### 5 Things to Watch for at the US Vice Presidential Debate
#### **The Midwestern Roots and Personal Stories**
The debate will highlight the Midwestern roots of both candidates, with **Tim Walz** emphasizing his experiences as a high school educator and assistant football coach, and **JD Vance** focusing on his Appalachian upbringing and economic challenges faced by his hometown.
#### **Abortion and Family Matters**
The candidates will diverge sharply on abortion rights, with **Walz** framing the topic within the broader context of **Kamala Harris’** advocacy for ‘freedom’ and contrasting it with **Donald Trump’s** stance on Roe v. Wade. **Vance** has faced criticism for his 2021 comment about ‘childless cat ladies,’ which Democrats have used to portray him as unsympathetic towards women’s reproductive choices.
#### **Military Service and Background Critiques**
Both candidates have military backgrounds, with **Vance** questioning **Walz’s** military service record. **Walz** has responded by highlighting **Vance’s** Yale education and his association with ‘Silicon Valley billionaires’.
#### **Policy Focus and Debate Style**
**Vance** is preparing to highlight what he sees as **Walz’s** left-wing views during the debate. **Walz**, on the other hand, aims to introduce himself to a broader audience and highlight **Harris’s** vision for the nation’s path forward.
#### **Debate Format and Moderation**
The debate will be moderated by **Norah O’Donnell** and **Margaret Brennan** and will not include a live audience. The format will allow for potentially vigorous exchanges, with candidates having two minutes to respond to questions and one minute for rebuttals. The debate will also feature closing statements, with **Vance** opting to close the program.
