When Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence debates his Democratic counterpart Tim Kaine Tuesday night, he will face the tougher challenge.

Pence will need to do his part to try to arrest Donald Trump’s slide in the polls since the first presidential debate, while also demonstrating he can play a key conservative leadership role that will come in handy whether he is elected vice president or becomes part of the post-Trump GOP soul-searching that will surely take place if Hillary Clinton wins.