Will Vance and Walz draw audiences like the record-breaking Biden-Palin debate?

This election's drama has drawn boatloads of viewers to tune into some of the biggest political moments, will the same be true for the vice presidential debate?

Tuesday night, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio will face one another in New York City. The two have already been launching attacks from afar on the campaign trail, with Vance accusing Walz of stolen valor and Walz calling Vance "weird."

Vice presidential debates don't usually draw the same audiences as presidential debates, with the exception of 2008 when Joe Biden debated Sarah Palin, which was the most watched VP debate in history, according to Nielsen.

Vance's gaffes and declining favorability has drawn comparisons to Palin, and it's possible he will draw his own audience to the showdown.

"I don't think it's going to be as big as the Kamala-Donald show, but there's a lot of interest here," said Frank Sesno, professor and director of strategic initiatives at the GW School of Media and Public Affairs. "I think there's an open question as to whether Vance is a help or, hindrance, a liability for Trump."

More: What's it like to debate Tim Walz?

Looking back at vice presidential ratings changed over time

Nielsen measures the percentage of television-owning households that tuned in as a rating metric. The data does not capture people streaming online, but here is a look back at the ratings in recent elections:

• 2020 - Harris v. Pence 33.7% of households

• 2016 - Kaine v. Pence: 23.5%

• 2012 - Biden v. Ryan: 31.9%

• 2008 - Biden v. Palin: 41.7%

• 2004 - Cheney v. Edwards: 28.1%

• 2000 - Cheney v. Lieberman: 21%

More: How many people watched the Harris-Trump presidential debate?

Both candidates paint apocalyptic visions of future with the other side

Vice President Kamala Harris was largely declared the winner in her debate against Donald Trump, after baiting him into angry rants.

Sesno says more baiting may be in store for Walz and Vance as they try to back one another into a political corner. He also noted that both candidates are still introducing themselves to a national audience, so this debate is their chance to prove they are ready to be a heartbeat away from being president.

"Both sides are trying to be the defenders from those who would destroy the country," Sesno said "It's this very apocalyptic vision that each is trying to hang on the other."

But rhetorical boxing aside, there is a lot at stake for the American people.

"What is actually happening out there is that there really are issues that people are living," Sesno said. "So if it's just sloganeering, that's not gonna be enough and they know that."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vice presidential debate ratings: What to expect from Vance v. Walz