Democrats release new ad raising Vance's proximity to the presidency ahead of VP debate
This story was updated to add new information.
Hours before vice presidential nominees Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz take the debate stage, the Democrats released a new digital ad positioning Vance as "a heartbeat away" from the presidency if Republicans take the White House.
The ad paints Vance as "a danger to democracy" and an "extremist" due to his stance on abortion and ties to the authors of Project 2025. It also points to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's age and legal issues posing a risk to his ability to serve another four-year term.
"Debate night will be yet another reminder to voters about the stakes of this election, and a stark warning that a victory for Donald Trump could place Vance, America’s least favorite extremist, just a heartbeat away from the presidency,” Harris-Walz 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement, referring to the fact that a vice president is first in line to take over should anything happen to a sitting president.
The Trump-Vance campaign blamed Vice President Kamala Harris for issues on immigration and inflation.
"President Trump has repeatedly said he has nothing to do with Project 2025," senior advisor Danielle Alvarez said in an emailed statement. "Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are LYING because they have NOTHING else to offer the American people."
Debate live updates: What time is vice presidential debate tonight? Channel, watch online
Key VP debate issue covered in Sam Elliott ad: gender
In a recent ad by an anti-Trump group, the Lincoln Project, cowboy-esque actor Sam Elliott centered the growing gender issue in this election by encouraging voters to "be a man and vote for a woman."
Even before President Joe Biden dropped out of the election, abortion access was a mobilizing issue among Democratic-leaning women. With Harris taking over as the nominee, America faces its second opportunity in a decade to elect the first female president in U.S. history.
Trump's campaign has leaned into courting young male voters with appearances with influencers like Adin Ross, Logan Paul and Theo Von.
The gender divide is likely to become a part of Tuesday's vice presidential debate as well, as both vice presidential candidates display competing versions of the everyman. Vance has repeatedly come under scrutiny for his comments about "childless cat ladies," while Walz, a supporter of reproductive rights, has played up the classic dad angle.
Watch the VP debate:
Tune into the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 9 p.m. ET on CBS or simulcast on www.usatoday.com.
Contributing: Phillip M. Bailey, Joey Garrison, Francesca Chambers