NEWS AND OPINION:

So the vice presidential debate is finally ready to roll. The 90-minute encounter between Sen. J.D. Vance, Ohio Republican, and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is set for 9 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday on CBS, though other networks will be simulcasting.

But wait. Let’s journey back 16 years to consider an event of yore. Then-Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin faced off in a vice presidential debate on Oct. 2, 2008.

“Sarah Palin defied the critics who have been mocking her all week to deliver a punchy, down-to-earth performance in her clash with Joe Biden in the first and only vice-presidential debate of the White House campaign,” the Guardian said in an analysis published the day after the encounter.

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“Although she frequently betrayed nerves, rattling through words and ideas at speed, the Republican vice-presidential candidate dealt with the Wall Street meltdown, climate change, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel and Darfur with more conviction than she demonstrated in recent, disastrous television interviews,” the analysis said.

“She grew in confidence during the 90-minute debate at Washington University, in St Louis, Missouri, and held her own with Biden, who is one of the most knowledgeable politicians in Washington on foreign policy as chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. In spite of his experience, her folksy, populist tone may have given her the edge with viewers,” The Guardian said.

THE DEBATE PRESS

The 2024 vice presidential debate has sparked some headlines, meanwhile. Here are some of the many headlines heralding the event:

“Will the vice presidential debate matter?” (U.S. News & World Report); “Heading into the vice presidential debate, Tim Walz is fighting nerves” (CNN); “Why Tuesday’s vice presidential debate could matter more than history suggests” (The Associated Press); “Walz v Vance: two midwesterners miles apart in politics ready for debate” (The Guardian); “What Tim Walz’s past debate performances reveal about how he may take on J.D. Vance” (NPR); “In fight to be No. 2, Vance and Walz share humble roots that created different paths” (Los Angeles Times); and “Do you know Vance and Walz’s talking points? Prep for the vice presidential debate with fact checks” (Poynter Institute).

The Vance-Walz match could draw a big audience.

Consider that an estimated 37 million people tuned in to watch the 2016 vice presidential debate featuring Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence, according to Nielsen. In 2012, over 51 million watched the encounter between then-Vice President Joe Biden and then-Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, also according to Nielsen.

KEEPING TRACK

The Fair Election Fund — a national watchdog group dedicated to election integrity — has revealed that it is conducting “a six-figure investigation into noncitizen voting” in seven key swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

“This investigation will help ensure the integrity of our elections by identifying ineligible voters and prompting state officials to remove them from the voter database,” the organization said in a statement.
“The investigation will compare the jury summons responses in the 10 most populous counties in each of the seven swing states with their voter rolls to validate voter eligibility. If a person denied a jury summons based on citizenship or residency status but is registered to vote or has voted in the past, that is a clear example of voter fraud. If any of these cases exist, we will find them and immediately alert state authorities,” the statement said.

“Election integrity efforts depend on the accuracy and reliability of our voter databases. We’ve seen states like Texas and Virginia remove noncitizens from voter rolls, and other states must follow suit. While combing through voter rolls and conducting cross checks is a thankless task, it is essential work. The Fair Election Fund is ready to roll up our sleeves and take on this challenge to stop illegals from voting and ensure that every vote cast belongs to a U.S. citizen and resident of that state,” said senior adviser Doug Collins, who represented Georgia’s 9th Congressional District from 2013 to 2021.

Find the organization at thefairelectionfund.com.

ONE FOR HARRIS FAULKNER

A round of applause, please, for Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, whose popular daily show draws an average of 1.8 million viewers, according to Nielsen. And she has fans elsewhere.

Ms. Faulkner was honored as one of 10 women chosen as She Leads America’s “2024 Christian Women of Distinction” — which lauded her “profound, positive impact on society through her faith in Christ.”

Rep. Lisa McClain, Michigan Republican, presented Ms. Harris with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition. Her name and accomplishments were entered into the Congressional Record “honoring her service to Jesus Christ, and to the United States of America for her service as a journalist and an advocate for truth,” according to a Fox News release.

The award was presented by Alveda King, Christian activist, author, niece of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a Fox News contributor.

Curious about She Leads America?

Its mission statement calls itself “a dynamic, diverse organization of accomplished Christian women from across the nation, She Leads America offers perspectives that can only come from hundreds of leaders representing a broad spectrum of influence. We provide a framework to link interdisciplinary perspectives, centered in the Bible.”

Find the group at Sheleadsamerica.com.

POLL DU JOUR

• 56% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 say they will “definitely be voting” in the 2024 presidential election.

• 13% say they “probably will be voting” in the election.

• 11% say there is a “50-50 chance“ they will be voting.

• 7% say they “probably won’t be voting.”

• 11% say they “definitely will not be voting.”

• 1% refused to answer the question.

SOURCE: A Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics/Ipsos survey of 2,002 U.S. adults ages 18 to 29 years old, conducted online Sept. 4-16 and released Monday.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.