Americans who watched the vice presidential debate between Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance were in for a big surprise: a cordial tone and an emphasis on ideas the two have in common.

Walz, who is Vice President Kamala Harris¡¯ running mate, and Vance, who is former President Donald Trump¡¯s vice presidential pick, shared what might be called a ¡°Midwestern nice¡± approach to Tuesday night¡¯s more than 90-minute discourse.

They shook hands at the start and lingered afterward to introduce their wives. It was a welcome relief for some U.S. voters unhappy with the tenor of politics in the run-up to the Nov. 5 election.