Analysts are divided over whether the vice presidential debate will sway enough voters to have a major impact on the 2024 election

MINNEAPOLIS – Vice presidential candidates Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance debated issues including immigration and foreign policy Tuesday night.

Analysts aren’t sure how many swing voters were affected Tuesday — and whether it was enough to change the outcome between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Professor Larry Jacobs of the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs doesn’t think much has changed in the debate.

“I don’t know if that will be the deciding factor,” he said. “There was no clear winner, either in terms of performance or in terms of making an important point that would get us to where we are.”

Republican strategist Amy Koch believes the debate is more important.

“I would argue that it’s not a nothing burger,” Koch said. “I think Gov. Walz did no harm. I think JD Vance did well.” She continued, saying her expectations for Vance were low – and she found his performance impressive.

Democratic strategist Abou Amara, however, said both candidates had achieved their goals.

“The first rule of vice presidential politics is do no harm,” Amara said. He continued, saying neither candidate had a negative impact on their respective campaigns.

Amara said the debate could sway a small percentage of swing voters in battleground states, and he believes those voters could influence the election.

“I think nothing is very important, but a lot of things are a little important,” Amara said. “And that’s the kind of debate that’s going to matter a little bit.”

In the end, analysts agreed that any number of swing voters affected on debate night could influence the outcome – they just aren’t entirely sure how many undecided voters there are.