In the United States, the race for the presidency garners most of the attention during election cycles. However, the vice presidential candidates also play a crucial role in the political landscape.
While their influence may often be overshadowed by their presidential running mates, these candidates do participate in debates to showcase their qualifications and policy positions.
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Traditionally, the Republican and Democratic candidates for Vice President debate each other once the parties solidify their tickets at their respective conventions. These debates provide a platform for the candidates to discuss their positions and engage in a battle of ideas.
During the 2020 election cycle, former Vice President Mike Pence debated his Democratic counterpart Kamala Harris on October 7, 2020. This debate took place approximately a month before the election and allowed the candidates to address key issues facing the nation.
A similar scenario unfolded during the 2016 election cycle when Vice President Pence, then the Republican candidate for Vice President, debated Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton’s running mate.
This debate took place in October, just before the November election, and served as an opportunity for the candidates to present their perspectives to the American public.
The upcoming 2024 election is expected to feature President Joe Biden running alongside Vice President Kamala Harris once again. However, the GOP challengers have not yet announced their running mates and are unlikely to do so for several months.
While the focus is currently on the presidential debates, it is important to remember that the vice presidential candidates will also have their moment to debate and articulate their positions.
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These debates provide valuable insights into the candidates’ policy stances and their ability to serve as potential vice presidents.
Although the vice presidential candidates may not receive as much attention as their presidential counterparts, they do participate in debates to make their case to the American public.
These debates offer voters a chance to assess the qualifications and policy positions of the vice presidential candidates, contributing to the overall democratic process.
Written by Harry Rutherford. You can read more opinion posts from our opinion writers in the opinion category.