Transcript The Hutchinson Report Commentary 9/30/24 Do Vice Presidential debates really Matter-Yes and No
[00:00:00.19] – Speaker 1
This is Earl Ofari Hutchinson, with another edition of the Hutchinson Report. Do vice presidential debates really matter? Yes or no? Let’s do the no first. Who can forget that lived in that era?
[00:00:16.10] – Speaker 1
- Texas Senator Lloyd Benson, democratic vice presidential candidate Walter Mondale, the presidential candidate George Bush senior, the presidential candidate, vice president, then Dan Quill, senator from Indiana. The great debate between Vice presidents Lloyd Cannabis, Lloyd Benson and Dan Quell. Who can forget that moment when Lloyd Benson, with a stone face and a smile, turned to Dan Quill after he compared himself to JFK, in a manner of speaking, and said, sir, you are no JFK? It brought the House down.
[00:00:55.20] – Speaker 1
Then we fast forward 2008. Vice presidential candidates Joe Biden, Democrat Obama Barack Obama, presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Alaska governor, vice presidential candidate and of course, the debate between the two, Biden and Palin. Many said that Palin was fairly credible. Then we turn to the next debate. Pence and Kamala Harris.
[00:01:26.02] – Speaker 1
2020 Pence was credible. But here’s the common denominator. In all cases, the vice presidential candidates did nothing for their presidential hopefuls. In other words, the candidates lost. So that’s one, though Noah’s vice presidency is essentially almost an afterthought.
[00:01:49.22] – Speaker 1
Appendage is, who is it? What do they do? Well, not much. Essentially preside over the Senate, break ties, and essentially serve at the pleasure of the president on public policy jaunts here and there, they make no policy. Also, they are forgettable.
[00:02:09.20] – Speaker 1
Oftentimes, the general public doesn’t even know who the vice presidential candidate is or care. Debates show that they have no impact in and of themselves. However, in the debate between JD Vance, Ohio senator, and, of course, Trumps vice presidential candidate. And on the other hand, we have Tim Walts, Minnesota governor. Kamala HarrIS, vice presidential running mate.
[00:02:38.02] – Speaker 1
This debate will count. It will matter. Why? Because, one, the polls show that Trump and Harris are very close, so it’s a horse race. Secondly, you have two fiery personalities.
[00:02:50.15] – Speaker 1
In fact, Vance and waltz, separate. Apart from Trump and Harris, they’re also known quantities. And there’s a popularity in both cases with their base and controversy with all voters because of statements both have made, the background of both. So again, there is interest just with the two individuals because both of them hold very important offices. Governorship, Minnesota senator, Ohio.
[00:03:23.12] – Speaker 1
Yes, again, in this sense, in a close race, as I said before, any little edge could make a difference. So, for example, they’ll be looking voters, that is, at Vance and waltz, not just as vice presidential possibilities, but also, if anything happened, Trump. Trump is almost 80. Kamala Harris, who knows if they go down, injury, accident, anything, then they are the ones that have to step in. In other words, the vice president potentially can be the president.
[00:04:00.19] – Speaker 1
So there is a lot of attention, and justifiably so paid attention to the vice presidency. The debates, Vance and waltz? Yes, they’re important. They’re public policy. People get a chance to see individuals that will be on the public platform, one of them, for the next four years, perhaps eight.
[00:04:22.24] – Speaker 1
And then the second thing is that’s important is the issues, what will be stressed, and voters will be looking carefully and listening very carefully. JD Vance versus Tim Walsh, the vice presidential debate. Do vice presidential debates really matter? Yes and no. Or put another way, in this case, no and yes.
[00:04:48.16] – Speaker 1
I’m Earl Ofari Hutchinson. You’ve been listening to another edition and watching the Hutchinson Report.