Why this VP debate could be watched more closely than others

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The only vice presidential debate will take place on Tuesday. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance race toward the finish line.

A local politics professor said this is being watched more closely than others.

“You'll probably hear a lot about Walz's National Guard record, for example. You'll probably hear a lot about JD Vance and how he really, really, really didn't like Donald Trump until 2020,” said Jim Moore, a politics professor at Pacific University. “How they perform in this vice presidential debate will be open to interpretation. Aha, Trump made a good choice or a bad choice. Harris made a good choice or a bad choice.

The two are both known for attacks on their opponents, with Walz calling Trump supporters strange and Vance accusing Democrats of mishandling immigration by spreading a false narrative about Haitian immigrants in his own state.

One notable difference from recent debates is that the microphones will be on.

“It gives us a better sense of people as people and how they really behave during the debate,” Moore added.

Many assume that this debate will be followed with even more attention.

“So this is the last chance for people to really come to the forefront and say, 'Who are you and what are you about? So we expect more people than usual to watch this vice presidential debate,” Moore told KATU.