The stakes are high in what likely will be the only debate between the vice presidential candidates as Vance and Walz get ready to lay out the path to victory for their respective running mates, former President Donald Trump and ...Kamala Harris.

Both men, new to the level of national scrutiny focused on a presidential campaign, have studied for this debate.

Sources told CBS News that Vance, first elected to public office in 2022, has spent more than a month preparing while maintaining a vigorous campaign schedule. Vance and his team have held "murder board" sessions with top Trump-Vance campaign communications officials.

"We're studying up as much as we can on the issues that matter to the American people, and I'm looking forward to it," Vance recently said of the debate.

Beyond the issues, Vance and company have keyed in on Walz's own policy record and his debate style in previous outings. Vance's goal, it seems, is to cast the Harris-Walz ticket as far left and incapable of solving the nation's problems, namely illegal immigration, inflation, and instability worldwide.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-MN, is familiar with Walz's record and style, given he represents the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Emmer has been standing in for Walz during Vance's debate prep.

"My job was to be able to play Tim Walz so JD Vance knows what he's going to see," Emmer told ABC News' "This Week."

So far, Walz has been on the offensive on the campaign trail. He has called Trump and Vance "weird as hell." He's told the GOP ticket to "mind your own damn business." And he's repeatedly claimed that he "can't wait to debate" Vance. (Screengrab image: via ABC 15 AZ)

Nevertheless, a report from CNN claims that Walz actually warned Harris in August that he is a "bad debater." More than a dozen campaign staffers told CNN that the Minnesota governor is afraid he will let down Harris, his running mate.

No surprise, then, that Walz also has been intensely preparing for the debate with campaign advisers, several of whom reportedly also were involved in Harris' debate prep.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has played Vance opposite Walz. Buttigieg also helped Harris prepare for her vice presidential debate in 2020.

Walz's strategy, sources told CNN, is to brush Vance aside and focus on Trump because, as Walz recently asserted at a fundraiser in New York City, Vance is "selling his soul to Donald Trump." The challenge for Walz will be balancing a vigorous attack with the positive and plainspoken style he's known for.

Meanwhile, Vance, like Trump, has a combative debate style, albeit the Ohio senator is more measured in his delivery. If Trump is like a hammer, Vance is more like a scalpel.

Vance will attempt to draw the contrast between the Trump and Biden years, but he'll also look to play the role of journalist amid the Harris-Walz ticket's lack of media appearances. He'll likely ask Walz pointed rhetorical questions about the Biden-Harris administration's record, why the Biden-Harris administration didn't implement Harris' plans on Day One if they would solve the Americans' problems, and what actually happened to ...Joe Biden that forced him to drop out of the presidential race after one debate with Trump.

Nevertheless, Vance could confront unexpected opponents—namely, the debate moderators—just as Trump did in the Sept. 10 presidential debate hosted by ABC News.

The vice presidential debate, hosted by CBS News, will be moderated by "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell and "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan. The network has promised there will be no fact checks by the moderators, unlike the ABC News debate, but said they do have the power to mute a speaker's microphone if they so choose.

The backlash to ABC News' bias during its presidential debate was so severe that it appears to have worked in Trump's favor. If the moderators conduct themselves similarly Tuesday night, Walz might fade into the background.

But given the Harris-Walz ticket's media strategy, that might be the result the campaign is hoping for. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Bradley Devlin is politics editor for The Daily Signal.

Related posts:

1. Harris' Strategy? Avoid Serious Scrutiny as Long as Possible. Will It Work?
2. Tim Walz's Lies: The Top 7
3. Daily Caller Reporter Castigates CBS News' Dem Campaign Donations Ahead of Network Hosting Vance-Walz Debate

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Why the New RomCom ‘MERV’ Can Bring You Joy This Christmas

How the 'Heavens Declare the Glory of God': What One Man's Research Has Revealed about The Star of Bethlehem

Over 50 Tren de Aragua Gang Members Imported Under Democrats Indicted in Nebraska in Massive Nationwide ATM Jackpotting Scheme

205 Child Victims Located and Rescued in DOJ Sex Exploitation Op

Trump Admin Pausing All Off Shore Wind Project Construction Due To National Security Concerns

Trump Grants Federal Workers Two Additional Christmas Holidays

America Fest 2025: Erika Kirk Endorses 'My Husband's Friend' JD Vance for President

Brent Bozell Confirmed as US Ambassador to South Africa

Jury Quickly Convicts Judge Who Helped Illegal Migrant Escape ICE

Feds Estimate Somali-Linked Fraud in Walz's Minnesota Could Top $9 Billion

Trump SUSPENDS 'Green Card Lottery' after Program Let Brown University–MIT Shooting Suspect Enter the US

Brown, MIT Shooter Found Dead for Days in NH Storage Unit; Motive Still a Mystery

House Passes Bill to Criminalize Transgender Mutilation of Children

November Inflation Falls to 2.7%, Lower than Expected: 'This Is Good News for Wall Street; It’s Good News for Main Street'

MOVIEGUIDE's Review of the New Animated Film: DAVID

Massachusetts Drops Controversial Gender Ideology Mandate for Licensing Foster Care Parents

Nearly 40% of Women Suffer Severe Grief for Years after Abortion, Miscarriage: Study

Former Pfizer Vice President: COVID Shots Were 'Designed to Cause Injury,' Reduce Fertility

Dutch Sheets Shares a Warning from the US National Counterterrorism Center

Venezuela: Trump's Pressure Campaign and Maduro's Fury