Heavy on policy, light on rancour: Vance v Walz is a pleasant surprise

V-P debate gives Americans rare moment of reprieve from their deeply polarised politics

- Bhagyashree Garekar

WASHINGTON - After a disagreeable presidential debate during which Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump traded insults, viewers probably expected more of the same at the clash of their running mates. They were in for a surprise.

The civil and substantive exchange between the two men, expected to be attack dogs for their parties, offered Americans a rare moment of reprieve from their deeply polarized politics. The Republican Party's J.D. Vance, a senator from Ohio, was seen as the better performer, going by his polished delivery and striking ease during the 90-minute encounter in New York on Oct 1.

Mr Vance, who came into the debate with some negatives engendered by past comments about women and extreme positions against abortion, seemed to have the most to gain by a win.

But his refusal to acknowledge that Trump lost the 2020 election, and his penchant for dissembling while confronted with a direct question, was troubling.

The Democratic Party's Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, on the other hand, appeared nervous initially. But he had his strong moments - enough to stay in the fight.

The debate appeared to be a tie for Professor John Geer, who teaches political science at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.

"Vance was an effective debater. Walz came across as likeable. Both accomplished what they sought to do," he said.

Chiefly, their goal was to defend their bosses.

Debate watchers probably came away with a better opinion of Mr Vance, said Professor Aaron Kall, an expert in politics, elections and debates at the University of Michigan.

That may erase lingering perceptions of Trump's poor debate performance on Sept 10, as well as the fact that Mr Vance has also been caught in controversial news comments for example, claiming falsely that lawful Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating pets.