Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance remained undeterred by a power outage during his debate preparations with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic Party's running mate. Vance engaged in rigorous murder board sessions over the past month, a process involving tough questioning and candid discussions to prepare for the upcoming vice presidential debate.
During a recent mock debate, Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota portrayed Walz, while former Trump administration Treasury Department assistant secretary Monica Crowley acted as one of the moderators. Despite a power outage halfway through the session caused by a storm in Cincinnati, Vance and his team persevered using lanterns and cellphones to continue their preparations.
Emmer, who previously led the House Republicans' campaign committee, expressed his support for Vance and Trump's efforts to highlight the shortcomings of Harris and Walz. Emmer emphasized his familiarity with Walz from their time in the House together, noting the challenge of portraying Walz due to what he described as a tendency to deceive without substance.
Former President Trump, while refraining from offering specific advice to Vance, acknowledged their communication and expressed confidence in Vance's readiness for the debate. The Trump campaign's strategy includes setting high expectations for Walz, recognizing his proficiency in debates and extensive political experience.
Vance, accompanied by his family and key advisers, arrived in New York City ahead of the debate and is scheduled to address a gathering of prominent Republican donors, including influential figures like Paul Singer, Ken Griffin, and Warren Stephens. The closed-door session with the American Opportunity Alliance signifies Vance's engagement with major GOP contributors as part of his campaign activities.
