The VP Choice: Vance vs. Walz (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE investigates the lives and views of Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz as they run for vice president.

“The VP Choice: Vance vs. Walz” offers an incisive examination of the two people vying to become second-in-command.

Drawing on interviews with those who know Vance and Walz well — friends, advisors, journalists and political insiders — the documentary traces how these two men from the middle of America found their opposing political voices and explores the ideas and influences they would bring to the White House.

The documentary delves into the formative role of Vance’s time at Yale Law School, and tracks his evolution from a “never-Trumper” to a leading figure of the “New Right” movement and now, former President Donald Trump’s running mate.

The documentary traces how Walz’s opposition to the Iraq War helped catalyze his entry into politics. It examines his political career from Congress to becoming governor of Minnesota and how he quickly rose to the top of the VP short list.

“The VP Choice: Vance vs. Walz” offers viewers a look at who Vance and Walz are and how they arrived at their dueling visions for what America should be.

“The VP Choice: Vance vs. Walz” is a FRONTLINE production with Schonder Productions and Left/Right Docs. The director is Gabrielle Schonder. The producers are Anya Bourg and Laura Kuhn. The writers are Anya Bourg, Gabrielle Schonder and James Jacoby. The editor-in-chief and executive producer of FRONTLINE is Raney Aronson-Rath.

Explore reporting related to “The VP Choice: Vance vs. Walz” on our website:

#Election2024 #TimWalz #JDVance #Politics #Documentary

FRONTLINE is produced at GBH in Boston and is broadcast nationwide on PBS. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional support for FRONTLINE is provided by the Abrams Foundation, Park Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund, with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen. Support for “The Choice 2024” is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Prologue
02:06 - JD Vance’s Upbringing, Experiences at Yale Law School & Interest in Politics
07:20 - Tim Walz’s Upbringing, Experiences as a Teacher in Minnesota & Entry Into Politics
15:00 - “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance’s Early Views of Donald Trump & Entry Into the “New Right” Political Movement
25:01 - Walz’s Run for Governor of Minnesota, Shifting Views on Guns & Response to George Floyd’s Murder
34:29 - Vance’s Run for U.S. Senate in Ohio, Friendship With Donald Trump Jr. & Nomination as the Republican VP Candidate
43:42 - Walz’s Legislative Priorities as Minnesota Governor & Nomination as the Democratic VP Candidate
52:17 - Credits

[ewfisher]

I'm from Appalachia. The fact that JD has familial ties to the region makes me like him more, most political people ignor us.

[hello_its_me.]

Vance has a lot to be proud of. Though, listening to him, he's humble 100%. He will grow, learn, and adapt...and one day become POTUS

[tobilobaoluremi]

Tbh if pbs narrated my school work I would have been a valedictorian amazing as always ❤

[jessetorres]

Trivia note: 15 Vice Presidents have become President of The United States; 6 through their own run for President (John Adams Sr., Thomas Jefferson, Martin V. Buren, Richard M. Nixon, George Bush Sr., & Joe Biden), 8 from the death of their predecessor (John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Johnson, Chester A. Arthur, Theodore Rosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Harry S. Truman, & Lyndon B. Johnson), & 1 through the resignation of their predecessor (Gerald R. Ford). For all the jokes about how unimportant the Vice Presidency is/how little they actually do, it's important to remember that there's roughly a 1 in 3 chance (15 out of 49) they will become The President at some point.

[starilie]

These FRONTLINE documentaries have been amazing - I have binged so many!
Everyone is the world needs to watch these.

[aldriedominguez]

Wow! It's the first time having THE CHOICE for the vice presidential race. Great Job, PBS!

[sandracesar]

I started watching Vance when he was a venture capitalist and after he wrote the book and I read it, I really watched his career and when he showe up on the VP list, I knew Trump would pick him. He is going to be president one day soon I believe.

[_Novaya]

Wait, Frontline makes The Choice videos for the VP's too? Let's freaking go.

[scotty]

So they left out all of Walz trips to China that he was only an assistant coach etc. Etc.

[RADIUMGLASS]

Tim Walz super competitive? 😂 I am glad we have a vice president coming up who isn't almost 70 years old.

[byron]

I used to love Frontline documentaries and videos. But now I see how biased they can be and they clearly favor the Democrat side. We just want facts about information. Not steered towards your direction or political parties.

[dakotaborn]

Notice, PBS never viewed Walz saying, "I am a retired Command Sergeant Major!"

[Mrchickenwing]

Y’all are dropping these gems and I am here for it! 💙

[operationreciprocity]

***THE GOOD GUYS WON***
Blatantly showed how absolutely horrible Walz was on the wrong side of the George Floyd issue especially...but really every single issue.
He's a clown

[scottwalker]

I think it’s funny how frontline left a bunch of inconvenient truths out about Tim Waltz, and this is why the legacy media is on the way out

[julieanderson]

One of these men has positively affected countless people's lives. The ripple effect could never be measured.

[LeonardoDCatreo]

The Voice of this Narrator exudes credibility.

[Dusty_Blue_Sky]

Vance is presidential material. Down to earth, smart, and well spoken...and apparently more honest and less dodgy than Walz.

[MarkNevels-mk]

Waltz understands the working class??? He cant even load a shotgun. My 7 year old cant relate to that. He said "daddy does he know what hes doing is he missing parts?"

[lbennhtx]

Walz was a terrible choice. Just goofy as hell.