Vice presidential debates an American tradition

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(Reuters) – The U.S. vice presidential candidates, Democratic Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota and Republican U.S. Senator JD Vance of Ohio, face off in a prime time debate on Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 5 election, upholding a tradition marked by some memorable moments of modern U.S. political history.

Their debate follows the Sept. 10 presidential debate between their running mates, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. Here are some milestones of previous vice presidential debates:

– 1988: The vice presidential debate came alive when Dan Quayle, George H. W. Bush’s running mate, compared himself politically to the late President John F. Kennedy. Democrat Lloyd Bentsen, who was Michael Dukakis’ running mate, replied in quiet, deadly tones: “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”

– 2008: Sarah Palin, Republican John McCain’s running mate, and Joe Biden, running with Democrat Barack Obama, clashed on the economy and Iraq during a lively but polite vice presidential debate. Palin frequently displayed a folksy style. At one point, she said: “Aw, say it ain’t so, Joe,” adding a “doggone it” for good measure.

– 2020: A stray housefly briefly commanded the national stage, generating buzz when it perched on Vice President Mike Pence’s cropped white hair. Pence, seeking a second term with then-President Donald Trump, a Republican, debated his Democratic rival, then-U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, who at the time was Joe Biden’s running mate and now the Democratic candidate for president against Trump.

(Editing by Howard Goller)