “cultural heroin” are also expected to surface.
The gloves will certainly be off in the Vance-Walz encounter, and the outcome could play a pivotal role in deciding who emerges victorious in the final showdown on 5th November.