The VP debate is sometimes more memorable than the presidential debates.

The upcoming debate between Vice Presidential nominees Tim Walz and JD Vance is unlikely to garner as much attention as the debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump. However, historically, debates between running mates tend to be more confrontational, lively, entertaining, and impactful.

The vice presidential candidates are not as well-known as the presidential candidates.

In 1992, when Ross Perot selected him as his running mate, Rear Admiral James Stockdale posed the questions, "Who am I? Why am I here?"

"I am not a politician, and it is well-known, so do not anticipate me to employ the terminology of a Washington insider," Stockdale stated from his podium, positioned between future President Clinton's running mate, then-Sen. Al Gore, D-Tenn., and Vice President Dan Quayle.

As Gore and Quayle engaged in a heated argument, their words bounced back and forth in front of Stockdale. He remained mostly silent, but at one point, he interjected, saying, "I feel like I'm in the middle of a Ping-Pong match."

During the debate, moderator Hal Bruno of ABC News inquired if negative campaigning tactics were "essential." However, Stockdale claimed he did not catch the question.

Bruno was asked by Stockdale to repeat himself because Stockdale's hearing aid was not turned on, resulting in howls from the audience.

Sometimes the VP candidates must feel each other out.

John Edwards, D-N.C., was introduced to Dick Cheney, then-Vice President, for the first time when Cheney walked on stage during the 2004 VP debate.

Those at the top of the ticket are sometimes perceived as less down-to-Earth than their running mates.

"It's great to meet you," said Sarah Palin (R), the former Alaska Governor and 2008 VP nominee, as she shook hands with then-Senator Biden on stage in St. Louis. "May I call you Joe?"

The future president replied, "You can call me Joe," while smiling.

During the 2012 VP debate, Mr. Biden attempted to convey a "aw, shucks" persona by using lay language while engaging in barbs with GOP VP nominee and future House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc.

Ryan stated that when we appear vulnerable, our opponents become bolder in their attempts to challenge us.

The future President retorted, "That's a load of nonsense, if I may say so."

Palin employed the same tactic, incorporating expressions such as "doggone it" and giving the audience four winks to emphasize her points.

Vice Presidential debates are often stocked with wry humor.

During the 1996 presidential debate, Vice President Gore pledged that if his opponent, Jack Kemp, did not use any football stories, he would not share any of his own humorous stories about chlorofluorocarbon abatement.

Kemp, a former congressman and Housing and Urban Development Secretary, was also known for his views on global warming and environmental policy. He played quarterback for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills in the American Football League before it merged with the NFL.

During some of the debate prep, many people would pay to observe the discussions between Walz and Vance. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., has been observing Walz during the sessions with Vance. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has depicted Vance during his rehearsals with Walz.

In the Salt Lake City debate four years ago, former Vice President Mike Pence had a fly land on his head while he debated Vice President Harris.

But Vice Presidential debates do grow testy.

The Vice President's repeated declaration "I'm speaking" during the 2020 Harris/Pence debate is what many people remember most.

During the 2016 debate, Sen. Mike Pence, R-Ind., and Democratic VP nominee Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., engaged in a heated exchange.

In the first televised VP debate in Houston in 1976, Bob Dole, the GOP Vice Presidential nominee and future Senate Majority Leader, characterized World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam as "Democrat wars." He also stated that the pardon of Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal were now in the past.

"Sen. Dole has earned his reputation as a hatchet man tonight, according to future Vice President and then-Sen. Walter Mondale, D-Minn," said Sen. Mondale.

In 1984, George H.W. Bush's condescending remarks towards Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to run on a major party ticket, angered female voters.

Bush said, "I can assist you, Miss Ferraro, in understanding the distinction between Iran and the embassy in Lebanon."

Ferraro retorted, "First of all, I almost resent your patronizing attitude that you have to teach me about foreign policy, Vice President Bush."

By that point, the congresswoman had nearly six years of service in the House.

In the 1988 campaign, Quayle, Bush 41's running mate, was mocked by the press and some members of the public due to his youthful appearance and frequent verbal mistakes. Despite being only 41 years old at the time, Quayle had already served nearly eight years in the Senate and four in the House. To counteract his perceived inexperience, Quayle often used his youth as a way to connect with the American people, similar to how late President "Jack Kennedy" did.

In contrast to Quayle, the 1988 Vice Presidential nominee and Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, D-Tex., appeared composed, regal, and unwavering. Bentsen and his advisors were cognizant of Quayle's "Jack Kennedy" likenesses. Consequently, during the Omaha, Neb., debate, Bentsen strategically waited for Quayle to provoke his own downfall.

Quayle stated that he has more experience than many who ran for Vice President of this country, and his experience in Congress is comparable to Jack Kennedy's when he ran for president.

Bentsen pounced.

"I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy," said Bentsen.

The auditorium erupted into hales of applause and shouts.

Quayle stewed, staring daggers at his Senate colleague.

"That was really uncalled for, Senator," fumed Quayle.

For decades, Bentsen's line has been parodied on various shows such as Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock.

JFK and Bentsen were both members of the House in the late 1940s and early 1950s, but they never served together in the Senate.

The one-liners in vice presidential debates often overshadow the actual nominee, despite running mates having two responsibilities: demonstrating readiness for the main job and not overshadowing the nominee.