By The New York Times (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-30 13:42:52 | Updated at 2024-10-02 02:42:41
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Senator JD Vance assumed his first public office just last year. But to win that job, he had to survive about a dozen debates, sharpening his chops when facing opponents onstage.
By Michael C. BenderMcKinnon de Kuyper and Christina Kelso
Michael C. Bender has covered JD Vance on the campaign trail and watched hours of his previous debates.
Sept. 30, 2024, 9:34 a.m. ET
Some politicians enjoy mixing it up with crowds on the campaign trail, while others revel in fund-raising.
JD Vance loves debates.
Mr. Vance, the first-term Republican senator from Ohio, will get his moment on the most prominent stage of his fledgling political career on Tuesday, when he represents Donald J. Trump’s presidential ticket in a matchup against his Democratic rival, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota.
It’s a moment he has been anticipating for months.
Mr. Vance spoke eagerly about the vice-presidential debate shortly after being named to Mr. Trump’s ticket in July. When President Biden dropped out of the race, Mr. Vance reacted with disappointment — because now he would no longer debate Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Talk about take-backs,” Mr. Vance said at his first solo campaign event. “I was told I was going to get to debate Kamala Harris, and now President Trump’s going to get to debate her. I’m kind of pissed off about that if I’m being honest with you.”
For his face-off with Mr. Walz, Mr. Vance has been busy with debate prep, including semiregular “murder board” sessions in which his top advisers pummel him with pointed questions and heated attacks.
But his biggest advantage may be his recent experience. While Mr. Vance, 40, assumed his first public office just last year, to win that job he had to survive a gantlet of about a dozen primary and general-election debates.
