ANALYSIS — I used to be a debate skeptic. I was skeptical that debates changed the trajectory of elections. But after President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in one of the most consequential debates in history on June 27, and considering the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is incredibly close, the vice presidential debate became must-watch television.
It will take at least a few days to know whether GOP Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota delivered a performance that persuaded independent voters in the seven toss-up states, but here are some initial takeaways.
1. The presidential race was close before the vice presidential debate and it will be close after the debate.