Sen. JD Vance was seen as the more prepared candidate heading into Tuesday's vice-presidential debate against Gov. Tim Walz, according to political analysts David Axelrod and Claire McCaskill.

Vance's frequent appearances on media platforms have drawn attention, particularly when compared to Walz's more limited public engagements, and Axelrod -- a former Barack Obama adviser -- and McCaskill weighed in on how the two candidates had been preparing for the highly anticipated debate, with Democrats having attempted to manage expectations for Walz's performance, as Fox News reported.

Axelrod noted that Vance, chosen by former President Donald Trump, has been a regular presence on television and in interviews.

This constant media exposure, Axelrod suggested, has acted as a form of debate preparation for Vance. Walz, on the other hand, has been less visible, with his campaign staff having expressed worry about how this might affect his performance in the debate.

Concerns Over Walz’s Debate Performance

Walz’s campaign was preemptively lowering expectations for his debate showing. According to Axelrod, Walz’s team had been leaking information to the media, downplaying his debating skills.

The Democratic campaign was attempting to control the narrative, so any strong performance from Walz would be seen as a success.

Axelrod commented on the messaging from the Walz campaign, stating, “It’s interesting to me that the campaign has basically leaked over the last 24 hours, 'Well, he told us that he wasn’t a good debater.'”

This effort to reduce pressure on Walz is a strategic move ahead of the debate, which was moderated by CBS News anchors Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan.

Comparing Vance and Walz

Axelrod made a colorful comparison between the two candidates, likening the matchup to "a Labrador Retriever versus a coyote." He highlighted how Vance’s experience and media savvy could present a challenge for Walz, who is known more for his warmth and affability than his debating prowess. The question, Axelrod posited, is how that contrast would play out on stage.

Adding to the pressure is the fact that Trump and Vance have been far more active in media interviews than Harris and Walz. Since the Harris-Walz ticket was announced, the Republican side has conducted at least 60 media appearances, compared to just 21 by the Democrats.

This disparity led to heightened expectations for Vance’s performance, while Democrats continued to manage the public's anticipation of Walz.

McCaskill Shares Concerns About Expectations

McCaskill, a former senator and political commentator, echoed some of Axelrod’s concerns ahead of the debate. While she acknowledged that Vance has made controversial statements, particularly regarding women, McCaskill emphasized that his preparation and articulation in the debate would likely surpass those of Trump’s previous performances.

McCaskill expressed her worries about the high bar set for Walz. She warned that overestimating Walz’s debate performance could lead to disappointment. "I just think we need to lower expectations a little bit," McCaskill said, urging caution in how the public and the media view Walz ahead of the debate.

However, McCaskill left the door open for a surprising outcome, noting that Walz could still have delivered a strong showing. She recalled how Kamala Harris had a strong debate performance against Trump in previous debates and hoped Walz might do the same. “We can all be pleasantly surprised if I’m wrong and that Tim Walz just mops the floor with him,” McCaskill said optimistically.

Debate Moderation by High-Profile Journalists

The debate, which was moderated by Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan of CBS News, was closely watched, especially given the contrasting preparations of the two candidates. O'Donnell and Brennan are both seasoned journalists who have moderated major political events in the past. Their presence was meant to add weight to the debate, further increasing the pressure on the candidates to perform.

As the debate approached the difference in media engagement between the two candidates continued to be a focal point. Vance’s extensive media experience made him a formidable opponent, while Walz’s limited exposure prompted Democrats to dampen expectations.

Conclusion: Pre-Debate Jitters on Both Sides

As the vice-presidential debate drew near, analysts like David Axelrod and Claire McCaskill highlighted the contrasting preparations of JD Vance and Tim Walz. Vance's frequent media appearances have given him an edge, while the Democratic campaign has worked to lower expectations for Walz.

With the debate moderated by Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan, both candidates faced significant pressure to perform, and whether the performances delivered by the candidates will impact the election outcome in a significant way remains to be seen.