Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) has tapped Rep. Tom Emmer to imitate his fellow Minnesotan Tim Walz as the Republican vice presidential candidate gets ready for next week’s debate, a source familiar with Vance’s preparations told The Post.
Emmer, the current House majority whip, was picked to help Vance get a handle on Walz’s “folksy” Midwestern style, the source said.
Vance, 40, and Walz, 60, will face off in the forum hosted by CBS News in New York Oct. 1. It will be the only vice presidential debate and the last time any two members of the major party tickets are scheduled to confront each other one-on-one.
Others who have assisted Vance in debate prep include his wife Usha and Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller, the person added.
The prep has mostly taken place online or at Vance’s home in Cincinnati, with the Republican aided by a team of advisers who have analyzed Walz’s past debate performances in addition to reviewing strategy and previewing questions that are likely to be posed.
Walz, meanwhile, has also been taking part in mock debates, according to CBS News, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg standing in for Vance.
The source familiar with Vance’s plans noted that Donald Trump’s running mate has taken part in dozens of interviews since being tapped as the Republican No. 2, which they expect to boost his performance.
The former president has long eschewed traditional debate prep in his three campaigns for the White House.
“You can go in with all the strategy you want, but you have to sort of feel it out as the debate’s taking place,” Trump, 78, told Fox News’ Sean Hannity during a Sept. 4 town hall in Harrisburg, Pa.
After refusing to take part in a second debate with Harris, Trump told The Post Sept. 12 that he would advise Vance to “just be yourself” — before predicting that his running mate would be “fantastic.”
The vice presidential debate will be moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan and air at 9 p.m. ET.
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