J. D. Vance’s Balancing Act

“I think he was speaking for me, but I really didn’t [discuss a federal abortion ban with Vance].”

Normally, that quote — of Donald Trump disowning his running mate’s vow that Trump would veto any federal abortion ban — would be big debate news. But it was overshadowed by media coverage of the debate’s more sensational moments. Regardless, J. D. Vance will face a tricky task come October 1, when he’s scheduled to face off with his Democratic counterpart, Tim Walz. The running-mate debate could end up playing out like Family Feud’s “Fast Money” round, in which the second contestant is routinely forced to will his team to victory, overcoming his teammates’ unsatisfactory first set of answers.