On the NPR Politics Podcast, correspondents analyze the Vice Presidential debate, comparing JD Vance to Sarah Palin.
On The NPR Politics podcast, the correspondents broke down the vice presidential debate comparing JD Vance to former nominee Sarah Palin.
Susan Davis and Asma Khalid said age and experience could be a significant factor in Tuesday’s debate, with Vance a new senator at 40 years old facing off against 60-year-old Walz and his extensive experience in Congress and as governor.
Khalid said with Vance being one of the youngest vice presidential candidates in recent history, comparisons to Palin are likely.
« With Palin, many voters had questions about whether she was competent for the job », Khalid said. « Did she have the experience, especially in contrast to Joe Biden, who at the time had spent many years in the U.S. Senate. »
Vance has been a U.S. Senator for Ohio since January 3, 2023. He was elected in the November 8, 2022, general election, defeating Democratic candidate Tim Ryan. However, Walz began his congressional career after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006. He represented Minnesota’s 1st congressional district and served until he became the governor of Minnesota in 2019.
The 2008 vice presidential debate between Biden and Palin took place at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
The then 65-year-old Biden, campaigning as Barack Obama’s running mate, faced off against then 44-year-old Palin, the Republican nominee alongside John McCain.
